People congregated in large numbers in front of Mizoram Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) S B Shashank's office Tuesday following a call by an umbrella organisation of major civil societies and student associations to picket his office demanding his removal.
The NGO Coordination Committee had sought Shashank's exit from the state by Monday evening, shortly after the Election Commission (EC) removed state's principal secretary (Home) Lalnunmawia Chuaungo.
A section of media said Shashank had complained to the EC that Chuaungo was interfering in the poll process.
"As people have lost faith in him, the only solution for smooth conduct of the Assembly elections 2018 now would be removal of CEO S B Shashank from office forthwith," Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi Monday.
Elections to the 40-member Mizoram Assembly are scheduled for November 28.
Police said the CEO was at home and did not come to his office.
The conglomerate, which had Friday demanded that Shashank leave Mizoram by Monday evening, decided to picket before the CEO's office, which is located at Treasury Square, from Tuesday and not allow him to attend office.
The NGO Coordination Committee also appealed to the Federation of Mizoram Government Employees and Workers (FMGEW) to support the agitation and cease work from Tuesday.
All shops in Aizawl city, except a few restaurants, were closed Tuesday morning in response to a call made by the Mizoram Merchants' Association (MiMA).
The protesters demanded the ouster of Shashank, who, they alleged have hurt the sentiments of the Mizo people by his "pro-Bru" stance for conducting the elections.
The civil society bodies have appealed to the owners of commercial vehicles not to allow their vehicles to be used for transporting central paramilitary forces from outside the state to Mizoram.
Vehicles bound for Assam to transport the Central Armed Police Forces were stopped by volunteers of a prominent non-governmental organisation in Mizoram since Monday, police said.
The 76 vehicles, sent by the State Election Department to transport the CAPF personnel, were halted by volunteers of the Young Mizo Association (YMA) at Kolasib and Kawnpui towns, bordering Assam.
Most of the vehicles have returned to Aizawl, police said.
Earlier Monday, the CEO told a press meet here that he was just fulfilling his responsibilities in accordance with the instructions of the EC.
The EC, in its Friday's order, had said, "... the Election Commission is satisfied that the continuance of Mr. Lalnunmawia Chuaungo as principal Secretary (Home), in state government of Mizoram will have adverse impact on conduct of smooth, free and fair election process in Mizoram."
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