11th Presidential Elections in Petropars Operational Zones
Tears of Excitement and Smiles of Pride
Colleagues working in the Operational Zones of Petropars and Petropars-affiliated companies had a massive turnout for the 11th Presidential Elections and created scenes filled with “tears of excitement and smiles of pride”.
According to a report released by the Public Relations and International Affairs Department of Petropars Group, on Friday Khordad 24, 1392 (June 14, 2013), the mobile Ballot Box No.45 of Kangan City, which was exclusively allocated by the State Elections Staff and Kangan Governor’s Office to collect ballot papers in Petropars Camp as well as Phase 12 and Phase 19 Labor Camp, witnessed the massive turnout of Petropars Group engineers and workers who cast their ballots early after the balloting started.
Based on the scheduling carried out jointly by the officials in charge of the balloting and Petropars authorities, it was prescribed that, since the workers residing at Phase 12 EPC2 Camp were on leave, the balloting team should initially be deployed there and then they should continue with collecting the ballots at the residential Camp of EPC3. Subsequently, they were to head to Phase 19 Camp and close the polls in the Engineering Camp of Petropars. No one had any idea that the massive participation and the extensive turnout could disturb the scheduling.
As early as 8 a.m. on Friday morning, the mobile Ballot Box No.45 was stationed in the mosque of Phase 12 EPC2 Residential Camp and was incessantly busy collecting workers’ ballots until 1 p.m. Participation by the workers residing at EPC2 Residential Camp was so unexpected that although the time was approaching to have the ballot box transferred to EPC3 Camp, there were a great number of workers who were still standing in line behind the mosque door to cast their votes. These circumstances proved it very difficult to have the ballot box transferred to the mosque of EPC3 Residential Camp. However, the workers decided that they had no option but to follow the ballot box and to go to the mosque of EPC3 Residential Camp.
Soon the authorities realized that a huge number of workers had already been waiting there at the mosque of Phase 12 EPC3 Residential Camp in order to cast their balots. There the balloting went on incessantly until 5 p.m. Eventually, the mobile Ballot Box No.45 headed for Phase 19 Camp while Phase 12 workers were still waiting to drop their votes.
Upon arrival of the mobile Ballot Box No.45 to Phase 19 Camp, the officials in charge were truly surprised to see the orderly line of the workers there who had told their noon and afternoon prayer and who were patiently waiting to see the ballot box arrive. What was noticeable and of great significance was the orderly cooperation and the discipline among the workers which accelerated the balloting process.
The mobile Ballot Box No.45 was grounded there at Phase 19 Residential Camp and soon it became evident that the ballot box was destined to remain there until the balloting respite ended. Hence, coordination was made with the Senior Manager of the Company, who carefully followed up all issues sine early Friday morning, to take the required actions in order to have the residents of Petropars Residential Camp transferred to the nearest balloting station, as it was deemed impossible to move the Ballot Box out of Phase 19. Consequently, the residents of Petropars Residential Camp were transferred, in three phases, to Taheri Juncture Balloting Station where they managed to cast their votes.
Extension of the balloting time did not satisfy the needs and at 12 p.m. when the doors of the mosque in Phase 19 Camp were closed, there still remained a great number of workers who were still waiting impatiently for more time to cast their ballots; a situation which deeply moved the authorities. However, as per the related laws and regulations, it was illegal to cast any ballots after 12 p.m. Unfortunately, they have to wait for another 4 years in order to participate in the next presidential elections.
Deployment of the mobile Ballot Box No.18 in the mosque of POMC Residential Camp was massively welcomed by POMC personnel. Similar to Petropars Group Phase 12 and Phase 19 colleagues, the massive turnout by POMC personnel and workers came as a great surprise to the officials in charge of the 11th Presidential Elections who praised the extensive participation.