Staff crunch in poll wing

Statesman News Service

MALDA, April 14: District election officials are facing difficulties in arranging for the required number of polling staff, as a large number of school teachers are affiliated to political parties.

Some school teachers with appointment letters for election duty have been found to be elected members of various panchayats. “It is very difficult to identify whether a teacher is an elected member of a civic body if the headmasters does not mention this fact in the list before sending it to the administration,” said Mr Sridhar Ghosh, Malda district magistrate. At present, at least 12,070 polling personnel are required, including 20 per cent reserved staff. Besides this number, at least 350 micro-observers will be appointed to monitor polling stations. A total of 2,421 polling stations will be collecting votes in Malda district.

The number of sensitive booths is yet to identified. Nearly 250 digital camera men will be deployed in the Malda district to record the poll day from various booths. According to the district magistrate, six Central observers have already arrived here and will be deployed in two parliamentary constituencies in Malda district. For security reasons, a total of 223 sector offices will be set up in 12 Assembly Constituencies of the district. The Malda SP is making preparations for a sufficient number of Central forces. At least 20 to 25 CPMF companies will be required for the district.

South Malda parliamentary constituency comprises seven Assembly segments, two of which fall under Murshidabad district. Vote counting will be held at Malda College. The Murshidabad district administration will send EBMs to Malda College from Farakka and Samserganj Assembly segments after the completion of polling.

Two venues have been selected for vote counting in North Malda parliamentary constituency. Malda Polytechnic has been selected for the counting of votes cast in three Assembly segments. Chanchal, the sub-divisional head quarters for north Malda, will host the counting of votes from the remaining four Assembly segments. Election officials have requisitioned boats, tractors and Shaktiman trucks to send polling personnel to islands and remote villages, due to bad conditions of the roads. The presiding officers will be allowed to keep their own cell phone, only if it is switched off.