General Elections To Legislative Assembly, 2016

Chief Electoral Officer, West Bengal A NARRATIVE DOCUMENT

Sunil Kumar Gupta, IAS Chief Electoral Officer, West Bengal & Ex-officio Principal Secretary Home Department, Election Branch Government of West Bengal

From the desk of the Chief Electoral Officer…

he recently concluded General Elections on a three-pronged strategy involving intensive to the West Bengal Legislative Assembly preventive actions from the announcement of T2016 have been a watershed event in elections, extensive outreach and dialogue to many respects. In terms of scale and size, over build confidence amongst voters and strong 545 lakh voters exercised their democratic security arrangements including deployment of choice at 77,247 polling stations spread out from Central Armed Police Forces well ahead of the Himalayas to Indian Ocean over 7 poll days. The polling days. Our core philosophy pervading entire process of these elections is a testimony of all IT applications, welfare measures and voter- the collective will power and concerted efforts friendly initiatives was to make these elections permeating the entire election machinery more inclusive, participatory and accessible. which was facing new & daunting challenges and opening new vistas of innovation and The present document is an attempt to capture creativity. An elaborate planning exercise filled the important multi-faceted dimensions of with meticulous details of activities entailing this massive management event. Though not excellent coordination at all levels of election exhaustive, it is an excellent record of the major management and its diligent execution turned events and activities that were undertaken in this into a memorable election. quick succession and synchronously by a large and diverse government machinery working Preparations for the elections started nearly a practically day & night with a common goal. year before the polls were actually announced. Over the years, Elections in West Bengal have The Activity Calendar was developed and continued to remain a point of convergence shared with District Election Officers factoring of energy, dedication and perseverance of in timelines for completing each activity within thousands of faceless people, voters and polling its defined time-frame.I t required a sustained personnel, who make elections a success. I take application of mind and dedication at all levels this opportunity to congratulate all those who to timely complete the vast number and varied have contributed to making the WBLA Elections nature of activities to complete the collage, 2016 a success. but our election team members willingly took up this challenge and came out with flying I convey my heart-felt gratitude to the colours. These elections witnessed creativity Honourable Chief Election Commissioner revealed in refreshing variety when it came of , Dr. Nasim Zaidi, for his continuous to implementing the SVEEP strategies which guidance and unstinted support during the were soaked in local cultural traditions and entire election process. yet could effectively reach out to all voters, ensuring inclusion and equity. To ensure peaceful ambience and a level playing field for all stakeholders, Election Commission focused (S K Gupta) contents

1. election Preparedness and Statutory Matters 7 – 33 2. electoral Roll Management 35 – 54 3. evm Experiences 57 – 63 4. security Management 65 – 81 5. Public greivance Redressal : 83 – 96 Model Code of Conduct and SAMADHAN 6. expenditure Monitoring 99 – 116 C 7. training 119 – 123 8. systematic Voters' Education and 125 – 162 Electoral Participation Programme 9. it Interventions 165 – 181 10. Basic Minimum Facilities, Model Polling Stations, 183 – 196 Poll Personnel and Voters' Welfare 11. media Managemnt 199 – 218 12. new Initiatives: District Experiences 221 – 276 chapter

General Elections To West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016: Schedule, Preparedness, I Statutory & Other Issues

