Shillong: The West Garo Hills district administration has decided to initiate disciplinary action against six poll personnel who have failed to turn up for their duties in the Tura Lok Sabha constituency.
This was informed by WGH Deputy Commissioner Pravin Bakshi who is also the returning officer for the constituency. The possible punishment under Section 134 of the Representation of People’s Act for breach of official duty in connexion with election could be, however, fine up to Rs 500.
In all, there were 22 polling personnel who did not report for duty within the stipulated time, but these six had been assigned the crucial duty of presiding officers, but they had failed to attend training as well as actual election duty. The six were produced by the police before the returning officer, were discharged after hearing and asked to submit affidavits. Of the rest, two challenged the district administration staff with a ‘do what you can attitude,’ according to the release. Most of them were out of reach and did not receive the phone calls by the election branch officers. Notices through the police would be sent to these poll officials and they, too, would be produced before the returning officer. If no valid explanation was found for their absence, they would also face departmental action and possible punishment under the Representation of Peoples Act. Five absentees had been asked to produce medical certificates. Most of the polling personnel are teachers and grade III Government employees.