Sirsa: The sub-divisional magistrate (SDM)-cum-returning officer (RO) of Kalanwali assembly constituency has recommended suspension of assistant RO (ARO) of Baraguda for remaining absent from election duty. RO Nirmal Nagar has written to the Sirsa deputy commissioner-cum-district election officer (DEO) that ARO Om Prakash, who is the block development and panchayat officer (BDPO) of Baraguda, left the station without permission.
Nagar said instructions were issued to the ARO to be at the control room by 5am on Monday, but he was not present even after 5.45am. He said when an official called on Prakash’s mobile phone, the latter informed that he was in Fatehabad and would join the duty in some time.
The Kalanwali RO said the ARO had committed gross negligence by leaving the station without permission. “His absence caused a lot of hindrance in the discharge of election duties,” he said. tnn