Private school, college staff may be roped in for poll duty

For the first time, the District Election Officer has written to the Election Commission of India seeking permission to rope in staff of private schools and colleges for poll duty.

This time, 54,400 polling personnel will be required, said N. Manjunath Prasad, BBMP Commissioner and District Election Officer (DEO).

He told reporters that the DEO’s office has received names of around 35,000 government personnel and data entry has already begun.

“We have also sought a list of personnel from Public Sector Undertakings, such as HAL, ITI and BEL. But since we may still be short of personnel, we have sought permission from the ECI to rope in staff of private schools and colleges.”