Punjab: Fearing violence, officers are making excuses to avoid election duty

Punjab: Government officials, especially women, are trying their best to avoid election duty due to rising cases of violence ahead of panchayat elections. From visiting politicians to standing in queues outside the offices of their respective district electoral officers (DEOs), officials are looking for some way or the other to escape. Hundreds of government officials have given some excuses to the DEOs, one of which is “leave for sick/elderly parents, anxiety and pregnant wife.” As a result, most DEOs have “almost decided to sanction leave only for the death of a close relative or some urgent work.” An IAS officer said, “I have received 80 applications and have 50 messages on my phone. Everyone wants exemption from election duty.” To ensure that the applications are not rejected, officials are using their “connections” in the judiciary, media, police and political circles. While women officials want to stay away fearing violence, others fear the repercussions of any lapse on polling day. A school teacher on election duty said, “In the last elections, the Election Commission had sent a notice to my friend because he had given a clean chit to a liquor distributor. He is still struggling to save his life.” An employee of Punjabi University said, “There have been several firing incidents and more violence is expected on polling day. Why should we risk our lives?” Most DEOs said they had exempted some officers with genuine problems. “We have warned officers who come to us on baseless grounds. Strict action will be taken against those who do not come on election duty,” they said.