Amritsar, January 16 The government and non-government employees deputed on election duty as presiding officers, assistant presiding officers and polling staff are complaining that they are repeatedly receiving phone calls from the Deputy Commissioner’s office telling them to fill up “Form 12” compulsorily. Some of them even said that they had been threatened to fill Form 12 urgently failing which strict action would be taken against them by the DC, Amritsar. Form 12 is for those voters, who want to cast their vote through postal ballot. Irked over repeated phone calls, the election staff has decided to file a complaint in this regard. “Casting vote is a fundamental right and not a fundamental duty. Voters cannot be forced to cast their votes. The particular order by the Deputy Commissioner whereby employees are being asked to fill Form 12 seems unjustified,” said a College lecturer, deputed on election duty. Another teacher said, “Earlier, it was not compulsory to fill Form 12. A large number of polling staff often fill the form. But, this time the staff in DC office told us that it is mandatory. Since Sunday afternoon, employees deputed on election duty are receiving phone calls asking them to fill up Form 12 urgently.” Some of them complained that they received calls in the evening when they were out with their families being a Sunday. According to the women staff, “This was a kind of never expected harassment.” Rakesh Thapar, election tehsildar said, “The poll staff should cast their votes. It is good if they fill the Form 12. Our employees are motivating the election staff. Otherwise they will miss the opportunity to cast votes.”

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