The Election Commission (EC) ordered immediate removal of a Principal Secretary (Home) Lalnunmawia Chuaungo accused of meddling in revision of electoral rolls in poll-bound Mizoram. Chuaungo, a 1987-batch Gujarat-cadre IAS officer, has been serving in Mizoram on an inter-cadre deputation from Gujarat.

The decision came in the wake of a complaint filed by the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Mizoram, SB Shashank who accused Chuaungo  of “direct interference” by the State Government in preparation for the November 28 Assembly polls.

“The Election Commission is satisfied that the continuance of  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," the EC order States.  The order of the EC signed by Secretary SB Joshi also stated that the poll panel in Delhi also approved the name of Lalrinliana Fazai , a 1997 batch AGMUT cadre officer to be the new Secretary (home). The election commission decision sparked off protests from political and civil society Mizo groups.

On October 29, Shashank had written to EC complaining about interference by Chuaungo in revision of electoral rolls of Bru refugees from Mizoram residing in Tripura and had asked for his removal from the present post.  The CEO has cited interference of the department of home affairs in the electoral revision process by asking the District Election Officers not to consider the identification slips for any purpose other than repatriation of refugees. The Mizoram Government, Shashank is learnt to have said, did not seem keen to have any new Bru voters enrolled.

The EC also directed that he should be relieved of his current responsibilities with immediate effect and not be assigned any work related to the state till the elections are over. In its Friday order, the EC observed that a series of incidents had happened in Mizoram causing concern about completion of summary revision of electoral rolls and successful conduct of free and fair polls.

It mentioned of how enrolment forms of Bru voters were stolen in August 23 and how the Mizoram government directed that identity slips issued to Bru families (which were being used to identify eligible voters) were declared not to be used for enrolment.

The EC noted how Chuaungo gave "evasive replies" on why the direction regarding identity slips was issued. It also mentioned how the IAS officer questioned deployment of central armed police force for the polls.

"Provisions would be made during future elections to the Lok Sabha and the legislative assembly of Mizoram for exercise of franchise within Mizoram by Bru (Reang) voters living in Tripura enrolled in voter lists in Mizoram," the EC order had stated.

More than 32,000 Brus had fled from three districts in Mizoram following ethnic clashes in 1997 and have been living in relief camps in Tripura. Several political parties and groups in Mizoram feel they should not be allowed to cast votes for the assembly polls in the relief camps in Tripura.