FIRs to be filed against govt employees caught napping during poll duty

The development came after some of the ROs complained about government employees, who have not joined election duty, even though voting will be held on October 15, which is less than a month away.

Any negligence or failure to perform election duties by government employees will not be taken lightly during this election.

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The Mumbai suburban district collector, who is also the district election officer, directed returning officers (RO) in the suburbs to file a First Information Report (FIR) against such employees.

In addition, the collector has asked all 26 ROs from 26 assembly constituencies in the city’s suburbs to take action against the department heads of various government offices that have not relieved their employees for election duty.

The development came after some of the ROs complained about government employees, who have not joined election duty, even though voting will be held on October 15, which is less than a month away.

Shekhar Channe, the suburban collector, said “The election process is huge task, which will be difficult to carry out if assigned employees do not do their job properly. So I have asked ROs to take action against inefficient employees under section 134 of the Representation of the People Act, for not joining election duty even after intimations and notices.”

Channe also asked ROs to take ask the police for help with reluctant employees.

Meanwhile, officials close to development said such strict action will be taken only in rare cases.