Mumbai: The Election Commission (EC) has issued a directive to exclude teachers from election duty, responding to a demand made by the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS). This decision comes amidst concerns raised by the MNS regarding the potential disruption of academic activities due to teachers' involvement in election-related tasks.
Amit Thackeray, conveying the decision via Facebook, announced that the Chief Electoral Officer has accepted MNS's demand to exempt teachers from election duties. However, the EC clarified that apart from school functioning, teachers can still be engaged in national duties.
The EC's decision is based on legal precedents, including instructions from the Supreme Court regarding the involvement of teaching staff in revising voter lists. These instructions stipulate that such tasks should be assigned only during holidays, non-teaching days, or non-teaching hours.
Furthermore, the EC referenced High Court rulings specifying provisions under the Representation of People Act, 1950 and 1951, allowing for a limited duration of election-related duties for academic and non-academic staff of private aided/non-aided schools.
Acknowledging the academic significance of the period from February to April, the EC emphasized the need to balance electoral obligations with educational priorities. While recognizing the urgency of election-related work, the EC stressed the importance of complying with legal provisions and ensuring minimal disruption to educational activities.
In light of these considerations, local authorities and governments are instructed to provide alternative staff for election duties, excluding teachers. Retired government employees willing to serve as Booth Level Officers (BLOs) are suggested as potential replacements. Additionally, measures are proposed to prevent election work from conflicting with teaching schedules, affirming the commitment to both democratic processes and educational continuity.
