Poll Booth Officials have it tough - in principle, through a utopian lens, the job is simple - ensure free and fair polling. In reality, these officers have to deal with netas, party workers, media and the urge to dress well.
Take for example Salawa village’s Booth 131 where BJP MLA Sangeet Som allegedly slapped a polling official during the first phase of the voting. We say alleged - the police waiting for nearly 10 hours for the official to file a complaint. He didn't. The police themselves did. Oh, by the way, this FIR becomes the 8th case against the MLA. He’s yet to be convicted for any.
Another neta that had an FIR filed against her is Pramila Pandey. The Kanpur Mayor got herself photographed voting for BJP. While the enthusiasm for democracy is commendable, breaking the law isn’t. You can’t sneak a snap with the EVM. Against EC rules.
Another EC rule - don't show up drunk at the polling booth. Big no-no. Especially if you are in-charge of the said polling booth! In Puranpur’s booth number 325, things got a little out of hand.
Talking about things getting out of hand - Reena Dwivedi is back in news. The electoral official made the headlines during 2019 Lok Sabha polls for showing up to work. Yes, Dwivedi became an overnight sensation for showing up to work dressed well.
She is once again in the news, for what? we, uh, don’t know. The PWD officer is doing her job at Booth Number 114 in Lucknow.