1, Voter SMS- an m-governance initiative

2, Regaining the confidence of electors in troubled times : 2009 Kannur by-election experience

Dr. P B Salim IASDistrict Election Officer

Kozhikode, Kerala

Kozhikode District - Kerala

District Profile

Area (sq.km) : 2344Population (2001 census) : 28,79,131Literacy rate : 92.24 %Density of population : 1,228Assembly Constituencies : 13Parliamentary Constituencies: 2Taluks : 3Villages : 117Panchayats : 78

Voter SMS – an m-governance initiative

Ever increasing mobile penetration in IndiaPowerful tool in the deliveryof public servicesEasiest and quickest form of governanceTransparencyAccountabilityInstant access to services and information while on the move. A medium for empowering thecitizen

Why M-Governance ?

Democracy – Electoral rolls

Strength of Democracy : - right to vote and - enabling exercise of franchise by all

eligible citizens - name should be there in the electoral roll

Electoral rolls : - epicenter of all election related activities

- voter sms – an innovative way of managing the electoral roll

Dissemination of information

Prime duty of Election Managers :

- dissemination of information in a prompt; efficient and transparent way

Present system of information dissemination

Apathy of the new generation towards election process

Voter SMS

An m-governance initiative by District Administration , Kozhikode to provide the crucial electoral roll information to the citizens in a hassle free manner

Voter SMS

Voter SMS - Features

Voter can check his/her name in the voters list just by sending an SMS

Will provide the Constituency, booth and serial number and/or the EPIC card no of the voter

Service is available round the clock Done away with the need for

physical presence

Voter SMS – Format:1

Input Format Output Format

vote <space> EPIC Number

 

Eg : vote CCZ2876219

SMS to 9446460600

Voter’s name + Constituency Name + Booth name+ Sl. No.

Eg: Shameena – Cnstcy: Vatakara, Pol booth: Govt.MJB school Azhiyur, S.No:3

OR

Sorry….Your Name is not available in the voter’s list

Voter SMS – Format:2

Input Format Output Format

vote <space> Panchayat name <space> Voter’s Name <space> Relation Name

 

Eg : vote azhiyur Roshna Balan

SMS to 9446460600

If only one record,

EPIC Number + Constituency Name + Booth name + S.No.

Eg: CCZ56478 – Cnstcy: Vatakara, Pol booth: Govt.MJB school Azhiyur, S.No:3

If more records,

EPIC Number + House name

Eg: CCZ56478 Alakkal House

CCZ87453 Rose Villa

OR

Sorry….Your Name is not available in the voter’s list

Advantages

Mutually beneficial – to both general public and also election managers

Improves the overall quality and credibility of election process

In tandem with changing times

Voter SMS - requirements

Very simple – Total cost just Rs 50,000

Server/ PC Linux OS SMS set up Software Modem SIM Application software

2, Regaining the confidence of electors

in troubled times : 2009, kannur bye election

experience

Kannur by- election

Issues

Allegation and counter allegation over new ‘voters’ migrated from the neighboring constituencies

Massive irregularities in electoral roll

Alleged forgery of residency certificates to secure enrolment, in thousands

Kannur bye election

Continuous updation

In few wks time -

- 12,631 for inclusion- 8549 for deletion

7987 admitted6380 rejected - pressure on the

machinery

The controversy

Demand for re-doing the entire electoral roll

DEO replaced in just 14 days before poll

Media frenzy

Irregularities in voters list

Kannur by- election

Fake residence certificates

Challenges

To regain the credibility of election process in the district- by regaining the confidence of the electors

No fake voters to be allowed to vote , while all genuine electors to have a chance to cast their vote freely

Measures taken – pre poll

House to house verification of all cases of inclusion and deletion

Preparing PS wise list of apparent cases of fake (ASD) electors

Strict enforcement of model code of conduct

Outside party workers and leaders to leave the constituency 48 hrs before election time

Measures on day of Poll

100% scrutiny of electors identity at entry point of premises

Scan and videograph activities inside polling premises

Photography of every elector inside the booth

Fingerprinting of every elector inside the booth

Micro-observers to supervise100% security arrangements

Lessons learnt

Continuous updation - usual mistakes and it’s effect

Impact of deterrence measures

Regaining the confidence

Thank you

Dr P B Salim, IAS District Election Officer,

Kozhikode, kerala

E-mail : pbsalim@gmail.com