PANJIM: The Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) has referred the complaint regarding the appointment of Deputy Chief Ministers by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, in violation of the model code of conduct, to the Election Commission of India (ECI).

CEO has already obtained the State government’s say in the matter and the same has been forwarded to ECI, who would take a decision accordingly.

Congress leader Trajano D’Mello, has also filed a complaint stating that appointment of two DY CMs- Sudin Dhavlikar and Vijai Sardesai, is in violation of code of conduct and demanded that the order of appointment be immediately set aside.

D’Mello, in an additional complaint, said that while Dhavalikar had been sacked, the CM had issued a fresh order appointing Manohar Azgaonkar as Dy CM.

Speaking to Herald, Additional CEO Narayan Sawant said that the complaint, along with the reply from General Administration Department, has been forwarded to ECI for the decision.

“Now, ECI will have to decide whether the appointment was within the ambit of code or is in violation,” he said.