ECI suspended 18 Tripura govt staff for participating in poll campaigns

With two more Tripura government employees suspended on Sunday, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has so far suspended a total of 18 state government staff for participating in political events and election campaigns in violations of the model code of conduct (MCC).

In its latest, one Group-D employee of state government identified as Bijoy Krishna Das Goswami, posted as night guard at Bagafa public library under Santorbazar subdivision of South Tripura district was suspended by violation of MCC.  As per the investigation report of the head librarian of Birchandra State Central Library, night guard Bijoy Krishna Das Goswami had participated in an election campaign of a political party and as per the order of Director of Higher Education department, Das Goswami was suspended.

Another videographer of the Information and Cultural Affairs (ICA) department, Rajesh Kumar Ghosh was suspended on Sunday by the respective authorities following the directions of the Election Commission.

Earlier the poll panel suspended 16 government staff including teachers, Tripura State Rifles (TSR) personnel, Special Police Officer (SPO), polling officials and cautioned several sector magistrates and presiding officers.

Polling for the Tripura West Lok Sabha seat was held in the first phase on Friday (April 19) and the voting for the Tripura East (ST) parliamentary constituency would be held in the second phase on April 26.