Syed Sibtey Razi holds a review meeting. Picture by Prashant Mitra

Ranchi, Jan. 20: As election bells ring in the state after the promulgation of President’s rule, government employees — especially those entrusted with poll duty — have come up with a novel idea.

They hope not only to bring down the heavy expenditure due to polls and decrease the heavy workload on security men but also bail out the state from being under model code of conduct for several months. “If there is a gap between holding the two elections — that of the Lok Sabha and Assembly, the state would be under model code of conduct for several months. New plans or development work can not be taken up in the state while it is under model code of conduct. The Election Commission of India (ECI) should hold these two polls simultaneously,” said Ashok Kumar Singh, the general secretary of Jharkhand Arajpatrit Karmachary Mahasangh.

Political parties may cling on to the last-minute hope of forming an alternative government as the state Assembly is still to be dissolved, but these employees are silently getting ready for poll work. They know that they would have to go to far-flung villages for the Lok Sabha elections even if the ECI decides to hold the two polls separately.

With most districts under Naxalite grip, it would require real courage to carry out poll duties. Besides, as Naxalite outfits are often opposed to democratic process, possibility of violence is always present during poll duties.

“Every time we go for poll duty, we pray that we come back home safe. Our tension would be minimised if the two polls were held at one go,” said Sanat Mukherkjee, the general secretary of Jharkhand Colliery Mazdoor Union.

Other associations echoed his sentiments.

“If the ECI holds the two polls at one go, it would save us precious time which we can give to the children,” said Chakradhar Yadav, the general secretary of Jharkhand Primary School Teachers’ Association.

“Poll duty would be pleasant had the Naxalite problem not been present in Jharkhand,” observed an employee.

He said Naxalism is the major reason why employees make every effort to get their names struck off from the list of poll workers.

Government employees apart, political parties too want simultaneous polls. “Our demand to dissolve the state Assembly not withstanding, we are in favour of an arrangement to hold the two polls at one go,” said Uma Shankar Kedia, the spokesperson of the BJP state unit.

The party has been demanding fresh mandate after the defeat of JMM chief Shibu Soren in Tamar.