The District Election Office (DEO) in Pune has launched a sweeping crackdown on government employees found neglectful in carrying out their election duties, issuing show cause notices to a staggering 7,000 individuals for dereliction of duty.
Widespread Negligence Uncovered
The DEO’s action comes in response to a concerning trend of government personnel, spanning from clerks to officials across various ranks, shirking their election responsibilities and providing false excuses to evade mandatory training exercises. These lapses pose significant challenges to the seamless conduct of elections and underscore the critical importance of ensuring a well-trained and committed workforce.
Stringent Measures by Election Officer
Dr. Suhas Diwase, the district collector and election officer, emphasized the necessity of adequate manpower for the electoral process and stressed the pivotal role of trained personnel on polling day. Expressing concern over absenteeism during training sessions, Dr. Diwase underscored the DEO’s commitment to enforcing attendance protocols, particularly in preparation for the upcoming phases of voting. Strict vigilance will be maintained, with decisive action to be taken against absentees.
Disciplinary Action Initiated
In a decisive move, the district administration has initiated the suspension of six government employees, including teachers, lower-rung staff, and officials, for providing false reasons for their absence from election training duties. Despite prior warnings issued by the district election authority, these individuals failed to comply, prompting the suspension proposal.
Adherence to Election Commission Guidelines
The Election Commission (EC) mandates stringent disciplinary measures for officers and staff deployed for election duties, including suspension for insubordination or dereliction of duty. The EC’s directives emphasize prompt action by disciplinary authorities and stress the importance of communicating outcomes within a specified timeframe.
Unprecedented Voter Turnout
Pune district, comprising four parliamentary constituencies, faces the monumental task of managing a large voter base. With nearly one lakh fresh registrations and an increased tally of polling stations reaching 8,213, the demand for trained manpower has surged. The planning department of the district administration has been actively engaged in training initiatives since November 2023, harnessing the expertise of government and semi-government personnel.
As the electoral process unfolds, the DEO remains committed to upholding the integrity of the democratic process, ensuring that all stakeholders adhere to their duties with diligence and accountability.
