The Left Democratic Front (LDF) election committee in Pathanamthitta Parliament constituency has accused the Election authorities of denying voting rights to several government servants and teachers who have been appointed polling staff.
In a fax message to the Chief Election Commissioner of India, K.N. Balagopal, the Rajya Sabha Member, who is also the LDF election committee secretary, said a number of people appointed on casual jobs like drivers of the vehicles deployed on election duty and others were denied citizens’ right to exercise their right to franchise in the elections to be held here on Thursday.
Mr Balagopal alleged that the Special Police Officers (SPO) on duty at various police stations and other places would also find it difficult to participate in voting on Thursday.
The authorities concerned had made no necessary arrangements for them to case their votes.
The staff attached to various government departments and the Travancore Devaswom Board, as well as the casual workers deployed at Sabarimala in connection with the 10-day annual temple festival there, were also unable to exercise their right to franchise in the polls, the MP said.
This “denial of voting right” to the citizens was taking place at a time when the Election Commission was repeatedly urging people not to refrain from exercising their right to franchise, he alleged.
Mr Balagopal called for immediate intervention of the Election Commission in the matter.
