The Andhra Pradesh Primary Teachers Association (APPTA) has urged the State government to exempt teachers and employees suffering from chronic illnesses, including rheumatoid arthritis, from election duties during the ongoing local body elections.

APPTA State president K. Prakash Rao and general secretary M. G. Mehadi submitted representations to the State Election Commissioner, Chief Secretary and Principal Secretary of the General Administration Department, seeking exemptions on humanitarian grounds.

The association leaders said several teachers and government employees suffered from arthritis and other chronic conditions that caused severe joint pain, swelling and restricted mobility. Assigning them election duties, which often required prolonged standing and movement throughout the day, could aggravate their health problems and lead to serious medical complications. They urged the authorities to consider the health conditions of the affected employees and grant them exemption from election duties on humanitarian grounds.

Published – October 25, 2026 06:02 pm IST