Thiruvananthapuram:  A presiding officer who wore a mask printed with a party symbol in the midst of polling duty was suspended by the state election commissioner.

Polling officer K Saraswathi who was on duty at the 4th ward at the Kottakara gramapanchayat at Velankonam Johns Cashew Factory polling booth during the first phase polling was suspended for wearing a mask with a sickle, hammer and star symbol of the CPM.

Congress workers had raised criticism over the act and she was removed from duty after a complaint was lodged and a preliminary inquiry.