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Technicians know best who can represent them: Rudranil Ghosh
Rudranil Ghosh
The two-day election process to choose representatives for the technicians’ guilds in Tollywood concluded on Sunday, following polling for five guilds on the previous day. Elections were held across 16 guilds, while seven others were uncontested. In a conversation with CT, actor-politician Rudranil Ghosh explains the process, from eligibility criteria and polling arrangements to vote counting and the formation of the Federation’s governing body.A vote for their ownRudranil described the technicians’ guild elections as an important step towards establishing a transparent and democratic system within the Bengali film industry. “For the first time in many years, technicians have been able to cast their votes peacefully and without obstruction,” he said, adding that the polling was being conducted under CCTV surveillance and police security, allowing members to exercise their right to a secret ballot. The elections cover 23 guilds representing different professional categories within the industry, including lightmen, make-up artists, assistant directors and other technicians. “These are professional elections in which candidates contest against colleagues from their own departments, and eligible members of those departments vote for them,” he explained. For instance, members of the make-up department elect their representatives from among candidates belonging to the same department. He emphasised that technicians themselves are best placed to decide who can represent their interests and run their guild effectively, adding, “There is no reason for hostility between colleagues in this process.”5,000 technicians eligible to voteThe eligibility criteria for candidates and voters are governed by rules laid down by the Labour Commission and the relevant trade union authorities. “Those who hold valid cards and meet the prescribed requirements can contest and vote,” said Rudranil, adding that approximately 5,000 technicians are eligible to vote. A total of 333 candidates are contesting for different positions across the 23 guilds, each of which can have around 12 to 13 posts, including president, secretary, treasurer and other office bearers. While seven guilds are uncontested, elections are being held in the remaining 16, with five guilds going to the polls on the first day and the remaining 11 on the second. Explaining the arrangements to ensure impartiality, he said election commissioners are drawn from other guilds to oversee the process. “When the make-up guild holds its election, commissioners from other guilds oversee the process,” he said, adding that the respective guilds nominate colleagues they trust to remain neutral to help ensure that the elections are conducted fairly.
Election in progress at a city studio
Security, polling and counting arrangementsOnly technicians whose elections are being conducted are permitted inside the polling premises, with the restriction applying to everyone, including those associated with the industry, ministers and MLAs. “Even Mithun Chakraborty is not allowed inside,” said Rudranil, adding that the police were maintaining the arrangements in a disciplined manner and that technicians were happy with the security provided. The elections are being held over two days across five studio polling centres, all under CCTV surveillance. Rudranil said the process had remained peaceful, with counting beginning within 10 to 15 minutes of the conclusion of voting for each guild. “The candidates and those concerned sit together during the counting process,” he said, explaining that the arrangement was intended to ensure transparency in the declaration of results and prevent disputes.Federation formation and resultsThe next step after the guild elections will be the formation of the Federation. Five representatives from each guild will form its council body and help constitute the Federation’s governing body. “The Federation will decide the rules and regulations for technicians across the industry,” said Rudranil, adding that the subsequent election would be held according to prescribed rules, through discussions among the representatives. The process is generally completed within a month. While guild elections are expected to be held annually, the final decision on their frequency will be taken once the new Federation body is in place. Counting will take place on the evening of polling, with guild membership ranging from around 500 to 1,000. Following the results, acting president Jayanta Kundu and other office bearers are expected to hold a press conference to announce details, including the number of candidates, eligible voters, positions and results. The timing and manner of the official announcement of the elected candidates’ names are yet to be confirmed. Rudranil said constituting the Federation would enable the industry to establish a common framework of rules for technicians across departments.Polling centres
- Technician Studio
- NT1 Studio
- Indrapuri Studio
- Radha Studio
- 9 Number Studio
The Federation’s governing body will establish uniform rules across departments. The final decision on the frequency of future guild elections will also be taken by the new body
The technicians themselves are best placed to judge which of their colleagues they trust to represent their interests and run their respective guilds
Rudranil Ghosh
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