Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Temporary Jobs Surge to Nine Lakh
The first phase of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections concluded on April 19, paving the way for the next phase on April 26. This phase will witness voting in 89 Lok Sabha constituencies across 12 states and one Union territory. Alongside the electoral process, the elections have generated a significant number of temporary employment opportunities.
According to industry experts, the elections have resulted in the creation of up to nine lakh temporary jobs in diverse roles supporting the electoral process. These roles include polling booth officials, election clerks, security personnel, data entry operators, transportation coordinators, and administrative staff.
The demand for these temporary positions is driven by the requirement for smooth functioning and transparency throughout the elections. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, roles such as accounting, data entry, security personnel, and content writing witnessed a significant increase in hiring.
In addition to these roles, around two lakh temporary positions have emerged over the past six months, catering to tasks such as data analysis, planning, public relations, and social media marketing. As campaigning intensifies, sectors like event management, printing, transportation, and security are expected to hire an estimated four lakh people on a temporary basis.
Despite the surge in temporary employment, experts believe it will not impact the existing job market dynamics. They attribute this to the prevailing imbalance between job supply and demand. The duration of these temporary positions typically ranges from one to two weeks before the electoral proceedings to the completion of the election process in each location.
The remuneration for these temporary jobs varies depending on the role and scope of work. Individual workers may earn between Rs. 15,000 to Rs. 40,000, while drivers hired for transportation services receive approximately Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 8,000 per day.
