Karnataka CEO Seeks Temporary Exemption from Biometric Attendance for Election Workers

Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) V. Anbu Kumar has requested all heads of departments to temporarily exempt staff deployed for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) from daily biometric attendance and attendance through the Kartavya Attendance App during the period of the exercise.

In a letter addressed to the Chief Secretary on Monday, the CEO stated that the field-level work under the SIR is of 'utmost urgency' and must be completed within the stipulated timeframe. Booth Level Officers (BLOs) are engaged in various activities including door-to-door visits, and many have reported difficulties in reporting daily to their parent departments for biometric attendance, as this is affecting the SIR work.

'Their attendance during the SIR be considered based on certificates issued by the Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) concerned, instead of daily biometric or app-based attendance,' Mr. Anbu Kumar said in the letter. He has also requested all department heads to issue appropriate directions to ensure smooth implementation of the exercise.

The door-to-door visits under the SIR are scheduled to begin from June 30. BLOs have expressed concerns that if daily biometric attendance continues, it could create challenges for both the SIR work and routine department duties. Earlier, several officials from multiple departments, including Education, had raised similar concerns.