The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has taken strict action against dozens of its staff members for failing to report for critical election duty. The civic body has issued show-cause notices to a total of 79 officers and employees who did not present themselves at their assigned polling stations.
Strict Directive from Municipal Commissioner
Municipal Commissioner Kailas Shinde stated that the absent staff members have been instructed to appear at their designated polling stations within 24 hours of receiving the notice. He made it clear that failure to comply will result in a formal case being registered against them at the local police station.
Shinde emphasized that election work must be completed within a strict and prescribed time frame. He pointed out that such absenteeism is creating significant obstacles, leading to evasion of duty, unnecessary haste, and delays in the crucial electoral process.
Massive Electoral Exercise Underway
The action comes as the city prepares for the election of 111 members across its 28 wards. For this large-scale democratic exercise, the administration had set up a vast network of 1,151 polling stations. Appointment letters had been duly issued to staff for various election-related responsibilities to ensure smooth operations.
Commissioner Shinde affirmed that the NMMC administration is rigorously enforcing all necessary measures. The goal is to ensure the municipal elections scheduled for January 15 are conducted in a perfectly orderly manner, with all required manpower fully available throughout the entire process.
Nomination Process in Early Stages
Meanwhile, the nomination process for the elections is ongoing. Friday marked the third day for the filing of nomination forms. Interestingly, to date, only one nomination form has been formally submitted. However, there has been considerable interest from potential candidates, with over 2,165 nomination forms distributed in the last three days alone.
The corporation's decisive step against absentee staff underscores its commitment to a flawless electoral process. It serves as a strong reminder of the legal obligations of government employees during democratic exercises like elections.
