P.AMUDHA,DISTRICT COLLECTOR

DHARMAPURI,TAMILNADU

Voter’s Education:

New ways and Alliances

LS 2009 : 10 Dharmapuri Voting percentage…

LS 2009 - percentage of votes polled in six assembly segments of 10 Dharmapuri

66.0068.0070.0072.0074.0076.0078.0080.00

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Assembly segments of 10 Dharmapuri

Per

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57 - Palacode

58 - Pennagaram

59 - Dharmapuri

60 - Pappireddipatti

61 - Harur(SC)

84 - Mettur

Bye Elections…March 2010

Percentage of votes polled in Pennagaram ( 2004-2010)

50.10

72.0677.72

84.94

0.0010.0020.0030.0040.0050.0060.0070.0080.0090.00

LS 2004 TNLA 2006 LS 2009 Bye Election toTNLA 2010

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Voter Education Voter education is part and

parcel of any free and fair elections in the country

Fundamental goal should be to create public awareness on election related matters and to enable people to fully participate in choosing their leaders.

It is crucial for the civic organizations, media and other key partners to play a significant role.

Who all should Educate Who all should Educate VotersVoters The Election Commission of India,The Election Commission of India, State and District election officersState and District election officers The Political parties and candidates,The Political parties and candidates, The NGOs,The NGOs, The MediaThe Media The Educational Institutions.The Educational Institutions.

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Have a big responsibility to educate the general public, particularly the voters on the meaning, processes and essence of electoral procedures and elections.

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Election Commission funds Voter education Election Commission funds Voter education activitiesactivities

Fund provided to CEOs to give Newspaper inserts, radio Fund provided to CEOs to give Newspaper inserts, radio jingles, television spots, Banners, posters and produce jingles, television spots, Banners, posters and produce literatureliterature

In rural areas – drum beating, chaupal (village assemblies) In rural areas – drum beating, chaupal (village assemblies) etcetc

Electoral Rolls displayed and read in local bodies like Gram Electoral Rolls displayed and read in local bodies like Gram Sabhas and Resident’s Welfare Associations etc.Sabhas and Resident’s Welfare Associations etc.

To enable voters to make an informed choiceTo enable voters to make an informed choice - All candidates are required to declare their criminal past, - All candidates are required to declare their criminal past,

educational qualifications, assets and liabilities etc.- educational qualifications, assets and liabilities etc.- Affidavits filed displayed publicly and also put on the EC Affidavits filed displayed publicly and also put on the EC website.website.

Efforts on to make information on poll expenses public.Efforts on to make information on poll expenses public.

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Ingredients of a Credible Ingredients of a Credible Election Election Correct electoral rolls - fair opportunity is given to all Correct electoral rolls - fair opportunity is given to all

for addition and deletion of namesfor addition and deletion of names Freedom for filing nominations to all eligible persons Freedom for filing nominations to all eligible persons No coercion – for abstention or casting votesNo coercion – for abstention or casting votes Proper enforcement of Model Code of Conduct to Proper enforcement of Model Code of Conduct to

create a level playing fieldcreate a level playing field Expenses by the candidates within the prescribed Expenses by the candidates within the prescribed

limitslimits Conditions – in which an average elector feels Conditions – in which an average elector feels

secure for casting his vote freely without any fear secure for casting his vote freely without any fear Complete transparency in all electoral operationsComplete transparency in all electoral operations

Partners/Stakeholders in Voter’s Education

1. Political parties and candidates

2. Resident Associations and Educational institutions

3. Self Help groups

4. Youth clubs/Fan clubs

5. NGOs/Watch dog committees

6. Press and Media

Political parties Enrollment of

voters Poll date Polling station

locations/ relocations

How to cast the vote in EVM

Resident Associations and Educational institutionsSelf Help groupsYouth clubs/Fan clubs Enrollment EPIC Awareness on

importance of voting

1. Political parties

They are the real stake They are the real stake holders and hence play holders and hence play crucial role in voter educationcrucial role in voter education

Educate voters on Poll date Location of polling station Contesting candidates Casting Vote on EVM

Educate voters through Educate voters through Advertisements Advertisements Person to person contact Person to person contact Public meetings Public meetings Posters / PamphletsPosters / Pamphlets Rallies Rallies Festivals and fairs Festivals and fairs

2. Resident Associations and Educational institutions

Educate voters on Being a responsible

citizen and Importance of voting

Supply and collection of Forms For enrollment of college

students- First time/ new voters.

Getting EPIC and Distribution

Meetings Handbills

3. Self Help groups and Youth /Fan clubs

Using of SHG network and youth clubs Training of SHG leaders

and motivators for educating the women and youth

Enrolling as a voter and help others

Importance of Voting Not to accept freebies Not to indulge in bogus

voting/impersonation How to register compliant

for MCC violations

NGOs/Press and Media

Enrollment of voters EPIC Awareness on

importance of voting How to cast the vote in

EVM Rule 49 O Candidates profile Complaints and

grievance redressal

General messages through PRESS /MEDIAto be broadcast throughout the campaign

Right to Vote Be a Responsible Citizen Enroll yourself as voter Get your EPIC card Cooperate with Booth level officers during

house visit Rule 49 O Do’s and Don’t on polling day

Pre – Poll arrangements messages thro press/ media Affidavit filed by Contesting candidates Relocated polling stations Arrangements for safety and security of voters

Deployment of Central protection forces ECI Observers arrival and contact information Election Cell and Complaint/grievance redressal

unit- contact numbers Transparency in the process of EVM preparation Citizen interface centres for familiarisation with

EVMs

Before Polling Day

Three main messages: how to locate your

polling centre how to correctly cast

your vote in the EVM voter eligibility - which

documents to bring on Election Day

POSTERS/PAMPHLETSPRESS RELEASE

Role of Press /Media Storage of EVMs and counting Safety and security of

polled EVMs Transparency in counting of

votes Presence of candidates and

counting agents Role of observers

Random check of EVMs Media Centre Video recording of all

events in Counting centre Display of roundwise results

Voter education programme… A good voter education programme will tell

voters about their rights, how to exercise them and how the system works. It must also explain the effects of corruption and

the need for integrity in the public service and the electoral process.

P.AMUDHA,DISTRICT COLLECTOR

DHARMAPURI,TAMILNADU

All the partners and stakeholders have to fully participate to educate our people with the aim of free and fair elections as this will consolidate national peace and solidarity, enhance democracy and spearhead good governance in our country.

P.AMUDHA,DISTRICT COLLECTOR

DHARMAPURI,TAMILNADU

THANK YOU