Mumbai: Twenty-one thousand government employees have been assigned poll duty for the two Lok Sabha constituencies – Mumbai South Central and Mumbai South, to ensure there is transparency and a fair environment at the polling booths, the resident deputy collector Sampat Davkhar has informed. These two constituencies cover the areas of Dharavi, Sion-Koliwada, Wadala, Mahim, Worli, Sewri, Byculla, Malabar Hill, Mumbadevi and Colaba. This additional staff will be responsible for handling poll machinery.

Among the 21,000 staff are 3,162 chiefs of polling staff, 3,162 first polling officers, 6,324 other polling officers, 450 regional officers, 2,600 central polling officers, 4,000 guards along with 1,200 office staffers to help over 10 Vidhan Sabha constituencies like Dharavi, Sion-Koliwada, Wadala, Mahim, Worli, Sewri, Byculla, Malabar Hill, Mumbadevi and Colaba, that are part of Mumbai South Central and Mumbai South Lok Sabha constituencies.

Davkhar said legislative action will be initiated against those who remain absent from election duty on the days of voting and counting.  The administration has already proposed strict action against 1,500 employees who were not present at the first training session. However, in consideration of personal emergencies for some employees, they have been exempted from election duty.