BIKANER, Oct. 5 -- Rajasthan's panchayat election schedule has landed in the middle of the government school calendar, with three polling dates falling during the October 15-29 half-yearly examination period and four more falling during the November 4-15 Diwali vacation. Teachers assigned election duties will therefore face overlapping election and school responsibilities across October and November. The first phase of panchayat elections will be held on October 23 for zila parishad and panchayat samiti members and on October 25 for panch and sarpanch posts. Both dates fall within the half-yearly examinations scheduled in government schools from October 15 to 29. The second phase will add another overlap, with zila parishad and panchayat samiti polling scheduled for October 29, the last day of the half-yearly examinations. Polling for panch and sarpanch posts in the second phase will follow on October 31, just two days after the examination window ends. The third phase moves into schools' Diwali break. Zila parishad and panchayat samiti polling is scheduled for November 4, the first day of the mid-term/Diwali vacation, while panch and sarpanch polling will be held on November 6. The fourth phase will see zila parishad and panchayat samiti polling on November 14, still within the November 4-15 vacation, followed by panch and sarpanch polling on November 16, a day after the scheduled break ends. The overlap means teachers involved in election duties will be required for poll-related work at a time when schools are conducting examinations or are officially closed for the Diwali vacation. Election training and other preparatory duties could add to the scheduling conflict, particularly for teachers posted away from their home districts. The Akhil Bharatiya Rashtriya Shaikshik Mahasangh's Rajasthan Vidyalaya Shiksha unit has sought a review of the election schedule, particularly the third phase. State secretary Ravi Acharya told HT that employees had an important responsibility in conducting elections, but major festivals and family responsibilities should also be considered while fixing poll duties....