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 7 The Election Commission of India announced the and order situation and ascertained specific areas of schedule of General Elections to the West Bengal concern and reviewed the overall preparedness of the Legislative Assembly on 4th March with a plan for election machinery in the states and the . conduct of elections in six phases over seven Poll days At the State level, detailed discussions were held with across the state. Starting with the announcement of Police authorities, the telecom authorities including elections, it was to take 63 days to touch the sixth and private service providers to assess the law and Order final Poll Day and another 16 days by which the election situation and identification of mobile shadow zone process was mandatorily to be got over. To put records areas. The School Education and Higher Education straight, poll was going to take place in 77,247 Polling departments of the State government were consulted stations spread across 294 assembly constituencies in for tentative examination dates in order to avoid any which 659 lakhs of voters were enrolled to exercise their major inconvenience and multiplicity of usage caused choice. It required mobilization of nearly 4 lakhs polling due to the fact that Polling Stations are mostly located personnel and an equally impressive mobilization of in school buildings and teachers are engaged as polling personnel in districts and state, who functioned on the personnel. supply side of the election mechanism, contributing to the smooth conduct of election process. One major concern of the state was availability and deployment of Central and State Police Forces to In scheduling elections, the Election Commission takes ensure peaceful, free and fair election, especially in the into consideration a number of factors such as social, vulnerable areas and pockets. Mobilization, deployment educational, infrastructural, climatological and other and of forces with minimum criss-cross movement factors, both trivial and major. Equally importantly, in the and optimal utilization involved complex planning process of preparation of a meaningful election schedule, and detailed analysis. Areas once affected Left Wing it is absolutely essential that all the stake holders such Extremism were given special importance. as the Political Parties, the Chief Electoral Officers of the poll going states, the civil authorities, the security Schedule of WBLA Elections, 2016 and defence authorities, as well as the communication West Bengal Legislative Assembly Elections, 2016 were authorities are consulted and taken into confidence. By slated to be held in six phases involving 7 poll days virtue of its powers, duties and functions under Article starting on 4th April and ending on 5th day of May, 2016. 324 read with Article 172(1) of the The poll days were designed to minimise movement and Section 15 of Representation of the People Act, of Central Armed Paramilitary and State Police Forces. 1951, the Commission was required to hold elections to Phases of elections were chalked keeping also in mind constitute the new Legislative Assembly of West Bengal the availability of man power for duties of polling before expiry of its present term on 29.05.2016. personnel and vehicles for transportation of polling Earlier, the Commission organized a Conference of the personnel. Chief Electoral OfficersCEO ( s) of the Poll going States and Factoring in considerations noted above, the schedule Union Territory namely West Bengal, Assam, Kerala, Tamil of the General Elections to the West Bengal Legislative Nadu, and Puducherry on February, 2016 at New Delhi. Assembly, 2016 was announced by the Election In the meeting, all aspects of election preparedness were Commission of India through a Press release on 4th reviewed. The Commission also assessed the overall law March 2016.

POLL DAYS – General Elections to the Legislative Assembly of West Bengal, 2016 POLL DAY DATE OF POLL NUMBER OF DISTRICTS NUMBER OF ASSEMBLY CONSTITUENCIES 1 04.04.2016 (MON) 3 18 2 11.04.2016 (MON) 3 31 3 17.04.2016 (SUN) 7 56 4 21.04.2016 (THU) 4 62 5 25.04.2016 (MON) 2 49 6 30.04.2016 (SAT) 3 53 7 05.05.2016 (THU) 2 25 TOTAL ASSEMBLY CONSTITUENCIES 294

General Elections to 8 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016 the Schedule For Holding General Election To The Legislative Assembly Of West Bengal

1st Poll Day 2nd Poll 3rd Poll 4th Poll 5th Poll 6th Poll Sl. Poll Event Day Day Day Day Day No. 1 (a) 1 (b) (18 ACs) (31 ACs) (56 ACs) (62 ACs) (49 ACs) (53 ACs) (25 ACs) 11.03.2016 14.03.2016 22.03.2016 28.03.2016 01.04.2016 04.04.2016 11.04.2016 1. Issue of Notification (FRI) (MON) (TUE) (MON) (FRI) (MON) (MON) Last date for making 18.03.2016 21.03.2016 29.03.2016 04.04.2016 08.04.2016 11.04.2016 18.04.2016 2. Nominations (FRI) (MON) (TUE) (MON) (FRI) (MON) (MON) Scrutiny of 19.03.2016 22.03.2016 30.03.2016 05.04.2016 09.04.2016 12.04.2016 19.04.2016 3. Nominations (SAT) (TUE) (WED) (TUE) (SAT) (TUE) (TUE) Last date for 21.03.2016 26.03.2016 01.04.2016 07.04.2016 11.04.2016 16.04.2016 21.04.2016 4. withdrawal of (MON) (SAT) (FRI) (THU) (MON) (SAT) (THU) candidature 04.04.2016 11.04.2016 17.04.2016 21.04.2016 25.04.2016 30.04.2016 05.05.2016 5. Date of Poll (MON) (MON) (SUN) (THU) (MON) (SAT) (THU) 19.05.2016 19.05.2016 19.05.2016 19.05.2016 19.05.2016 19.05.2016 19.05.2016 6. Counting of Votes (THU) (THU) (THU) (THU) (THU) (THU) (THU) Date before which 21.05.2016 21.05.2016 21.05.2016 21.05.2016 21.05.2016 21.05.2016 21.05.2016 7. election process shall (SAT) (SAT) (SAT) (SAT) (SAT) (SAT) (SAT) be completed

