HYDERABAD: Teachers contesting for the Legislative Council are baffled over the Election Commission's directive that no teacher can be appointed as a polling agent or a counting agent.

In a directive, the Election Commission of India in an order (322/AP-LC/207-PNN-III), dated Feb 12, 2007, said that no teacher should be allowed as a polling or counting agent. Based on those orders, the State Government on February 19, 2007 issued similar orders. The order says that as per Representation of People's Act, Government servants cannot act as polling or counting agents and those violating them can be punished with imprisonment and fine.

"The order is strange and would lead to impersonation and bogus voting," says B. Narender Reddy of State Teachers' Union (STU) contesting from the Teachers' constituency comprising Hyderabad, Ranga Reddy and Mahabubnagar districts. He argues that identification of voters would be impossible if teachers were not allowed as polling agents. "When teachers can contest why can't they be appointed as polling or counting agents."

He also fears that in the absence of photo identity cards there could be bogus voting. He requested the Election Commission to review its order and allow the Government and aided school teachers to be appointed as polling agents.

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