New Delhi, Sep 14 - The Election Commission Monday ordered the suspension of a district magistrate and a superintendent of police in Madhya Pradesh for dereliction of duty during last week's by-elections in the state.

The district magistrate and the superintendent of police were posted in Bhind and were involved in the Sep 10 by-election in the Gohad assembly constituency, the poll panel said in a statement.

'The commission had earlier received complaints about ineffectiveness and partisan behaviour of these officers,' it said.

'The commission observed that it would not accept any partisan behaviour or negligence in election related duties from any quarter.'

Following the complaints, the poll panel had issued show cause notices to the two senior officials and asked them to reply by Sep 11.

Before taking a decision, the poll panel had asked for separate reports from its observer and the chief electoral officer.

It said the substitute officials as recommended by the commission had taken charge.