Hyderabad,  20th May 2024 : The Transport and General Workers’ Union (TGPWU) has raised significant concerns regarding the treatment of drivers assigned to election duties for the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Specifically, TGPWU has alleged that these drivers are being overcharged by middlemen for essential services related to their election duties, such as transportation logistics and necessary documentation.

These middlemen, who act as intermediaries between the drivers and the Election Commission’s logistics teams, are reportedly exploiting the drivers by charging exorbitant fees for services that should either be free or offered at nominal rates. This exploitation adds an undue financial burden on the drivers, who are already tasked with ensuring the smooth transportation of election materials and officials across various constituencies.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has been proactive in organizing and training over 12 million officials for the elections, emphasizing the importance of fair practices and transparent management of election logistics. However, the involvement of unscrupulous middlemen undermines these efforts, causing distress among the drivers who are crucial to the election process.

TGPWU’s complaints highlight the need for stricter oversight and regulation to protect the rights and welfare of drivers involved in election duties. The union is calling for the Election Commission to take immediate action to address these issues, ensuring that all payments and services are conducted transparently and without undue exploitation. This move is essential to maintain the integrity of the electoral process and to support the workforce that enables the democratic exercise to function smoothly.