I feel fortunate to have got an opportunity to witness the biggest democratic exercise in the world in the sixth phase of ongoing Uttar Pradesh elections. Our batch was divided and sent to 10 districts and I was part of the group that went to Bulandshahar district. We could see district administration from close quarters and appreciate the gigantic and varied tasks that they perform from the time of press conference in Delhi announcing the dates of elections to the time of issuing of certificates to the winning candidates after the final counting of votes.
On the evening we reached Bulandshahar (26th Feb, 2012), the District Magistrate, Miss Kamni Chauhan Ratan hosted a formal dinner for us along with various Observers (senior officers from various states) sent by Election Commission of India (ECI). There were 7 IAS, 1 IPS and 2 IRS officers to act as independent observers for the entire process covering nomination phase, campaign related issues, enforcement of Model Code of Conduct (MCC), monitoring of election expenditure, actual poll day processes etc.
The next day (Pre-poll day), we were witness to the distribution of polling material (Electronic Voting Machines – EVMs, various stationery like posters, forms etc.) to the polling parties. The exercise of distribution of material and dispatch of polling parties to polling stations was monumental to say the least. We can gauge it from the fact at least 25000 people were present in Government Degree college premises collecting the material and leaving for respective villages (in hired busses as per the route charts worked out).
Man management itself looks to be the most challenging task in elections. There were more than 2000 polling stations in the district (total of 7 Assembly constituencies) with each station served by a polling party of at least 4 employees (one Presiding Officer and minimum 3 Polling Officers). Apart from them, there were 80 companies of Central Paramilitary Forces (about 8000 personnel) in this district itself in addition to equivalent number of home guards and state police deployed.
I cannot miss to write about the pain taken by the polling staff in conducting elections. They undergo training initially and later spend 3 consecutive days during the actual poll. They collect material amidst din, dirt and dust, travel in cramped busses assigned to them to the randomly selected villages, come back in the same busses to deposit EVMs and other forms amidst even more chaos at the allotted counters. Most crucially, they sit non-stop during the poll day in the booth probably without getting a chance to take food also.
ECI pays them honorarium for the days they devoted. However, I strongly felt that facilities given to them are far from satisfactory. They definitely deserve at least clean drinking water, packed food (as they are expected not to take food from anybody in the village on the poll day), toilet facilities and decent transportation back to their homes. What I saw in UP actually reflected the general conditions of civic amenities available like transportation, drinking water etc. If common citizens enjoy these facilities every day, it would not be an issue for the polling staff on the poll day.
On the decisive day of polls, me and our group leader Shweta were attached with the Returning Officer (R.O.) of Khurja constituency, Mr. Soumya Srivastava. Khurja seat is reserved for SCs this time and interestingly Rahul Gandhi was there in Khurja on the last day of campaign. We had an awesome experience visiting various polling stations throughout the day along with the R.O. and watching him troubleshooting on a variety of issues like non-functional EVMs, handling the media, law & order, bad behavior of polling staff etc. R.O. should have the knack of satisfactorily addressing the concerns of observers, media, polling agents, political parties, subordinates, superiors (including the ECI).
Most important of all, he should have the presence of mind and a cool head amidst non-stop ringing of his cell phones throughout the day. ECI heavily encouraged advertisement of phone numbers on its website and in all polling booths as well. Our R.O.’s both cell phones were continuously ringing with respect to poll complaints (many genuine and some vexatious by the political parties, media etc.), technical issues like non-functional EVMs (he was getting them replaced from the reserve EVMs), inefficiency or bad demeanor of polling staff (he was also replacing them as well), progress of voting (he was continuously taking the data from Sector Magistrates and Zonal Magistrates and relaying the poll percentage).
The R.O. also told us about the aggressive voter awareness campaign launched by the district administration under the guidance of the Collector. We saw hoardings, T-shirts with slogans ‘Do minute vote keliye’. Bulandshahar is also set to enter Guinness Book of World Records for the biggest rangoli, maximum of candles lit at the same time for voter awareness. The R.O. also told us about the necessity of sending clear signals to all the political parties and subordinates from the minute elections are announced. The Collector did proactive exercise and formed flying squads the next day of announcement of elections. These squads immediately ceased cash during raids and vehicle inspections sending clear signals about the serious intent of administration. We could also appreciate the coordination between the Collector and the SP which is an absolute must for such mammoth exercise.
However, the most heartening thing to see was the long queues of voters eagerly waiting to exercise their franchise. I felt so proud about our democracy when I saw disabled, old and the infirm apart from the young so eagerly coming and casting their votes. It reminded me of our responsibility of conducting the elections in a free and fair manner. In front of such satisfaction, sleepless nights, countless phone calls and endless visits to booths look so insignificant. What more bigger management challenge can I ask for than making 22 lakh voters vote peacefully and fearlessly with the support of almost 25000 employees?
Conducting elections is a process that can be continuously improved upon through use of technology and innovative ideas. Presently, the booth level Presiding Officer is expected to fill mind boggling variety of forms on the polling day. Even the most alert person can make a mistake while handling long queue of voters enthusiastically pushing to vote quickly & simultaneously filling myriad forms. Reduction of manual errors through automation is one big challenge. Similarly, lot more innovation can be thought about handling logistics of distribution & collection of polling material among thousands of polling staff. I am sure that many are already working on these issues. I am also eagerly looking forward to work in elections and make little contribution whatever I can.
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