It's a woman's world in Goa

Male officials eager to be consigned to sunny Goa for work have been rejected after reports of drinking and partying on the job. Photo / AP

The relaxed charms and sunny weather of the Indian state of Goa lure people from around the world. Little wonder then, that the country's male election officials are keen to put themselves forward for a little duty in the sun.

Such has been the number of applications from officers ahead of the election for the state's legislative assembly in March, that senior officials have decided to take drastic action: by sending only women.

A report in the Times of India claimed that in previous polls, male election officers had spent too much time drinking and partying on duty. It added that in some cases, the cost of the knees-up was being met by the candidates the election officials were meant to be monitoring.

A senior election official, who asked not to be identified, confirmed that a 20-strong team of female officers was being sent to Goa.

"Goa is a tourist destination. We used to get lots of requests to be deputed there. By taking this decision to have only women, we have pre-empted [the situation]," he said.

The report did not say why women were considered less likely to fall for Goa's extra-curricula activities.

The official told the paper: "It is unfortunate but male officers see a month-long stint as observer as a holiday in Goa. The commission is in no mood to oblige them."

- INDEPENDENT