Andhra SEC removes secretary Vani Mohan from duties

In what could be termed as a drastic action, Andhra Pradesh State Election Commissioner (SEC) Nimmagadda Ramesh Kumar relieved IAS officer G Vani Mohan from the post of SEC secretary. Earlier, he had also removed SEC’s Joint Director Sai Prasad citing he was absent without intimation.

Amaravati: Andhra Pradesh State Election Commissioner (SEC) Nimmagadda Ramesh Kumar on Tuesday relieved IAS officer G Vani Mohan from the post of SEC secretary.

The SEC officially communicated to Chief Secretary Aditya Nath Das about it, however, the reason was not yet clear for relieving her.

Earlier on Monday, Ramesh had dismissed SEC’s Joint Director Sai Prasad citing he was absent without intimation.

This is the first time in the Commission's history that such drastic action has been taken, said an official.

SEC Ramesh Kumar also met governor Biswabhusan Harichandan at Raj Bhavan and made him abreast of upcoming gram panchayat elections. He also assured the government that there will not be any hindrance in the vaccination process due to the elections, the official said.

It may be mentioned here that amid the tussle with the Andhra Pradesh government over local body elections, State Election Commissioner N Ramesh Kumar had on Friday announced the schedule of elections of gram panchayats in four phases beginning February 5.

The government has been raising objections regarding local body elections including gram panchayat polls. The government has said that the officials would be engaged in the vaccination programme and the conduct of elections would not be possible.

Polling will be held on February 5, 9, 13 and 17. Voting will take place from 6.30 am to till 3.30 pm. The counting of votes will also be done over through the four phases.