Christians want exemption from poll duty

The government employees of Christian faith has urged the Chief Election Commissioner to exempt them from election duties on April 19.

Harry D’Souza, president of the Christian Social Welfare Association, told reporters at the Patrika Bhavan on Wednesday that a memorandum had been submitted by the Association to State Chief Election Commissioner Sanjiv Kumar with the request. The officer had ordered the district returning officers to consider the plea by the Christian community.

D’Souza, meanwhile, said that the sentiments of the community were not respected.

“There are 35 lakh people belonging to Christian community. The political parties, however, have neglected the candidates from the community by denying them tickets in Mangaluru, Bengaluru, Karwar and Bidar. The Congress, the BJP and the JD(S) have ignored the community. No Christian Board was set up by the coalition government in the state as had been promised,” he alleged.

He also urged the government to appoint people from the Christian community to the Rajya Sabha, the Legislative Council and different boards.