challenges in the management of electoral rolls priyank bharti, ias dc cum deo, jalandhar, punjab
TRANSCRIPT
Challenges in the Management of Electoral
Rolls
Priyank Bharti, IASDC Cum DEO, Jalandhar, Punjab
Article 326 envisages
“ALL and
ONLY the ELIGIBLE
should be enlisted for voting into the Electoral Rolls”
Major Components of Eligible Voter Citizen of India Adult Suffrage (18 Yrs) Ordinary Residency – Permanent / Temporary,
in the Constituency
Other Components Photographs Duplication of votes EPICs Other details and conditions
Firstly to ensure that conditions are met Secondly to ensure that all entitled are
enlisted
……Just imagineOn an Average there are
Around 1.5 lacs voters 40 thousand households 135 Polling Stations Scattered over 430 sq. kms area
in an Assembly Constituency
INFORMATION OF VOTERS – WHERE TO COLLECT !
No Comprehensive Data-Base of Population available Floating Population in Urban Areas Adults working Students (Literate) generally out for colleges,
schools Women many a times are illiterate and not aware of
the documents, proof and copies thereof Photographs not readily available
Elections and especially the voter lists are not taken seriously by the voters
BOOTH LEVEL OFFICERS Generally Group-C Officials (Clerical
Grade) from Government Departments.. who can’t escape now
Pressure of Work from the Parent Department
Family exigencies No Secretariat assistance – all on oneself.
Too much of work and reporting. Moving on foot Running against time Having greatest responsibility
….Highly De-motivated
ELECTORAL REGISTRATION OFFICERS (ERO) Mostly fresh IAS Officers or PCS Officers Shortage of officers and officials in the
state Lots of other ‘High Priority’ jobs .. And no
end to it Lack of infrastructure ... Fax, manpower,
space for meetings, funds etc.….Becomes a ‘Routine’ Exercise
POLITICAL PARITIES AND POLITICIANS Political Parties and Politicians at cross
purpose with the EROs and the exercise. Feeling of suspicion No Seriousness. Party HQ not very
pressing. Most Importantly the Candidates finalized only at the last moment.….Considers it a Routine Exercise
EXTERNAL AGENCY FOR PRINTING AND INCLUSION OF PHOTOGRAPHS, EPIC Printing Outsourced Photography and Inclusion thereof
outsourced Mismatch in Data
EPIC job outsourced Mismatch in Data
Electoral RollElectoral Roll
AS FAR AS VOTERS Database of UID / Census and integration
with Electoral Roll Data Base Information campaigns Specific targeting
Colleges Industrial Houses Villages
ERO’S One Revision per Year at the most Providing Monetary Incentives
Not possible to relieve from other Multifarious duties Will not be observed as a ‘Routing Affair’ Even forceful message of seriousness of Election
Commission Consolidation of EROs offices
Manpower, office infrastructure Funds cushion.....consolidation with local elections requirements too
Refinement in Information requirements
BOOTH LEVEL OFFICERS One Revision per Year at the most Spanning 3-5 Days Providing Better Monetary Incentives Departments like Posts, Insurance
Companies, Banking Officials to be also involved as BLOs
Exemptions to departments be reviewed Refinement in Information requirements Usage of Technology. Through SMS
updation of reports.