distribution of ACs over 7 poll days

Poll Day – 1(a) Poll Day – 1(b) 255. BISHNUPUR (18 Assembly (31 Assembly 256. KATULPUR (SC) Constituencies) Constituencies) 257. INDUS (SC) 220. (ST) 219. DANTAN 258. SONAMUKHI (SC) 221. 223. KESHIARY (ST) 275. PANDABESWAR 222. 224. KHARAGPUR SADAR 276. DURGAPUR PURBA 234. SALBONI 225. NARAYANGARH 277. DURGAPUR PASCHIM 236. MEDINIPUR 226. SABANG 278. RANIGANJ 237. BINPUR (ST) 227. PINGLA 279. JAMURIA 238. BANDWAN (ST) 228. KHARAGPUR 280. ASANSOL DAKSHIN 239. BALARAMPUR 229. DEBRA 281. ASANSOL UTTAR 240. BAGHMUNDI 230. DASPUR 282. KULTI 241. JOYPUR 231. GHATAL (SC) 283. BARABANI 242. PURULIA 232. CHANDRAKONA (SC) 243. MANBAZAR (ST) 233. GARBETA Poll Day – 2 244. KASHIPUR 235. KESHPUR (SC) (56 Assembly 245. PARA (SC) 247. SALTORA (SC) Constituencies) 246. RAGHUNATHPUR (SC) 248. CHHATNA 10. KUMARGRAM (ST) 249. raniBANDH (ST) 252. BANKURA 11. KALCHINI (ST) 250. RAIPUR (ST) 253. BARJORA 12. aliPURDUARS 251. TALDANGRA 254. ONDA 13. FALAKATA (SC)

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 9 14. maDARIHAT (ST) 286. BOLPUR 87. ranaGHAT UTTAR PASCHIM 15. DHUPGURI (SC) 287. NANOOR (SC) 88. KRISHNAGANJ (SC) 16. maynaGURI (SC) 288. LABPUR 89. ranaGHAT UTTAR PURBA (SC) 17. JALPAIGURI (SC) 289. SAINTHIA (SC) 90. ranaGHAT DAKSHIN (SC) 18. raJGANJ (SC) 290. MAYURESWAR 91. cHAKDAHA 19. DABGRAM-FULBARI 291. RAMPURHAT 92. KALYANI (SC) 20. mal (ST) 292. HANSAN 93. HARINGHATA (SC) 21. naGRAKATA (ST) 293. NALHATI 162. CHOWRANGEE 22. KALIMPONG 163. ENTALLY 23. DARJEELING Poll Day – 3 164. BELEGHATA 24. KURSEONG (62 Assembly 165. JORASANKO Constituencies) 25. matiGARA-NAXALBARI (SC) 166. SHYAMPUKUR 55. FARAKKA 26. siliGURI 167. MANIKTALA 56. samserGANJ 27. PHANSIDEWA (ST) 168. KASHIPUR-BELGACHHIA 57. sUTI 28. cHOPRA 259. KHANDAGHOSH (SC) 58. JANGIPUR 29. islamPUR 260. BARDHAMAN DAKSHIN 59. raGHUNATHGANJ 30. GOALPOKHAR 261. RAINA (SC) 60. saGARDIGHI 31. cHAKULIA 262. JAMALPUR (SC) 61. lalGOLA 32. KARANDIGHI 263. MONTESWAR 62. BHAGAWANGOLA 33. HEMTABAD (SC) 264. KALNA (SC) 63. raninaGAR 34. KALIAGANJ (SC) 265. MEMARI 64. mURSHIDABAD 35. raiGANJ 266. BARDHAMAN UTTAR (SC) 65. naBAGRAM (SC) 36. itaHAR 267. BHATAR 66. KHARGRAM (SC) 37. KUSHMANDI (SC) 268. PURBASTHALI DAKSHIN 67. BURWAN (SC) 38. KUMARGANJ 269. PURBASTHALI UTTAR 68. KANDI 39. BALURGHAT 270. KATWA 69. BHARATPUR 40. taPAN (ST) 271. KETUGRAM 70. reJINAGAR 41. GANGARAMPUR (SC) 272. MANGALKOT 71. BELDANGA 42. HARIRAMPUR 273. AUSGRAM (SC) 72. BAHARAMPUR 43. HABIBPUR (ST) 274. GALSI (SC) 73. HARIHARPARA 44. GAZOLE (SC) 74. noWDA 45. cHANCHAL Poll Day – 4 75. DOMKAL 46. HARISHCHANDRAPUR (49 Assembly 76. JALANGI Constituencies) 47. malatiPUR 77. KARIMPUR 94. BAGDA (SC) 48. ratUA 78. teHATTA 95. BANGAON UTTAR (SC) 49. maniKCHAK 79. PALASHIPARA 96. BANGAON DAKSHIN (SC) 50. malDAHA (SC) 80. KALIGANJ 97. GAIGHATA (SC) 51. enGLISH BAZAR 81. naKASHIPARA 98. sWARUPNAGAR (SC) 52. motHABARI 82. cHAPRA 99. BADURIA 53. sUJAPUR 83. KRISHNANAGAR UTTAR 100. HABRA 54. BAISNABNAGAR 84. naBADWIP 101. ASHOKNAGAR 284. DUBRAJPUR (SC) 85. KRISHNANAGAR DAKSHIN 102. AMDANGA 285. SURI 86. santiPUR 103. BIJPUR

