Deputy collectors move Bombay HC to skip election duty

Deputy collectors have moved the Bombay high court seeking direction to the State Election Commission (SEC) from putting them on election duty during the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).

The 36 deputy collectors from various departments said they are being called in for all elections to work as returning officers and thus their work is suffering.

Advocate Mihir Desai, appearing for the officials, said: “They are being asked to work even in Mira Road municipal council elections. Assistant municipal commissioners of the BMC have been conducting the corporation elections for years till 2007, when the state government decided to direct deputy collectors to work as returning officers. This practice can be stopped.”

The SEC counsel said the plea was premature as the notification to appoint them for election duty has not yet been issued. “The civic body staff is employed in election duty so why can’t these officials work during the corporation elections,” the court said.
The court has directed the SEC and the corporation to file their replies and adjourned the hearing till December 19.