IT firms assure to let staff cast votes

Gachibowli: The CEOs and managements of IT companies in Telangana State, have given out a firm assurance to the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Dr Rajat Kumar, that they will enable their staff to fulfil their citizen responsibility of voting on the polling day on December 7. Dr Rajat Kumar interacted with IT industry leaders and other officials in an interaction session organised by the Society for Cyberabad Security Council (SCSC), at the Cyberabad Police Commissionerate at Gachibowli recently.

The CEO gave a clarion call, saying, “You have to be agents of change” which was readily welcomed by the IT heads. Dr Rajat Kumar explained about the tamper-proof features of EVMs and VVPATs and later, answered all the queries put up by the audience. He said that these machines were randomized at every level and manufactured with international standards by BEL and ECIL. A public holiday was declared for government offices, and its institutions, including educational institutions, for the polling day. When the CEOs and IT executives expressed their hesitation in observing holiday throughout the day on December 7, Dr Rajat emphasised that “the country and democracy are first.”

There was no point in saying “We have a horrible system, compared to the developed nations like US, Japan, Singapore etc, while ignoring our responsibility to vote. We get the government we deserve if we vote. No exemption from holiday unless there are some defence considerations,” Dr Rajat Kumar said.
R Chandrasekhar, Joint Commissioner, Labour, who was present, said A paid holiday would be observed even in the IT sector. The IT industry top brass, including Bharani Kumar Aroll, CEO of Infopeers and secretary OF SCSC, pleaded with Dr Kumar that they were to run “critical business operations” even on holidays and, therefore, they would give a half-day holiday or permission for voting by their staff. Their commitment to the country was such that they would press into service vehicles to take them to the booths and bring them back. They said they were to follow the timings of the US, Australia etc, to meet the needs of their clients. But all of them raised their hands expressing solidarity with CEO.

The CEO said, “Most progressive thinking people are in your industry and the country advances fast if you also become partners of the system”. Replying to questions, he said he could not insist on promises in the manifestos of political parties favourable to IT industries, as they were to cater all sections of people. He said booths could not be located in IT companies, saying a polling station concerned was hardly 500 meters from one’s house. “The EVM in India is a wonderful machine, its every aspect is within the legal framework. Besides umpteen tests have been conducted,” the CEO added.
Jayesh Ranjan and Chandrasekhar, Joint Commissioner and other officers were also present in the interaction session.