General Elections to 10 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016 104. NAIHATI Poll Day – 5 190. CHUNCHURA 105. BHATPARA (53 Assembly 191. BALAGARH (SC) 106. JAGATDAL Constituencies) 192. PANDUA 107. NOAPARA 127. GOSABA (SC) 193. SAPTAGRAM 108. BARRACKPUR 128. BASANTI (SC) 194. CHANDITALA 109. KHARDAHA 129. KULTALI (SC) 195. JANGIPARA 110. DUM DUM UTTAR 130. PATHARPRATIMA 196. HARIPAL 111. PANIHATI 131. KAKDWIP 197. DHANEKHALI (SC) 112. KAMARHATI 132. SAGAR 198. TARAKESWAR 113. BARANAGAR 133. KULPI 199. PURSURAH 114. DUM DUM 134. RAIDIGHI 200. ARAMBAG (SC) 115. RAJARHAT NEW TOWN 135. MANDIRBAZAR (SC) 201. GOGHAT (SC) 116. BIDHANNAGAR 136. JAYNAGAR (SC) 202. KHANAKUL 117. RAJARHAT GOPALPUR 137. BARUIPUR PURBA (SC) 118. MADHYAMGRAM 138. CANNING PASCHIM (SC) Poll Day – 6 119. BARASAT 139. CANNING PURBA (25 Assembly Constituencies) 120. DEGANGA 140. BARUIPUR PASCHIM 01. meKLIGANJ (SC) 121. HAROA 141. MAGRAHAT PURBA (SC) 02. matHABHANGA (SC) 122. MINAKHAN (SC) 142. MAGRAHAT PASCHIM 03. coocHBEHAR UTTAR (SC) 123. SANDESHKHALI (ST) 143. DIAMOND HARBOUR 04. coocHBEHAR DAKSHIN 124. BASIRHAT DAKSHIN 144. FALTA 05. sitalKUCHI (SC) 125. BASIRHAT UTTAR 145. SATGACHHIA 06. sitai (SC) 126. HINGALGANJ (SC) 146. BISHNUPUR (SC) 07. DINHATA 169. BALLY 147. SONARPUR DAKSHIN 08. nataBARI 170. HOWRAH UTTAR 148. BHANGAR 09. tUFANGANJ 171. HOWRAH MADHYA 149. KASBA 203. TAMLUK 172. SHIBPUR 150. JADAVPUR 204. PANSKURA PURBA 173. HOWRAH DAKSHIN 151. SONARPUR UTTAR 205. PANSKURA PASCHIM 174. SANKRAIL (SC) 152. TOLLYGANJ 206. MOYNA 175. PANCHLA 153. BEHALA PURBA 207. NANDAKUMAR 176. ULUBERIA PURBA 154. BEHALA PASCHIM 208. MAHISADAL 177. ULUBERIA UTTAR (SC) 155. MAHESHTALA 209. HALDIA (SC) 178. ULUBERIA DAKSHIN 156. BUDGE BUDGE 210. NANDIGRAM 179. SHYAMPUR 157. METIABURUZ 211. CHANDIPUR 180. BAGNAN 158. KOLKATA PORT 212. PATASHPUR 181. AMTA 159. BHABANIPUR 213. KANTHI UTTAR 182. UDAYNARAYANPUR 160. RASHBEHARI 214. BHAGABANPUR 183. JAGATBALLAVPUR 161. BALLYGUNGE 215. KHEJURI (SC) 184. DOMJUR 185. UTTARPARA 216. KANTHI DAKSHIN 186. SREERAMPUR 217. RAMNAGAR 187. CHAMPDANI 218. EGRA 188. SINGUR 189. CHANDANNAGAR

