Post on 01-Apr-2015
Lok Sabha Election , 2014A Success Story from Bihar: Nalanda District
AAP KI VOTE AAP KI TAAKAT
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BACKGROUND
Background
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• Lok Sabha Elections, 2014, landmark shift in ECI approach with emphasis on participative elections.
• Nalanda : A paradox
• Earliest seat of wisdom and learning with international acclaim
• Only 1 out of every 3 eligible voters in the district exercised their franchise in the LS- 2009.
• One of the lowest VTR in the country 33%
• Female participation 29%
• Based on broad framework of ECI SVEEP strategy, customised and improvised at District level
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CHALLENGES
Key Challenges
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• Stakeholder Analysis:
• (a) Urban apathy, (b) Rural apathy (c) Female apathy.
− Lack of awareness about importance of voting
− Lack of knowledge about electoral procedures
− Unwelcoming booth ambience
− Lack of enthusiasm in the youth
− Migrant population
− Curfew –Like situation on poll day
• SWOT analysis –Bleak past legacy of low voter turnout
• Conversion of the weaknesses into strength and threats into opportunities
• Adoption of multi-pronged long drawn strategy over two months
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STRATEGY
Multi ProngedStrategy
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IMPLEMENTATION
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Public CommunicationImplementation
• Election logo “Nalanda Votes” with a quote “Aap ki Vote Aap ki Taakat” was designed and was used in all official letters as a means for public communication
• Effective use of mass media
• Strategic selection of locations such as railways stations, Bank, Post Office, Bus Stand, Market Centres , Rural Haats
• Use of Hoardings and wall paintings carrying slogans in local dialect used to encourage voters to exercise their right to vote.
• Date of Poll emphasised
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Public CommunicationImplementation
• Door- to- Door movement of ‘Preraks’ of National Literacy Mission and civil society groups across rural & urban areas
• Special promotion activities on National Voters Day, Bihar Diwas, Women’s Day & festive occasions such as Holika Dahan
• State Icons invited for maximum impact
• Publicity through print & electronic media, local cable TV channels, radio stations and cinema halls
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Public CommunicationImplementation
• Cartoons and posters for effective communication
• Regular Press Briefings and media interactions
• Leading by Example
• Casting of votes by all important district officials on the voting day helped in sending positive message to the public
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Public Communication - CartoonsImplementation
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Public Communication – Rallies, Door to Door Activities & Hoardings
Implementation
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Gender, Urban & Youth ParticipationImplementation
• International Women’s Day was leveraged to urge female voters to vote
• Women were mobilized from households in minority dominated areas
• Anganwadi Sewikas, Asha workers, Sakshar Bharat Preraks) participated in spreading awareness through rallies & street plays across urban & rural areas
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Women, Urban & Youth ParticipationImplementation
• Women were involved and sensitized through house to house contacts, melas and street plays
• Special voter registration drives & issue of Election Photo Identity Cards (EPIC) were conducted for female voters.
• District Icon
• Head SVEEP Committee
• State Icon
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Gender, Urban & Youth ParticipationImplementation
• Demonstrated power of vote through street plays, human chains, cycle races, processions etc. to overcome urban apathy
• Campaigns for shopkeepers/vendors through signing of ‘Sankalp Patras’
• Awareness activities at places of heavy footfall including bus stands, railway stations etc.
• Special voter registration drives & issue of Election Photo Identity Cards (EPIC) for urban voters
• Active participation of girls as campus ambassadors.
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Women, Urban & Youth ParticipationImplementation
• Various events were organised such as quiz, debates, singing competition, cycle race across colleges to spread the message of election & voting
• Interaction with Rural Voters at Schools, Rangoli Activity, etc. were undertaken to generate awareness
• Active participation of school girls :
• Private and Government
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Voter Education & AwarenessImplementation
• Nukkad-Natak at Chowk-Chaouraha/ Anganbari Centers were organized
• Special events were held such as forming human chains with candles, oath taking for ethical voting at public gatherings, cycle rallies etc. in order to motivate voters
• Cultural programmes & similar events were organised to spread the message of election as a festival
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Voter Education & Awareness, contd. Implementation
• Awareness was spread through school going children to their parents/family for participation in the election through Sankalp Patras
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Voter FacilitationImplementation
• Special Registration drives for left out voters
• 17 lakhs(85%) Photo Voter slips were distributed ahead of poll day through BLO
• 257 model polling stations
• Call centre to help voters in searching their names in voter list andidentifying their polling station.
• Multiple visits to polling booths with lowest VTR in LS 2009
• Android based Basic Minimum Facility mapping
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Voter FacilitationImplementation
• Polling booths were decorated with festoons & colored papers so as to create a festive mood and not a curfew like situation
• Provision of drinking water, sheds, toilets for women, ramp, first aid for physically disabled & old persons across all polling booths were made
• Proper law and order arrangements inside polling booths was ensured including management of queues & voter friendly environment
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Training & Capacity BuildingImplementation
• Training of trainers was organized for presiding officers for a hassle free voting experience on polling day
• Trainings were imparted to all the booth level officers, sensitizing them on the important issues relating to roll revision
• Electors were trained about the NOTA facility in the ballot unit
• Self-help groups members were trained through meetings / training session for conducting awareness campaigns across communities in remote locations
• EVM demonstration and hands-on training was imparted particularly in the rural and remote areas
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Technology & Social MediaImplementation
• Awareness activities were undertaken through social media platforms like facebook in order to proactively engage youth voters
• Polling date reminders and polling station details were sent through SMS
• Mobile based technologies like IVRS, Caller Tunes etc. were used for awareness creation
• Polling station locations search facility was provided through GIS/Google map
• District website was used to receive queries/complaints from voters
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CollaborationImplementation
• Information and Public Relations Department, Education Department AIR, Doordarshan, local cable operators were made partners in this endeavour
• Self Help Groups: leveraging their reach
• Tie ups were made with anganwadi centers, railway stations, ATM counters, Sudha milk counters, banks buildings for IEC display
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Monitoring & EvaluationImplementation
• Formation of District and block level SVEEP Core Committees
• Strict adherence to carefully drafted timelines
• Control chart with mobile numbers, name and designation of the relevant functionaries were prepared to ensure effective monitoring
• Multiple visits to poorest turnout booths on the lines of RI
• Regular video conferencing, meetings to ensure proper communication and progress evaluation of partners and field functionaries,
• Evaluation and documentation of every field reports/activities were undertaken at the requisite level
OUTCOMES
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2009 20140
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10
15
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17.2
19.5
5.69
9.22
Registered votersLinear (Registered voters)
No
s. in
lakh
s
62% growth
13% growth
Turnout 33.1%
Turnout 47.3%
• 62% growth in no. of votes cast at polling stations
− Significant increase in increase in Female voters - 79%
− 50% increase in Male voters
• Voters turnout improved from 33.1% in 2009 to 47.3% in 2014
− Significant improvement in Female voters turnout - from 29.1% in 2009 to 45.8% in 2014
− Male voters turnout improved from 36.5% in 2009 to 48.6% in 2014
• 13% growth in Registered voters
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Thank you
Thank YouTHANK YOU