The government started ground preparation for the Poll duty officers, seeks the list of teaching staff to deploy them on election duty, school teachers, including those from private institutions, have urged the Election Commission of India (ECI) and the State government to exempt those above 50 and those with comorbidities from poll works so as to avoid the risk of COVID-19. 

The Rights to Education (RTE) Act enables  teachers from government, aided and private institutions can be deployed on work related to census, disasters and elections. For election-related works, teachers are appointed as presiding officers, booth in-charge, booth slip distributors and counting. But this election, they face a serious risk due to pandemic situation. In Tamil Nadu, more than half of the 5.6 lakh teachers in the State are above 50, and many suffer from health disorders like diabetes and hypertension, said a senior official from the School Education Department. 

Tamil Nadu Teachers’ Association president PK Ilamaran, said the authorities have selected even those above 55 years for poll duty. “Other than diabetes and hypertension, many teachers suffer from heart and kidney ailment. The government should exempt such teachers from election duty,” he said. He said, the association have decided to submit a representation in this regard to the ECI and State government. 

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