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 11 WEST BENGAL Poll Day - 1(a) Districts involved in GE 2016

Poll Day - 1(b) Districts involved in GE 2016 Poll Day - 2 Districts involved in GE 2016

General Elections to 12 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016 Poll Day - 3 Districts involved in GE 2016 Poll Day - 4 Districts involved in GE 2016

Poll Day - 5 Districts involved in GE 2016 Poll Day - 6 Districts involved in GE 2016

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 13 Review of the Election Commission The full bench of the Election Commission, led by Dr Nasim Zaidi, made its first visit as early as the tenth day of December, 2015 to review the stage of preparedness, primarily keeping in focus then ongoing Summary Revision Exercise with 01.01.2016 as qualifying date. The Commission met with the Divisional Commissioners, District Election Officers, Commissioners and Superintendents of Police of all districts in the state. In its meeting, the Commission underpinned the importance of error-free electoral rolls in conduct of elections and set the objectives of free, fair and participative elections in the state. Shri Sandeep Saxena, the Deputy Election Commissioner visited the state to assess the level of preparedness on 21st January, 2016. The full bench of Commission visited again on 14th March, 2016, and met with all the stakeholders, including recognised political parties and media other than the Divisional Commissioners, District Election Officers, Commissioners and Superintendents of Police formally in a meeting thereafter. The final visit of the Commission took place on the 14th April, 2016, immediately before the second Poll date. On each of its visits, the Commission met with representatives of recognised political parties and organizations seeking Commission’s hearing along with the , Additional Chief Secretary (Home), Director General of Police and State Nodal Officers of Excise and Income Tax. The meetings were followed by Press Conference of the Chief Election Commissioner accompanied with a Press Note.

General Elections to 14 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016 iew) V Segmented A Segmented anagement ( anagement lection M alendar of E ctivity C A

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 15 Activity Calendar and District Election management Plans (DEMP) One of the first few things that went into planning for the upcoming elections was preparation of Activity Calendar which showed all activities against their start and end dates with reference to a tentatively fixed date of poll in the districts. It was an easy to use, uniform calendar template developed prior to press notification with provision for auto updating once the dates were notified. Accommodating all election related activities at one place, it helped in assessment of progress individually in each major area of activity on a day-to- day basis. • It helped officers get better equipped for unforeseen situations resulting in better mapping of resources.

Polling Stations: Polling Stations are considered one of the first pre-requisites to start election process. The Election Commission had taken full efforts to bring Polling stations as close to the voters as feasible.

Total Polling Stations 77413 Polling Stations Locations 51921 Main Polling Stations 77247 Auxiliary Polling Stations 166 Rural Polling Stations 58,761 Urban Polling Stations 18,486 If Activity Calendar were a guide for districts from the CEO Office, the Districts developed District Election Polling Stations Polling Station Locations Management Plans (DEMPs) as well as Assembly Constituency Election Management Plans charting action Urban Rural Total Urban Rural Total plans activity wise. Assembly Election Management Plan 18,486 58,761 77,247 7,785 44,491 52,276 (AEMP) and District Election Management Plans (DEMP) were prepared by all DEOs and they were updated in Rationalization exercises were undertaken, like previous three stages: years, to ensure that ordinarily no voter was required to • First Draft: 30 days before the Notification of travel more than 2 kilometres for casting her vote. A election; major focus of the rationalization exercise was shifting • Second Draft: within 1 week from Notification of Polling Stations from non-government and private election; • Third and Final Plan: 15 days before the date of election in the district.

The DEMPs and AEMPs triggered a number of benefits for election managers: • All activities were listed in advance • It helped in planning process and inter -sectoral coordination. • All officers had the opportunity of being familiarised with the measures to be taken at various stages of the election process.

