CG NEWS: More than a dozen presiding officers did not come for duty, the responsibility had to be given to the ‘Reserve’…now preparations for action

Raipur. More than a dozen officers who were made presiding over the voting for seven assembly seats of Raipur district on November 17 did not turn up for duty without prior notice. Due to the absence of these employees, other officers included in the reserve list were hurriedly made presiding officers and sent to the polling booths. In this case, Returning Officer and Additional Collector BB Panchbhai said that action will be taken against the officers and employees who remained missing from duty without taking information and permission. For this, a show cause notice will first be issued to them. If the answers are not found satisfactory, he will be suspended. A day before the second phase of voting, polling parties were sent from Sejbahar and BTI Ground with election materials to the polling booths of all the assembly constituencies of the district.

Polling parties were sent from BTI Ground to the polling booths of Dharsiwa, Raipur North and Raipur West assembly constituencies. All officers and employees were instructed to be present at the BTI ground by 7 am for the departure of the polling parties. The presiding officers were also included in this, but at 1.30 pm, 17 presiding officers did not reach the ground. The surprising thing is that these officers had neither removed their names from election duty nor given any information to the top officials about not coming for duty. When these officers did not report for duty, there was panic among the top officials. He also contacted the officials on phone several times, but he could not be contacted even on phone. After this, in a hurry, in place of those officers, other officers kept in the reserve list were handed over the responsibility of Presiding Officer and they were sent to the polling booths.

Some officers arrived later

Deputy Collector Ashutosh Dewangan said that some officers were contacted after 2 pm, after which they came for duty, but preparations are being made to give notice to those who did not arrive.

action after giving notice

Additional Collector and Returning Officer BB Panchbhai said that notices will be issued to those officers appointed as presiding officers who do not turn up for duty. If the answer is not satisfactory then it will be suspended.