MCD Helpline flooded with calls on polls

For the past two days, Vinod Dabas’ (38) phone has been ringing non-stop. Aspiring candidates for the MCD elections and the general public have been calling him round the clock to get poll related information.

For the past two days, Vinod Dabas’ (38) phone has been ringing non-stop. Aspiring candidates for the MCD elections and the general public have been calling him round the clock to get poll related information.

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On an average, he has received 300 calls in a single day, with some people calling him as early as 6am.

The increased workload has forced Dabas to request for additional staff. “I was woken up with a phone call today, and since then my phone has not stopped ringing. While some aspiring candidates called to know whether they could download the form, others wanted to details on the election code of conduct. I’ve requested the commissioner to assign more staff so I can handle the situation better,” said Dabas, superintendent, State Election Commission.

“The situation will just become more challenging in the coming days, and one person will not be able to entertain all calls properly,” he added.

Apart from four helpline numbers launched by the commission, somehow Dabas’ mobile number has also become public knowledge.

“We need to put additional staff on job, as the number of calls has been increasing everyday. Right from candidates to residents’ welfare associations, everyone has been calling on the helpline numbers,” said Rakesh Mehta, state election commissioner.

The State Election Commission is also planning to set up a separate tent within the premises that will serve as the main office for such enquiries from the public.

The helpline staff will also operate from there.

Elections for three municipal corporations will be held on April 15 and counting on April 17.