Kochi Police Raise Alarm Over Obstruction in Home Access for Postal Voting
Personnel allege restrictions on home constituency voting, raising concerns over disenfranchisement during election duty
KOCHI: A wave of confusion and dissatisfaction has surfaced among personnel of Kochi City Police following reports that they may not be able to access postal voting facilities in their home constituencies. The situation has reportedly arisen due to instructions issued by senior officials, sparking concerns about voting rights.
The Election Commission permits essential service workers, including police, healthcare, and fire department staff, to vote using either Form 12 (for those on election duty) or Form 12D (for absentee voters). These provisions allow them to cast their votes at facilitation centres within their constituencies or at designated polling locations.
However, while police personnel in other districts are able to vote in their respective constituencies, Kochi city officers are said to be limited to a single polling centre Mar Athanasius High School in Kakkanad. This has led to inconvenience, particularly for those stationed far from the designated location.
According to a sub-inspector, instructions from higher authorities mandate filing Form 12 and casting votes within a fixed window from April 1 to 6. He pointed out that these directions appear inconsistent with a March 20 circular issued by the state police headquarters in Thiruvananthapuram.
The circular advises department heads to facilitate voting through Form 12D in officers’ home constituencies, though it also notes that operational duties during elections may prevent personnel from being relieved for travel.
A police officer from Mattancherry subdivision shared his experience, stating that he travelled to his native constituency in Kottayam expecting to vote, only to discover that he was no longer eligible to do so there. With duty commitments and distance posing challenges, he fears missing the opportunity to vote.
Another officer acknowledged the importance of participating in the democratic process but noted that tight schedules may prevent many from doing so.
Meanwhile, a senior official clarified that there is no strict prohibition, and personnel have only been advised to use designated centres to ensure smooth law and order management during the election period.
He emphasised that while police personnel must exercise their voting rights, their primary responsibility remains maintaining public safety and ensuring the seamless conduct of elections.
