By Ariana Wardak

NEW DELHI (TrustLaw) – India’s election commission has appointed a team of female observers to the beach state of Goa ahead of local polls, citing that male observers deployed in the past have treated the job as an all-expenses paid vacation, the Times of India reported on Monday.

According to the report, there have been complaints of male election observers drinking and clubbing during office hours in previous polls in Goa, one of India’s prime tourist destinations.

Election officials said ahead of the assembly polls on March 3, several male officials were “actively lobbying” to be sent to Goa, located on India’s west coast along the Arabian Sea.

“We took the decision to finalise an all-women team so that lobbying can be put to rest. It is unfortunate but male officers see a month-long stint as observer as holiday in Goa,” a senior official from the election commission was quoted as saying.”(The) election commission is in no mood to oblige them. Moreover, women officers are more conscientious.”

Five of India’s 35 states are scheduled to hold local elections from late January to early March.

(Editing by Nita Bhalla)

http://www.trust.org/trustlaw/news/holidaying-male-observers-replaced-with-women-in-goa-polls/