SEC Orders Suspension Of College Principal, SDPO For Poll Code Violation In Odisha

Bhubaneswar: The State Election Commission (SEC) on Tuesday recommended the suspension of a college principal and a sub-divisional police officer (SDPO) after a video of a meeting held at the college went viral on social media.

The meeting was organised at Maa Tarini Mahavidyalaya at Mahakalpada in Kendrapara district. It was reportedly held to canvas support for the upcoming gram panchayat elections.

The SEC recommended the suspension of Bikash Dash, the college principal, for organising a political meeting and violating the poll code. With the announcement of poll dates, the Model Code of Conduct has already come into force.

The SEC also asked the district Collector to register a case against the principal.

It also recommended the suspension of Salepur SDPO Prasant Majhi for being present at the meeting. Majhi claimed it was a family function.

The recommendations were made by the SEC following a report by the Kendrapara district Collector.