The Election Commission on Monday suspended 20 polling personnel for their suspected role in connection with the electoral malpractices at booth No. 339 and 340 in Munger Lok Sabha constituency where election took place in fourth phase on April 29.

The NDA candidate Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh (JD-U) is pitted against mahagathbandhan (grand alliance) nominee Neelam Devi (Congress) who is the wife of don-turned-neta Anant Singh.

Mr Anant Singh, had earlier, alleged that the NDA candidate who is said to be close to chief minister Nitish Kumar, was putting pressure on mukhias (village heads) in the constituency through local administrative officials to manage booths in his favour.

However, on the polling day when journalists of a national television news channel had gone to cover the poll on booth No. 339 & 340 under Halsi police station of Lakhisarai on April 29, they were brutally beaten up and thrashed allegedly the supporters of NDA candidate. They charged that local village head had captured the booth in favour of the NDA candidate.

Later, the Chief Electoral Officer, Bihar, had cancelled polling on these booths and ordered re-polling which is being held on Monday (May 6). “Total 20 polling personnel, including presiding officers, polling officers, magistrates and police personnel have been suspended for their involvement in electoral malpractices at these two polling booths”, said Bihar Chief Electoral Officer H R Srinivas. Mr Srinivas had also ordered an inquiry into the incident in which journalists were beaten up.