Srinagar: Chairman Employees Joint Consultative Committee Aijaz Ahmad Khan on Monday sought immediate orders from Lt Governor and Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) , Jammu & Kashmir for proper security, food and accommodation of the polling staff in the ongoing phases of DDC elections in Jammu & Kashmir.
In a statement issued her on Monday urged the Lt Governor Maoj Sinha and Chief Electoral Officer Jammu & Kashmir Hridesh Kumar to ensure that no inconvenience is faced by Government employees and teachers, who play a crucial role in the conduct of elections while discharging their duties during elections. Saying that the Government Employees of Jammu and Kashmir have always played a key role in the smooth conduct of elections but some employees are wary of poll duty because of being hosts of challenges they come across during the exercise, the EJCC Chairman said apart from facing difficulties in reaching polling booths in remote areas, non-availability of food in interior locations is a concern for employees. He said that some employees are reluctant to go on election duty as they are informed about the location of polling booth where they are deputed only a day before the polling date. Saying that “What if it is an interior place? Not just that, we are expected to find our way there without much help,” Khan said “in many cases, family members of government employees and teachers are opposing their deputation at polling booths where transport serviceis not provided by the Election Commission and instead officials are asked to make their own arrangements to reach the booths”.
Khan said “once the polling is completed, vehicles with paramilitary personnel would collect only the EVMs and officials are to manage travel arrangement for their return to home themselves after completing their poll duty in the late afternoon hours”, adding that “we are willing to work and it is our duty too but we should be treated properly.”
Khan further said “Some of us are not used to election work. While we may be open to being trained, the Election Commission does not take care of our travel to the polling booth,” adding that “administration headed by Lieutenant Governor J&K must issue necessary orders for proper security arrangements for the polling staff viz. Govt. employees and teachers etc who leave their homes and devote themselves for the smooth conduct of elections. He also demanded additional one month salary to government employees discharging their duties in smooth conduct of elections in Jammu & Kashmir.
