Fear grips us, the women college teachers, each time an election nears. The fear is over whether we will be deputed to poll duty. The fear is such that it even overshadows the patriotism ingrained in us since childhood.
The fear is not without reason. Election is an emotional process to many, and it is not an easy task for us to handle such people and poll-related issues. Taking care of poll-related papers and envelops is yet another problem. We are not used to it. Our experience is limited to teaching students.
The thought of staying away from home for two days in an unfamiliar place amid strangers, too, causes scare. If posted to some remote village, it brings along another set of problems. The polling booth, in most cases, will be in a government school with scarce or no basic facilities such as water, light and toilets.
Once deputed to election duty, we have to report at the collection centre a day ahead of the polls. The duty continues till we return to the collection point after the voting. The election commission is not bothered about our food during the two-day duty.
We have to be extra vigilant once we collect—after much pushing and shoving—the materials, including the electronic voting machine (EVM). The wait for the bus begins thereafter, and by the time we reach the assigned booth, it will be at least 4 pm. Once there, we start preparing the booth, and we get food only if there is a good Samaritan around.
After the long day, we try to doze off on a bench, for we need to be ready for the electorate early in the morning. Once the voting begins, we can’t leave the booth till 5 pm.
I have been lucky so far for not to have come across any violent incidents during my deputations. Though there were minor issues, timely interventions helped in defusing the situation.
Despite the heavy responsibility, I have enjoyed such duties. For me, it is a celebration of freedom. It gives much satisfaction to be with total strangers, all of them working towards a common goal. I have even spent the night chatting with policemen on duty.
Poll duties have awarded me with some sweet memories too. Once I was assigned to a booth near a student’s house. She provided me with food and accommodation.
At times, EVMs confuse elderly voters. They will convey their political preference through gestures. Helping them without provoking the political polling booth agents is a task in itself.
I can’t help wondering whether a time will come when the polling materials are delivered and taken back at the booths. It will ease our responsibilities. We can avoid taking care of several forms and envelops—mostly never opened. The election process needed to be modernized. Also, basic facilities should be provided to women on poll duty.
(The writer teaches Malayalam in Sacred Heart College, Chalakudy.)