Confusion and administrative lapses are casting a shadow over the upcoming Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) elections, with the city's teaching community bearing the brunt of flawed planning. Outrage is growing among teachers and professors appointed for poll duty, who allege a series of glaring errors and contradictory orders from the civic body.
Duplicate Appointments and Illogical Orders Spark Fury
At the heart of the controversy are what teachers describe as impossible and contradictory directives. A major point of contention is the alleged appointment of the same individuals as presiding officers at two different polling stations on the same day. "How can one person manage duties at two centres at the same time?" questioned several frustrated educators. This has forced many to submit requests for cancellation of these duplicate orders.
Further compounding the problem, key responsibilities have reportedly been handed to individuals with no prior experience in election duties. The teachers also claim the NMC has scheduled multiple training sessions simultaneously, making it physically impossible for appointees to attend all required briefings. The polling-day assignments, they say, defy basic logic and planning.
Intimidation Over Resolution: Teachers Face Show-Cause Notices
The situation has escalated beyond mere administrative error. Teachers allege that when they approached municipal officials to complain and seek clarification, they were met with intimidation instead of support. Rather than rectifying the flawed orders, the administration has reportedly begun serving show-cause notices to teachers for failing to comply with these impossible directives.
This response has added significant distress, particularly as many of those penalised include women teachers. The burden of correcting the administrative mess has fallen entirely on the teaching staff, while officials responsible for the flawed planning remain untouched. Educators have criticised this approach as a form of "reverse justice" by the NMC administration.
Demands for Accountability and Immediate Action
Frustrated by the repeated errors and the punitive response to their complaints, the teaching community is now demanding immediate and concrete action. Their primary demand is for accountability, urging the civic body to take action against the officials responsible for the chaotic planning and contradictory orders.
The ongoing controversy threatens to undermine the smooth conduct of the civic polls, raising serious questions about the NMC's preparedness. With polling staff demoralised and caught in an administrative crossfire, the focus has shifted from election duty to battling the civic body's own flawed system. The coming days will be crucial to see if the NMC heeds these calls and streamlines its process to ensure a fair and well-managed election.
