ELECTION duties bring a lot of trouble to the teachers of government schools and colleges. They are forced to act as presiding officers. Don’t they already have enough responsibilities? Why are they burdened with more?

The teachers are called the builders of the nation. Does it mean they should be considered masons in the literal sense?

The Election Commission of Pakistan is a prestigious institution with a proper infrastructure. They should have their own staff for conducting elections, or they should appoint teachers and other professionals for election duties only if they are willing to get involved. They should also provide incentives to those who perform election duties.

In developed nations, people are employed for election duties only if they show their willingness. Here we take teachers for granted.

Maleeha Iesar

Rawalpindi

Published in Dawn, December 25th, 2015