Teachers With Postal Votes Missing Out on Exercising Franchise: Poll Duty

Hyderabad: Several teachers and professors in the city, engaged in election duty for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, are facing a dilemma as they have not been able to cast their votes via the postal ballot, even as only two days remain for polling on Monday. Expressing concern, they worry about losing their fundamental right while in the midst of fulfilling their responsibilities towards the electoral process.

One such assistant professor from the Jawaharlal Nehru Architecture and Fine Arts University shared her disappointment, saying, "It's disheartening to see that despite being an integral part of the election process, we are unable to exercise our basic right. We spend months preparing for these duties, only to find ourselves unable to participate in the democratic process."

Similarly, Ravi Kumar, a school teacher, told Deccan Chronicle, "As teachers, we are committed to upholding democratic values and educating youth about the importance of voting. It's ironic that we are now being deprived of our right to vote."

Shashi Kiran, another assistant professor involved in training teachers for their election duty, said, "At least people like myself will find a couple of hours' to go and cast vote but those who are posted far away from their constituencies don't enjoy such a privilege."

Adding to the concern, government doctors on emergency duty also raised their voices, fearing they might not be able to cast their votes.

Dr Prakash Reddy, a senior government physician, said, "While we understand the importance of emergency services, it's sad to think that we might not be able to exercise our right to vote. We urge the authorities to provide us with alternatives to ensure that we are not disenfranchised."

Around 2,64,043 employees had applied for postal ballot/EDC. Of them, 2,29,072 have opted for postal ballot, while 34,973 preferred EDC. Meanwhile, only 14,292 out of 18,259 officers, who opted for postal ballot at the three voter facilitation centers (VFCs) in the city, have exercised their right to vote.

"It is a repeat of December 2023. Even this year we filled form 12 but were met with various issues from our names missing to logistical issues regarding VFC stations" said another professor.

He added that several requests to ensure polling happens at the distribution and receptions centres (DRCs) in the early hours of the polling day but in vain.

The issue has raised questions about the electoral system's preparedness to address the needs of those on essential duties during elections, calling for more flexible voting arrangements, such as extended postal ballot facilities or alternative voting options, to ensure that those serving the nation in various capacities are not deprived of their democratic rights.