Duty of Election without selection!!

What an experience!! For the first time in my life, i was actually involved into the democratic process of electing our leaders..The leaders whom i sincerely detest & see them as stigma on the forehead of our Nation..It was the Assembly elections of Uttar Pradesh..!!

It had never occurred in my remotest thoughts that i would ever be put into such precarious position..The guy who didn't cast a single vote was expected to preside & judge others for their eligibility to vote for their leaders..Duty of Election without selection!!

But neways, the election commission slowly & steadily put me & some of my friends into the groove..Firstly, by imparting the forced trainings on Electronic Voting Machines & the rules n regulations of the electoral process and Later actually thrusting us with all the unavoidable & inescapable responsibilities of the elections..

We were all filled with anxieties & worries..About our safety & wellbeings..How would those 2 days pass by? What would be the arrangements of our stay? Where would we be posted? And so on and so forth..

Finally the day came when we were all herd to that common location from where all of us had to collect their posting orders, the voting machines, all sorts of forms & envelops..And also the other team members!!

It was like a big village fair..One big pandal in the middle surrounded by several small counters..At least a thousand or so many people were thronging the place..Some busy searching for their counters, some looking out for their team members..Screaming their names on one loudspeaker, carrying placards of their party number..Some trying to find their bus number, which was supposed to take them to their respective polling stations..!

I was fortunate enough that soon after I had collected the items, I found one of my team members..He was really a smart chap who located our bus and we didn’t face much trouble from thereon as far as reaching our polling station was concerned..In the bus only, I met with my other team members..

It was a real hot day and sun was shining full throttle..After nearly 3 hours wait in the oven-like bus, we were finally on our way to our destined polling station..And approximately half an hour later we were there..It was a primary school in a very unhygienic location..But fortunately, there were fans in the rooms and a few carpets as well..So after initial preparations, which took quite a lot of time & deciding onto how to conduct the polling the next day,..We all went to our comfortable beds..The carpet and the sheet over it!! But sleep was one precious thing which was strictly denied to us by the unofficial guards of the Election Commission..The Mosquito Brigade, which kept us on our toes all through night..

So after a torturous night, I woke up at 4 in the morning and was ready for business by 5 with all my men and machines..The election proceedings started at sharp 7..Thanks to the BSF personnels..it was all very peaceful, free and fare.That was indeed the best part of this event!! I would really like to appreciate the Election Commission that they put in the army personnel for this job..They are unbiased, tough & honest..And this is what fetches them so much respect & love from the nation!!

However, I was completely unaware that the worst part was yet to come..It took nearly an hour to reach the location were we were supposed to deposit all the electoral material & the confidential documents..

But gosh..what a sight!! Nearly one to two thousand people struggling, squabbling and fighting to unburden themselves with their uncalled for responsibilities as soon as possible in a college ground which actually seemed like a battle ground..A complete chaos!! A totally unsystematic, ill-managed and undisciplined system welcomed us..It took us more than two hours, few bruises on head and chest before we could deposit the machines and forms..One of my collegeue was lirerally crushed by the mob and if I was not there he would have reached hospital instead of home that night..And to top it all, the bus which was supposed to take us back, was gone..!!

I was really disappointed by the unsympathetic & callous behavior of the system, which was least bothered for the personnels who had just performed their duties so well..Isn’t it the responsibility of the Election Commission that they take care of those employees whom they had so forcibly asked to perform such duty in such arduous conditions?

I appreciate that Election Commission has done great job in making the election as free and fair as possible..But my appeal is that they must also take care of those people whom they expect to make elections happen!!

But in any case, it was one hell of an experience..!! I kind of have mixed feelings about this..Happy, may be cause I could get the insight of the actual election procedure..Disappointed, because of the unsympathetic attitude of the system towards the people who were entrusted with the election procedure!!

But no frets..Just chill!! Hope u enjoyed this real account of the election duty and its proceedings!! Cheers!