General Elections to 16 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016 buildings to government premises as well shifting them to ground floors where Polling Stations were located at first or second floors.

313 Polling 22 Polling Total Polling Stations were Stations were shifted Stations shifted during assigned from 1st floor from 1st floor to ground floor Rationalization to ground floor of the of different buildings for Exercise: 362 same building convenience of voters

Poll Day wise STATUS of Polling Stations and Polling Station Locations Poll Day Main Auxiliary Total Poll Day 1(a) 4945 5 4945 Poll Day 1(b) 8463 2 8465 Poll Day 2 13609 36 13645 Polling Stations Poll Day 3 16451 10 16461 Poll Day 4 12454 27 12481 Poll Day 5 14565 77 14642 Poll Day 6 6765 9 6774 Total 77247 166 77413

Poll Day Locations meetings with Sector Officers and monitored their works Poll Day 1(a) 4203 on a day-to-day basis. Sector Officers were provided with a vehicle adequately in advance to ensure effective Poll Day 1(b) 6364 implementation of communication plan and verify Poll Day 2 10617 whether the routes plotted on the map were feasible. Polling Station Poll Day 3 10006 They also ascertained the approach and accessibility Locations Poll Day 4 6979 to Polling Stations. Ascertaining the Assured Minimum Poll Day 5 8313 Facilities (AMF), previously Basic Minimum Facilities (BMF) at polling stations including physical status of building Poll Day 6 5439 was another important job assigned to the Sector Total 51921 Officers.T hey even ensured that wide publicity was given to new polling stations. They collected important phone Sectors numbers in the locality, assessed mobile connectivity Sector Officers (SOs) were responsible for election at Polling stations and took note of existence of Party management from the day of announcement of Offices within 200 meters periphery of the Polling schedule of election till the completion of poll process. Station. They kept a cautious vigim and reported It was one of the most responsible positions and hence on movement of unauthorized campaign vehicles, best officers were identified for deployment even before defacement of property, unauthorized campaigning, announcement of election schedule. They were also misuse of public buildings/Govt. Vehicles/Government provided with powers of the Special Executive Magistrates servants and all possible violations on MCC front. EVM for the purpose. A manageable route covering 10-12 demonstration to voters in catchments was another polling locations (1 to 2 hours) were assigned to them. important task assigned to the Sector Officers.T hey Sectors were constituted well in advance. The routes informed voters about help lines and locations of their were plotted on constituency maps. Immediately after Polling Stations Sector Officers even informed voters to the appointment, Sector Officers were provided with check their names and entries in Photo Electoral Rolls sector maps. Returning Officers frequently held review through BLOs.

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 17 Sector Officers played a crucial role in law and order assessment by frequent visits and holding wide spread discussions with voters as part of confidence building measures and fine tuning the vulnerability mapping by collecting intelligence reports. Identification of villages, hamlets, segments and sections of voters vulnerable for threat and intimidation was performed meticulously by them. Also identification of persons who caused vulnerability was another important area of activity since it was no longer numbers but about names of intimidators which were then immediate concerns of the Returning Officers. Sector Officers ensured that the polling teams and all Polling Personnel and Micro Observer election material had reached Polling Stations previous Polling Personnel are people who enact the Poll process to the Poll day. They ensured that armed force had on Poll day. Under Section 26 of the Representation of arrived at Polling Stations according to the plan. They People Act, 1951, the District Election Officers of West also clarified last minute doubts on EVM operation Bengal appointed 3,72,871 polling personnel for 77,247 and polling process creeping into poll personnel at last polling stations which included 20% reserve polling moments. On the Poll day, Sector Officers ascertained personnel for any kind of exigencies against a total the mock poll status before commencement of poll. availability of 3,90,415 number of Polling personnel. Report on commencement of polls were collected from them without any delay and sent to the control The District Election Officers obtained data of State rooms. Replacements of EVMs wherever required was and Central Government employees from within their another important responsibility for them. On Poll Days respective jurisdictions well in advance to prepare the turn out percentage in voting from time to time was initial database of employees. Plan for appointment of reported by Sector Officers to the Returning Officers. Polling Personnel precedes earlier with category wise requirement being firmed up. In some instances, the On Poll day, they also shouldered the responsibility of database was exchanged between the District Election resolving complaints with appropriate support systems. Officers in the eventuality of a shortfall. At the end of the day, they checked the sealing of EVMs and preparation of election papers by polling parties and escorted EVMs with the polling teams to the Category of Requirement Availability Centres. Sector Officers played a pivotal role in the West personnel Bengal Assembly General Elections, 2016 as they had Polling Personnel 3,72,000 3,90,415 been doing in the previous general and bye-elections in the state for a long time. Micro Observer 11,700 11,711

