Amid reports of Mizoram's chief electoral officer (CEO) SB Shashank's removal, the Election Commission (EC) has started the process of finding an alternative to Mizoram chief electoral officer, who is facing a massive agitation for his ouster by a conglomerate of civil society and student organisations.

The EC has sought a panel of names from State chief secretary for the post of CEO. This is a clear indication that the Commission is likely to replace Shashank.  Mizoram Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, demanding Shashank's removal following the sacking of Principal Secretary (Home) Lalnunmawia Chuaungo.

Responding to a query, EC spokesperson said that in a meeting held on Saturday, the poll panel has "only decided to call for a panel of names for the post of State CEO from chief secretary of Mizoram."

The spokesperson said "next steps" will "only be taken after receiving the report of the team led by Deputy Election Commissioner Sudip Jain". On Friday, the EC had rubbished the reports of Shashank's removal. When asked,  Mizoram CEO Shashank refused to comment on the development.

Earlier, the EC had constituted a high-level team led by Deputy Election Commissioner (DEC) Sudeep Jain to discuss various issues related to upcoming Assembly polls in the State. State chief electoral officer S B Shashank had reportedly sought deployment of additional central armed police forces (CAPF) in the state and complained to the EC that the state's former principal secretary Lalnunmawia Chuaungo was interfering with the poll process.

Chuaungo had been removed following Shashank's complaint to the ECI about the interference of the state in the ensuing Assembly elections. Shashank also brought to the notice of the commission of Chuaungo's alleged involvement in the revision of the electoral rolls and using the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF).  The people of Mizoram have been protesting against Shashank, alleging that he is biased in conducting the elections due on November 28. Results of the elections will be declared on December 11.

The civil society groups had launched a gherao of the CEO's  office and described him as 'a Bru sympathiser.'   It also said that principal secretary for home Lalnunmawia Chuaungo, who was transferred following a complaint from Shashank that he was interfering with the poll process was a Mizo hero, who had been wronged by the EC .

Over 30,000 Brus were displaced from Mizoram 21 years ago following ethnic clashes, with many of them living in six camps in the Kanchanpur and Panisagar sub-divisions of North Tripura. The Brus want polling booths set up on the camps, saying that they feared a law-and-order problem if they went to Mizoram to vote. But civil society groups in Mizoram say no electoral process of the state should be conducted outside. Mizoram is the only State in north east where the Congress is in the power.