“Greater Participation for a Stronger Democracy.” Presented By: Shri Devesh Kumar, DEO, Chamba, H.P.

Total Number of Sub Division 6 Total Number of ERO’s 5 Total Number of AC’s 5 Total Number of Blocks 7 Area ( in Sq Kms ) 6528 Population (Projected upto 2010 ) Total Number of Electors Elector Population Ratio (per thousand) 575 Total Residual Electors (as on ) Gender Ratio 1003 Population Density ( PKM ) 71 Literacy Rate (As per Census 2001) % Total Households Rural Households Total Road Network (In Kms) Chamba at a Glance “Greater Participation for a Stronger Democracy.”

The Electoral Roll a ‘holy Document’…. In democratic countries like India, Election is the Major exercises to elect the people’s representatives to form the Government. The most important basic document for conduct of election in India is the ‘electoral roll’. The basic foundation of India’s status as the largest democracy in the world is its electoral roll.

Constituency wise Information on EPIC & Photo Coverage in Current Rolls Assembly Constituency Total Elector s Total Photos in the Roll Non- Photo Entries % of Non Photo Entries Total EPIC Holders Residual Electors (Without EPIC) % of Residual Electors Latest %age of EPIC coverag e against roll No.Name 1 CHURAH BH ARMOUR CHAMBA DALHOUSIE BHATTIYAT Total

In a district like Chamba, which borders other Districts like Kangra, Lahul and Spiti and Border of J&K and Punjab, from where suspected and alleged resident, through porous border, thus the possibility of dual registration cannot be ignored Unabated heavy migration of Shepard’s ( Gaddi and Gujjars) forces to the tune of voters per year (as assumed). “Greater Participation for a Stronger Democracy.”

The upcoming Challenges and issues faced during preparation of Electoral Rolls: Highly spread Habitation pattern Houses on Hills Second largest district in area Population in Rural Area =4,26,345* Where as Distt Total population =4,60,887* Still No roads in many pockets of Distt. Out of 1,118 villages * only 570 villages are connected Low Literacy rate Voters not having photographs Literacy Rate* % Non Availability of Photographers and Photo labs in the vicinity. Like tribal AC- 2 (Bharmour and Pangi) has = 6299 Residual Electors as on * As per Census 2001 “Greater Participation for a Stronger Democracy.” Challenges in Areas

The upcoming Challenges and issues faced during preparation of Electoral Rolls: Inter migration of electors/ voters No permanent Machinery for continuous updation. The Work is assigned to the BLO’s who is already over burdened with their own departmental works. Election work seen as an “additional burden.” The migration of Electors (Gaddi, Gijjars, Students, Job holders) migrate for fodder or better livelihood. Technical issues Various kind of software are being used to prepare E Roll, where as no trained human resources, operating model, connectivity are available. Mismatch of photo due to shortage of time and supporting staff “Greater Participation for a Stronger Democracy.” Challenges in Areas

The upcoming Challenges and issues faced during preparation of Electoral Rolls: Challenges in Areas Very Low reach of electronic print media Difficulty in accessing people during day time Non accessibility of Electronic and print media. Weak mobile connectivity due to hilly terrains and far flung area, weak signal connectivity of radio and Doordarshan Mostly people remain away from their houses for livelihood, fodder and firewood. “Greater Participation for a Stronger Democracy.” Font Conversion The revision forms are in Hindi only. While entry in software conversion is made from English language to Hindi which sometimes result to error in names.

“Greater Participation for a Stronger Democracy.” The upcoming Challenges and issues faced during preparation of Electoral Rolls: Challenges in Areas Non participation of political parties Migration Non appointed of BLA’s and low interest of political parties for making error free rolls. They make complaints at 11 th hour. Avg 62% Tribal Electors usually migrate in the winters to lower parts of Distt Kangra and areas of Punjab State and while in summer they move to uphills. Suo Motto Deletion of Name at Normal place of residence The working class and students remain out of their residence, even family members or neighbours do not disclose their names to struck off from E Roll which is a major challenge for updation.

“Greater Participation for a Stronger Democracy.” Voters not having photographs The marginal electors are remained to provide EPIC for collection of their photographs. The house to house efforts through BLO’s/ BLA’s and PRI’s Inter migration of electors/ voters Involvement of PRIs and placing electoral roll in the Gram Sabha meeting and getting endorsement before addition, deletion and examination of any claims. Conduct of special electoral roll survey and preparation of electoral data base for the border ACs, through examination and studies to be conducted.. Flawless electoral roll and EPIC should be the top most priority.

“Greater Participation for a Stronger Democracy.” No permanent Machinery for continuous updation. Training of BLOs & BLAs together with PRI representatives members of Gram Sabhas and Zilla Parishad in rural areas and Ward Councilors in Urban areas. To achieve proper electoral roll preparation, it is to be ascertained at grass root level namely, BLOs and BLA to discharge duties together, i.e., work jointly...

“Greater Participation for a Stronger Democracy.” Technical issues EROs office should be strengthened by the way of increase in Man Power. It is observed that the office of ERO gets activated only during the revision of electoral roll and at the time of elections. This is creating lot of problem for maintaining proper records and many times the photos provided by the voters are mismatched. Voters feel bad if they are asked to provide photos for second time.

“Greater Participation for a Stronger Democracy.” Technical issues Capacity building of EROs and AEROs and providing computer knowing staff. Separate software and database for migrant voters/electors at district and state level.

“Greater Participation for a Stronger Democracy.” Lot of errors were reported in EPICs. The work of preparation of EPIC need to be monitored closely and accomplished with skills and expertise. The jobs should be on continuous basis. ERO’s Office should be strengthened by the way of Manpower. It is observed that the office of ERO gets activated only during the revision of Electoral Rolls. This is creating a lot of problem for maintaining proper records and many times the photos provided by the voters are mismatched. Voters feel bad if they are asked to provide the photo time and again. Software prepared for Updation of Electoral Roll is not error free. Specially, there is a problem of spelling in names, while conversion in Hindi. Thus, the software can be made totally error free and more user-friendly.

“Greater Participation for a Stronger Democracy.” The EPIC should be made compulsory document for benefits of Govt. schemes like MGNREGA, Old aged Pension, Awas Yojna, ration card etc. In the present system voter can get enrolled easily in place where he is ordinary resides, which leads to dual registration of that elector. The time period limit for stay at a place should be fixed for registration. Action need to be initiated against dual registered electors. Action need to be taken on the enumerators who recommend inclusion of the names of ineligible voters without proper verification. Even though provision are there for the above.

“Greater Participation for a Stronger Democracy.” Management of electoral roll poses certain unique challenges and there are multiple factors responsible for this. Obviously the electoral roll is the ‘mother’ of all the pre-requisite for the conduct of election and statutory too. With rapid changes in the election processes the magnitude of the challenge has increased and the need for having different strategy to tackle the issue. Issues related to administrative structure, roll management, reaching out to the citizens and poll management etc to be taken care of and need sustained development.

“Greater Participation for a Stronger Democracy.”