Newmai News Network Aizawl | November 4 Simmering tension has prevailed in poll-bound Mizoram after major civil society organizations intensified their demand that Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), SB Shashank leaves the State by Monday. The civil society organisations are threatening mass protests if their demand is not met by Monday. NGO Co-ordination Committee, an umbrella body of major civil society and student organizations demanded that the CEO is removed from his office "on the ground that the latter has failed to carry out his duty in a direction towards having free and fair election". Young Mizo Association (YMA) general secretary, Lalhmachhuana said that they will picket the CEO office and block him from attending office from Tuesday if he fails to leave Mizoram before 5 pm on Monday. The decision was taken at the meeting between leaders of YMA and various branches of YMA in the state capital on Saturday night, he said. The YMA leader further said that it will resort to different forms of protest till the CEO leaves Mizoram. Election to the 40-member Assembly will be held on November 28. The results will be declared on December 11. Meanwhile, the state government has tightened security in the state capital following the demand for exit of the CEO. Additional security personnel have been deployed at the CEO office and his official residence since Thursday night, a senior police officer said, adding that security was also tightened in various places of Aizawl following the Committee’s demands.
