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Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Preparations for the Lok Sabha elections are going on in full swing. This time the elections will be held in seven phases, the voting process will run from April 19 to June 1. Counting of votes will take place on June 4. The Election Commission requires a large number of employees to conduct elections and these employees are drawn from various government departments, government school teachers, nationalized banks and various enterprises including public sector undertakings including LIC. The polling teams include presiding officers and polling officers, sector and zonal officers, micro observers, assistant expenditure observers, drivers, conductors and cleaners of polling vehicles etc.
Persons posted on election duty will not be able to remain absent.
In all the states and union territories of the country, security and law and order personnel, sector and zonal officers, returning officers, assistant returning officers, district election officers and their staff assist in the elections in their respective districts. Persons deployed on election duty will not be able to remain absent. In case of absence, punishment is given by the Election Commission.
Whose duty is imposed during elections?
Only those employees who are permanent employees of the Center or the State can be deputed for election work. Even after this, if necessary, the employees are put on deputation after retirement. No kind of contract or daily wage work can be given in election work. If both husband and wife are government employees, then one of them can be exempted from election duty. Couples can apply for exemption from duty on account of caring for children or their elderly parents.
Punishment can be up to six months
In every election, Presiding Officer, Polling Officer First, Polling Officer Second and Polling Officer Third play an important role. If an officer or employee intentionally remains absent from election duty, it falls under the category of non-cognizable case. Apart from departmental action, legal action can also be taken against such officer-employee under Section 128 of the Representation of the People Act 1951. Under this, there is a provision of six months' imprisonment if found guilty.
Who can get exemption?
There are only four reasons for cancellation of election duty of a government employee. For this, the concerned employee will have to present valid evidence before his superiors. Orders for exemption from election duty can be passed only by the District Election Officer (DEO). In most of the districts, the District Collector is designated as the DEO as per Section 13AA of the Representation of the People Act, 1950. As per the Act, he will report to the Chief Electoral Officer who will supervise, direct and control the appointed DEO. Which in turn oversees the district election operations.
duty at two different places
If an employee is assigned duty at two different places, he can request for cancellation of duty at one place as it is impossible for him to be present at both the places.
political party affiliation
Another criterion is political affiliation. If an employee is associated with a particular political party, the person can claim exemption by citing his political affiliation. The person will have to submit proof of his affiliation with the political party to the senior officials concerned and it will be sent to the DEO for further action.
Advance booking for foreign travel
If you have already planned a trip abroad which coincides with the Lok Sabha election date, you can ask for cancellation of election duty. The problem here is that the tour must be booked in advance. The ticket and visa issued must be presented as proof of travel.
heart or serious illness
Persons suffering from heart disease or serious illness may also be excused from election duty, affecting their work. In this case also, the concerned employee will have to submit all the necessary medical certificates.