-Brian Mendonça
My name was not on the first list which came around
for poll duty. My elation was
short-lived as questions of self-doubt arose. Was I not good enough? Did I not
acquit myself well in my earlier stints as Presiding Officer? These gnawings of
the soul led to envy for those who were actually selected. I mean when do you
get to serve the nation in your small way?
So when the second list came around and my name was
there, I received the news with equanimity. This would be my third call of
duty, the earlier being Dharbandora (2017) and Curtorim (2014) .
A ticklish problem arose because we had shifted residence
from Vasco in South Goa to Porvorim which fell in North Goa. With elections on
the horizon I had already applied online for updation. I was amazed to see that
our EPICs arrived well before the poll date in Goa.
The order designating me as Presiding Officer also
mentioned that I would be assigned to Priol, Ponda. Where in Priol was
anybody’s guess. This would be intimated on pre-poll day itself. I was already
beginning to get a glimpse of the massive government machinery in place for the
polls and how it moves.
There were three trainings. The first was in Margao
at the South Goa collectorate. The second was in Panjim, at the Central Library,
Patto. This was along with my four team members. The last training on the eve
of the poll was only for Presiding Officers (PrOs) at the majestic Rajiv Gandhi
Kala Mandir, Ponda. Trainers went to great lengths to point out the intricacies
of the conduct of the poll to us. PPTs presentation, and Youtube videos were
shared on groups formed for the purpose. Before poll day we were instructed to
install the FieldSense app so our movements with the voting machines could be
tracked.
I tried to instil a sense of purpose in my team
members and acquaint them with the material we were receiving. None of the
members was known to me before. I was keeping my fingers crossed that we would
click on poll day. There were so many things to remember.
I arose on poll day at 5 a.m. and read Psalm 16 to
calm myself. After following due process the polling began at 7 a.m. The next
eleven hours till 6 p.m. we were on our toes. We had the experience of handling
various kinds of people, from voters, election officers, police officers and
support staff. Everyone worked shoulder
to shoulder to make the poll a success. I was ennobled by their simplicity and
sincerity.
Senior polling staff visited us regularly to boost
our morale and advise us on the steps to be taken next. Tasty meals were
delivered to our doorstep since the previous night when we arrived at our
polling station. Government vehicles transported us.
Nevertheless
25% of the voters on the electoral roll chose not to show up to cast their
vote. I couldn’t but ask why.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------Published in GomantakTimes Weekender, Panaji, Goa on Sunday, 28 April 2019. Photo of Farmagudi Residency, Ponda courtesy booking.com
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