Team Herald
PANJIM: A few hundred policemen might miss casting their ballot votes for the Assembly elections, held on February 14. With no arrangement in place to ensure personnel of the Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB) cast their votes before travelling to Uttar Pradesh on election duty, has raised apprehensions they could miss voting.
“The IRB personnel (along with the Goa Police and the Central Armed Police Force) were on rigorous duty from February 13 and were relieved around 10-11am of February 15. They had to rush to board a special train for Uttar Pradesh hours later. How could they vote from their respective polling stations or before any designated officer?” asked one of them en route to the largest State of India.
Ten companies comprising of 950 approx personnel reached their destination on Thursday, February 17 evening, after a two-day long journey. Majority of them confirmed they haven’t voted.
The IRB’s requisition was sought as a part of the routine election duty to poll-bound states. They will be posted on duty till the last phase of elections on March 7. Apparently, there is no communiqué about when they will be relieved from the duty. The duration of the rail travel could also snatch their opportunity to vote.
“March 9, counting eve is the last day for ballot voting. However, since their relieving date is not certain, their return to Goa in time is also not sure… Even if any arrangement to cast their vote from their duty point is made, how can anyone guarantee secrecy or tamper-free while en route to Goa via post? If the personnel are relief after the fourth phase of the polls, there is a chance,” said another.
Herald has also learnt that Office of the Chief Electoral Officer has made arrangements for government employees on election duty to vote by postal ballot. But for those on outstation duty, the arrangement might not suffice.
“It is the responsibility of each and every individual to apply for the postal ballot if he/she is on government duty. If they have applied, they have right to vote till March 9 but if they haven’t applied, then they cannot vote,” Additional CEO Narayan Sawant said.
