Thane: As preparations ramp up for the upcoming Assembly General Election on November 20, Thane Collector and District Election Returning Officer Ashok Shingare has issued a stern warning to government employeeswho refuse to participate in the electoral process. With elections deemed a national duty, Shingare emphasized that disciplinary action will be enforced against those failing to fulfill their responsibilities as outlined in Section 134 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. The voting will take place across 18 assembly constituencies in Thane district, which will also see the counting of votes on November 23. To facilitate a smooth electoral process, a total of 30,868 personnel, including 7,717 polling station presidents, 7,717 polling officers, and 15,434 other polling staff, have been appointed across 6,955 polling stations.
Despite the completion of initial training for these employees, there have been concerning reports of a significant number attempting to cancel their election duties. Many have been visiting the collector’s office with requests backed by recommendations from various sectors, or presenting medical certificates to excuse themselves from duty. While the administration is supportive of those with genuine health issues, Shingare expressed disappointment at employees opting out when their participation is urgently needed. In light of these developments, Shingare has instructed the Election Officers of the 18 Assembly Constituencies to take necessary action against employees who refuse their assigned duties, skip training, or exhibit misconduct during the election process. With just weeks to go until the election, the call for cooperation and commitment to uphold democratic duties has never been more critical.