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Journalism of Courage
Ahmedabad-based Bandhkam Mazdoor Sangathan (BMS) has demanded the postal ballot facility for migrant workers in the unorganised sector for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. It claimed that there are between 10 to 15 crore migrant workers in the country.
In a letter addressed to the Election Commission (EC), BMS General Secretary Vipul Pandya said, “The phenomenon of migrant workers moving for livelihood and engaging informally in various sectors in destination cities, districts, and villages is significant. This population which moves from their source states to destination states for short-term or seasonal employment, plays a crucial role in various sectors…”
“Various civil societies, trade unions, and migrant NGOs have been advocating for the Election Commission and the Government of India to introduce compulsory voting and postal ballot system voting for migrant workers present in destination states during Lok Sabha elections. Although holidays or free travel fare are provided for returning to their source states to vote, the process often takes more than 3 or 4 days, which is impractical for many due to the nature of informal work that does not allow for extended absences,” it added.
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