Pbi varsity professors skip poll rehearsals, to be served notice

Ravneet Singh

Tribune News Service

Patiala, April 21

The Election Commission would send notices to Punjabi University professors who failed to reach at designated spots for rehearsals related to the 2019 General Election scheduled on May 19 in Punjab.

Shawkat Ahmad Parrey, Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC)-cum- Additional District Electoral Officer said all those who had failed to participate in rehearsals related to the election duty would be issued notice.

Instead of going for rehearsals, professors held a protest on Punjabi university campus.

While the District Election Officer did not issue any statement to exempt university professors from the rehearsals, the latter claimed they were assured by the university officials that they could skip the event.

Dr Manjit Singh Nijjar, Registrar, Punjabi University and Dean Academics Dr GS Batra met the protesting professors. Dr Nijjar said the university had given a representation to the district administration and requested them not to depute professors on election duty as they were politically inclined.

When asked if the university told professors not to attend the rehearsal, he said, “It is an understanding from the fact that the university professors are politically inclined. We informed the professors that we have given a representation to the administration to not deploy them on electon duty.”

The ADC said all those deputed on election duty were supposed to attend rehearsals. “Around 800 out of the 10,000 employees failed to reach for rehearsals. All of them will be served notice.”

It is pertinent to mention that various political parties, including the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) had also urged the Election Commission to refrain from deputing Punjabi University’s professors on the election duty. The political outfits stated that professors were politically inclined and it could hinder the election process.