BMC’s K West ward has asked colleges to appoint students to assist voters at polling stations
The ward office has asked for student volunteers to assist seniors and disabled voters. FILE PIC/SAYYED SAMEER ABEDI
While teachers are being allotted their electoral duties ahead of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, the Maharashtra Progressive Teachers’ Association has taken objection against students allegedly being roped into the activity.
According to the group, officials from the K West ward have issued a letter to several junior colleges in Andheri, asking them to appoint NCC (National Cadet Corps) students as volunteers at polling stations. These students will be tasked with assisting differently-abled and senior citizen voters at polling stations.
As per the letter, if students from NCC factions are not available, then other students should be involved as volunteers, and a list of the same is to be furnished.
While the education inspector’s (West zone) office said it hadn’t received this letter, a Jogeshwari-based college confirmed having received it. Contesting the decision, members from the teachers’ body objected to the involvement of students, stating that the onus of elections need not fall onto them.
Heading the association, Tanaji Kamble stated, “Teachers and non-teaching staff are already bearing a huge burden of election duty. Involving students directly in the voting process is a matter of concern. Burdening students is not a solution to administrative failures, and their academics cannot be hampered.”
When mid-day reached out to administrative officers of K West ward, an official explained, “The entire process is voluntary and no student will be mandated. Both girls and boys are allowed to partake and we have been seeing positive response already.”
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