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.