After training, several election officers fail test

Bengaluru: A strange problem shadows the Election Commission, which is in the midst of preparing for polling in Karnataka on May 12. Even after conducting training to many of the returning officers and assistant returning officers, who will be holding the crucial posts during the elections, many have failed the examination.

 Around 230 ARO’s and 87 returning officers have failed to clear the examination after the refresher training.

All most all the officials deployed for the election duty are KAS officials holding important posts in the State administration. Some of them hold posts of tahsildar, special land acquisition officer, joint director, deputy director, and assistant director. Many officials, especially those aged above 50, were struggling to cope with the training, inform sources.

Chief Electoral Officer Sanjiv Kumar told presspersons, “It is a matter of great concern. Some of the returning officers and assistant returning officers have failed to clear the test after the first refresher training. They will be given a second refresher training before being deployed on duty.”