CEO J-K suspends 21 govt employees for taking part in election campaigns

Jammu, Sep 23: The Chief Electoral Office of J&K on Monday suspended 21 government employees and five casual labourers after they were found taking part in different election campaigns, reports said.

“Acting swiftly on detailed ground inquiry reports, 21 employees found involved in political campaigning have been placed under suspension while 5 ad hoc employees including casual labourers and others against whom the charges of involvement in political campaigning were proved have been disengaged", an official communique from J&K Chief Electoral Officer said.

Meanwhile, 20 employees have been shifted out of the offices where they were posted and attached with other offices to ensure that they do not indulge in such behaviour which raises suspicion of their involvement in campaigning or favouring any particular party/candidate, news agency KNO reported.

The CEO further informed that notices have been issued to 15 employees against whom the complaints of involvement in campaigning have been received and their cases are under investigation.

Besides, about 51 complaints have been closed as the detailed inquiry proved that that they were not involved in political campaigning, it said.