In the world’s largest democracy, elections pose an immense challenge with respect to logistics and man, woman and material management. The Collectors and District Magistrates are in incharge of conducting free and fair elections in their district. They have to consult all stakeholders, maintain law and order, and ensure that the election is conducted in a smooth and orderly manner, and all voters are able to cast their votes fearlessly and conveniently. Dr. Saumya Jha, Collector & District Magistrate, Tonk, Rajasthan, spoke to ETGovernment on the steps that she is taking for ensuring smooth elections in her district.
Edited excerpts:
What steps is the district administration taking to ensure successful conduct of the upcoming Lok Sabha Elections in Tonk District?
Following the announcement of the election, which occurred during phase two, there was a notable gap between the announcement and the official notification of the election. The announcement came from the Election Commission on March 16, with the notification for phase two happening on March 28. I can discuss the preparations that occurred in phases, as there were differences between preparations before and after. Between March 16 and 28, our initial task was to inform everyone about the MCC model code of conduct, which we did through a press conference and by briefing political parties. Within 72 hours, we ensured compliance with guidelines. This involved removing all banners, posters, and any materials bearing the name of a political party from public and government locations, even those installed by officials. Within 72 hours, we removed such materials from private properties as well. Another important aspect was informing the public about the cVIGIL app, which allows citizens to report violations of the MCC. We encouraged citizens to use this app, resulting in a high number of complaints recorded within the first 72 hours. We maintained efficient complaint resolution times, with most issues being resolved within six minutes. These efforts ensured compliance with the MCC within the specified timeframe.
How do you see the impact of cVIGIL app on the final voter turnout and how are the people responding to it?
The impact of the cVIGIL app on the final voter turnout and the response from the people is significant. Over time, people have developed a sense of cynicism during elections, feeling that politicians show up during election season to make promises that they later forget. This sentiment has led to a widespread belief that individual votes don’t matter much in the grand scheme of things. However, the cVIGIL app has brought about a positive change. It provides citizens with a platform to report any suspicious activities or violations of electoral conduct directly to the district administration. This immediate feedback mechanism has instilled a sense of trust in the administration, as complaints are addressed promptly by law enforcement or government officials. There has been a restoration of faith in the electoral process, with citizens feeling empowered to hold authorities accountable. This renewed trust in the administration may also translate into increased voter participation, as people recognize the significance of their votes in shaping the outcome of elections.Social media undeniably has a significant impact nowadays, both positive and negative. How do you ensure the best possible usage of social media to ensure maximum voting and proper election management?
Certainly, social media is a crucial component of our strategy. We have our sweep programme, focused on systematic voter participation. Through this initiative, we consistently appeal to voters to encourage their participation. Social media serves as a powerful tool for engaging with all segments of voters, including the youth and various demographics. We leverage social media platforms to encourage voters to visit polling centers and address any voting-related doubts they may have. Additionally, we collaborate with district icons, such as sports personalities, social media influencers, and fashion figures, who wield influence over specific sections of society. They actively engage with their followers, encouraging them to vote. While social media offers numerous benefits, it also poses challenges, particularly with the spread of fake news. To mitigate this, we have robust Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in place. We maintain a media cell and monitoring committee at all levels to monitor traditional and social media platforms for misinformation. The instances of misinformation are promptly reported to the Chief Electoral Office, and appropriate actions are taken to address the situation. Corrective measures, including posting rejoinders and counters, are implemented on our social media handles and those of relevant authorities. In cases of egregious misinformation, we liaise with the state rural police officer to facilitate the removal of such posts from social media platforms.
Considering the fact that the elections are being held in peak summer, are you taking some initiatives to ensure easy and quick access to polling booths, so that voters don’t get exhausted standing in long lines?
Polling booths are strategically located within walking distance, typically not exceeding three to four kilometers, ensuring accessibility for voters. However, given the summer season, additional measures have been taken. We are ensuring that every polling booth has a functioning drinking water facility. Shade is being provided at each polling location, with shaded areas equipped with drinking water facilities. Efforts are made to open extra rooms with ceiling fans and drinking water for voter comfort. Chairs are placed near queues, allowing voters to rest if necessary. Discussions are ongoing regarding further measures, particularly during the peak hours of 12 to 3 PM. Medical kits are available at all polling centers, with doctors on standby to address issues. Assessments are being conducted to determine additional measures that may be required.
Are there any plans to introduce initiatives like selfie booths to engage the young voters?
Several measures have been proposed, with the selfie booth being one concept. Another idea is to recognize first-time voters or newly married couples who cast their votes together, along with multi-generational families, by awarding them certificates for taking selfies and posting them in a group. Additionally, the first few voters at each polling station location may have the option to plant a tree, with their names added to the plant. This initiative aims to create lasting memories for participants. We are collaborating with individuals and groups in Tonk. They are considering various ideas, such as providing incentives like free sweets or discounts to voters. Discussions are ongoing to finalize these plans.
Do you anticipate an increase in female voter turnout due to your efforts to encourage women to vote?
Tonk has a good percentage of women voters. In the last elections, we didn’t observe a significant gap between male and female voter turnout. Even before the elections were announced, we took several steps. Firstly, we aimed to sanitize our voter rolls. We ensured to check the patch on the portal where marriages are registered. If we identified any marriages where a woman entered a new family or left her previous one, we would contact the woman or her family members to confirm if they needed to update or delete their names from the voter rolls. This helped us sanitize the rolls effectively.
We have actively engaged with women’s groups this time around. We held numerous conferences with them and conducted surveys. About 20,000 people participated, with 70% being women. They were asked questions such as whether they intended to cast their vote and if not, what reasons prevented them from doing so. Reasons could include distance, lack of identification (EPIC), or time constraints due to work. Based on the survey results, we organized workshops at the district level, which will soon extend to block and village levels. These workshops aim to address concerns raised in the survey through appropriate measures.
For instance, if someone lacks an ID, we inform them about acceptable identification alternatives. If time constraints are an issue, we emphasize the proximity of the polling booth and highlight special arrangements for elderly or disabled voters, such as transportation services to and from their homes. We are optimistic that these efforts will contribute to increased female voter turnout.
The concept of voting from home appears to be successful. How is it progressing in your district?
In our district, we have two categories of voters who can avail the facility of voting from home. Firstly, individuals who are above 85 years, and secondly, individuals who have some form of disability. Those eligible can apply through Form 12D. Once the form is approved, a timetable is created, and the voters are informed via SMS at least three days prior to the scheduled visit of the polling team to their homes. The visits are scheduled between the 14th and 19th. In the event that the voter is not found at home during the initial visit, a second visit is scheduled between the 21st and the 26th. There is significant interest in this initiative, with around 1300 people having applied for voting from home this time.
Young and new voters sometimes face technical issues such as discrepancies in the voter list or their voter ID cards. Do you believe that the initiatives you are implementing to assist them will encourage greater voter turnout among this demographic?
Like you said, many people, especially those studying in colleges, faced confusion about whether to keep their name on the electoral roll of their hometown or register in Tonk. We addressed these concerns and resolved issues related to voter registration. We have around 70 colleges in Tonk, and when we engaged with the students, we found that most of them are eager to participate in the voting process. However, many lacked voter ID cards or had incorrect addresses on their cards. By facilitating them and resolving these issues, we received a tremendous response. We were expecting around 4,000 to 5,000 new registrations, but the actual number exceeded our expectations.
