Woman poll official removed for wearing face mask with CPI-M symbol

Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 8 (IANS) A woman official was relieved of poll duty in Kollam district on Tuesday morning after complains that she wore a face mask with CPI-M poll symbol during the first phase of local body elections.Supporters of Kollam District Congress Committee officially registered their protest even as the official changed her face mask.State Election Commission later directed the Kollam District Collector to relieve her from her duty at booth number 1 at Johns Cashew factory near Kollam.Polling began for local body polls in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha and Idukki districts at 7 am and will end at 6 pm. The results will decide the fate of 24,584 candidates.The second phase of the polls will be held on December 10 and the last phase on December 14.–IANSsg/tsb