Palakkad: Amidst the election fever, Vidyalakshmi, a teacher hailing from Sreekrishnapuram, is haunted by memories of a terrible accident that occurred three years ago during election duty. Despite numerous offers of assistance, the 34-year-old, who suffered a severe back injury, remains largely unsupported, with only financial aid from the Election Commission to rely on.

Recounting the traumatic event, Vidyalakshmi describes election seasons as a period she dreads revisiting. The incident occurred on April 6, 2021, at Agali GVHS School, where Vidyalakshmi served as a polling officer at booth 150A. While descending the stairs after using the restroom on the upper floor, she stumbled in an area lacking adequate lighting and fell from a ladder without handrails on either side, falling down twenty feet.

Though Vidyalakshmi was transported by the police and locals to Kottathara hospital, and later to a private hospital in Perinthalmanna due to the severity of her injuries, she was paralyzed below the waist.

Despite her grievous condition, Vidyalakshmi is yet to receive the full extent of her entitled benefits, with her only support being financial aid of Rs 7.5 lakhs sanctioned by the State Election Commission. While she applied for a two-year leave for treatment, she was granted only 119 days, leaving her with inadequate time for recovery.

Returning to work at Kadambur Government Higher Secondary School in December 2022, Vidyalakshmi’s treatments was stopped midway. Education Minister V Sivankutty visited her in January, accompanied by offers of assistance. However, no concrete action has been taken to address her condition.