Best electoral practices in Punjab, with special reference to the

Lok Sabha Poll - 2009

Presented By:

Shri P.S.Sandhu, AIG, Police, IT&T, Punjab

A secure and peaceful atmosphere is a necessary prerequisite for holding free and fair elections. Police bandobast during elections is therefore a task full of challenge and responsibility, especially in the case of a sensitive Border State such as Punjab. It requires meticulous, advance planning and orientation, so as to ensure that the ECI Instructions and guidelines are complied with, for the conduct of free and fair elections.

Experiences associated with the conduct of previous elections in general and the recent Lok Sabha Election-2009 in particular have given rise to certain practices which may form good precedents for future elections. These are :-

1. Phased Poll : For the first time in the electoral history of Punjab, polling was held in two phases, i.e. on 7th and 13th May 2009. This proved to be a great boon in every aspect. Apart from allowing better supervision at the micro level, it also facilitated the availability of additional resources because now a great part of the resources could be used twice, thus almost doubling their utility. Optimal manpower was mobilized for the 2nd Phase by de-inducting and re-deploying some of the force deployed in the 1st Phase districts. Though the de-induction and re-induction of manpower required meticulous planning and control, the entire operation went off without a hitch. Specific areas had been identified in advance, from where manpower and other resources could be de-inducted after polling in the 1st Phase, for further deployment in the 2nd Phase. Each unit/personnel was well briefed about their duties well in advance.

2. Co-ordination & Control: Under the command of ADGP/EC, the Central Police Election Cell (CPEC) remains functional throughout the year in a separate office with the help of a skeletal staff. During election time however, additional staff is taken on temporary attachment to make this cell fully operational. During the Lok Sabha Elections 2009, the Central Police Election Cell was made fully operational by the 1st week of February 2009, i.e. over 3 months prior to the elections, with additional staff drawn from various police units in the State. For the smooth and timely induction and de-induction of CPMF and SAP drawn from other states, a State level Co-ordination Group was set up under the supervision of an IG rank officer. Special care was taken to look after CPMF/SAP officers/personnel. The state police machinery was then kick started into election mode under the supervision of ADGP/EC. District Level election cells were got constituted and made operational well in advance, each under the supervision of a Gazetted Officer. This ensured effective co-ordination and control, with the State Chief Electoral Officer on one side and the District Election Cells on the other. In fact, the successful conduct of these elections without a single re-poll being ordered was largely due to the perfect co-ordination between the CEO/PB and the ADGP/EC

3. Advance Planning: An appraisal of all available resources was carried out by the CPEC, based upon which the requirement of additional resources was worked out well in advance, with the help of inputs obtained from field units. A detailed projection of additional of funds and manpower required for the conduct of elections was then made to the State Government. Significantly, the projected requirement of funds as well as manpower was fully met by the Government/ECI, to the tune of Rs. 12.43 Crores and 200 Coys of CPMF/SAP. This proved to be an important factor in ensuring a smooth and peaceful election.

4. ECI Instructions & MCOC- Compliance thereof-: During the Lok Sabha Poll 2009, latest instructions received from the ECI were promptly disseminated among the field units. However, in order to sensitize and properly educate the police personnel to be deployed on election related duties, relevant ECI Instructions were translated into Punjabi, compiled and printed in booklet form and distributed free of cost among the duty personnel. These booklets proved very handy during the elections as they provided ready access to the intricacies of the Model Code of Conduct in simple vernacular to the police rank and file, thus making their task much easier. In compliance with ECI directions regarding postings/transfers, those police officers who were posted in their home districts or who had remained posted in the same place for the past three consecutive years, were identified and were got posted out, before the Model Code of Conduct came into force.

5. Sensitivity Norms:Special attention was paid to the proper application of norms governing the sensitivity of polling stations, and the level of security to be provided at each polling booth/polling station. Previous data on sensitivity of polling stations was revised and rationalized in an objective manner in the light of fresh criteria, viz proximity to border, political rivalries, religious / caste factors, history of violence & incidence of crime etc.

6. Communication: For the first time, limited validity SIM cards were distributed among key officials of the CPMF, SAP and field units. In addition, mobile phone numbers of all officers deployed on election duties in the field and in the election cells were also procured and compiled by the Central Police Election Cell, and provided to all concerned, especially officers of outside forces, i.e. the CPMF/SAP. All police parties on static/patrolling duties were accessible vide cell phones/radio, thus forming an effective chain of command. The usefulness of Video-Conferencing had already been discussed earlier. In addition, the use of Internet/E-Mail greatly expedited the state-widecollection and dissemination of election related information.

7. Video Conferencing: During the Lok Sabha Elections-2009, the facility of video conferencing was put to practical use for the very first time. It proved extremely useful, as it greatly improved the level of co-ordination, command and control, and field officers were able to devote more time to their districts/constituencies as their valuable time was not lost in transit to and from Chandigarh.

8. Patrolling Parties : For the first time, on the instructions of the ECI, detailed Route Zone Plans were prepared for each district. Each patrolling party was equipped with VHF Sets each manned by an operator. Patrolling parties were allotted specific and fixed areas of operation, which were mapped out in such a way as to avoid overlapping and to also allow the patrolling party to reach any trouble spot within a few minutes. This greatly increased the visible presence of the police, and reduced the reaction time taken by the police to reach the scene of any disturbance.

9. Election Complaints: A separate cell was setup within the CPEC at police headquarters, where election complaints were received, got enquired into in a time bound manner, and reports were sent to the CEO and the government within 48 hours of receipt of the complaint.

10.Law & Order:

As directed by the ECI, a daily report of law & order was sent to the CEO. A special report on the status of election related cases registered on the days of polling was initiated during these elections. This report continues to be sent till date, on a monthly basis, and will continue till completion of investigation of all the cases.

During previous elections police personnel deployed at polling stations would receive lump-sum payments ranging from Rs. 200 to 500 for the two days of polling station duty performed by them. But the personnel who performed rigorous duties for periods ranging from almost 3 months to 40 days prior to polling in the Central/District Election Cells, Patrolling Parties and for the Security of Observers/Candidates were not receiving any remuneration. At the same time, officials of Revenue/Other departments were receiving as honorarium up to one month’s salary. To end this disparity, a detailed, well reasoned proposal was prepared on the basis of latest ECI guidelines on the subject and forwarded to the Government. This proposal is currently under consideration with the State Government. The categories of staff eligible for award of honorarium have been finalized by the Government in consultation with the CEO, Punjab. The payment of honorarium would go a long way in boosting the morale of the state police and in enhancing their level of commitment to election duty, in the future.

11. Award of Honorarium to Police Personnel :