General Elections to 18 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016 district wise distribution of assembly constituencies 9 5 7 6 9 6 4 7 9 12 22 17 33 31 16 18 16 19 12 25 11 alda outh N adia M Purulia Howrah Bankura edinipur edinipur Hooghly Birbhum lipurduar Jalpaiguri Darjeeling A oochbehar urshidabad Bardhaman C M Kolkata N orth Kolkata S Uttar Dinajpur Purbo M Purbo Dakhsin Dinajpur outh 24 Parganas N orth 24 Parganas S Paschim M Paschim

district wise polling stations locations 408 507 1860 1095 1372 1216 1610 1120 2015 3854 2815 4703 4888 2331 3053 3638 4572 2025 2708 4233 2254 alda outh N adia M Purulia Howrah Bankura edinipur edinipur Hooghly Birbhum lipurduar Jalpaiguri Darjeeling A oochbehar urshidabad Bardhaman C M Kolkata N orth Kolkata S Uttar Dinajpur Purbo M Purbo Dakhsin Dinajpur outh 24 Parganas N orth 24 Parganas S Paschim M Paschim

DISTRICT WISE DISTRIBUTION OF SECTORS 59 66 212 114 188 215 186 132 223 493 410 713 699 340 412 467 456 280 337 567 252 alda outh N adia M Purulia Howrah Bankura edinipur edinipur Hooghly Birbhum Burdwan lipurduar Jalpaiguri Darjeeling A oochbehar urshidabad C M Kolkata N orth Kolkata S Uttar Dinajpur Purbo M Purbo Dakshin Dinajpur outh 24 Parganas N orth 24 Parganas S Paschim M Paschim

district wise Deployment of Polling Personnel 6578 9007 6786 9471 6384 9321 4659 21877 11268 16082 26872 13017 14191 26543 21619 38727 20336 39593 25289 12370 19716 alda outh N adia M Purulia Howrah Bankura edinipur edinipur Hooghly Birbhum lipurduar lipurduar Jalpaiguri Darjeeling A oochbehar urshidabad Bardhaman C M Kolkata N orth Kolkata S Uttar Dinajpur Purbo M Purbo Dakshin Dinajpur outh 24-Parganas outh 24-Parganas N orth 24-Parganas S Paschim M Paschim

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 19 Building upon precedent set in the previous Elections in the year 2014, a total of 1147 Polling Stations were completely managed by female polling personnel who were deployed primarily in Polling Stations at district and sub-divisional head quarters. For this to happen, a slice was cut from the district database of polling personnel comprising entirely female polling personnel. A separate randomisation was done for their assignment in such earmarked polling stations.

The database of Polling Personnel contained details of under different categories in the State. Details of all state government departments, state government observers were disseminated through different means undertakings, central and state government of communication including newspaper advertisements. undertakings. Mobile numbers, Electoral Photo Identity District Election Officers were mainly entrusted with the Card (EPIC) details as well as bank account details of all responsibility of sharing information of observers with employees were captured in the database. The work for the voters of their districts. At the state level, however, preparation and updation of Polling Personnel database such information was shared inevitably during the Press was supervised, as in previous General Elections, under Conferences held on the day previous to the Poll day. the guidance of one Additional District Magistrate in Commission also sent Chief Electoral Officers of different charge of Polling Personnel along with one Nodal Officer states to visit the State in the run up to poll with a view who was supervising management of polling personnel to providing first hand inputs to the Chief Electoral in the district. The database of Polling Personnel Officer of the State they collected during their visits to was fed through three stages of software regulated different districts on aspects of poll preparedness along randomization process. The last two stages of this were side informing this to the Commission. executed in presence of the Observers appointed by the Election Commission. Electronic transfer of allowance to the bank accounts of polling personnel necessitated a massive coordinated endeavour which was accomplished with a fair amount of success in the districts. Observers Observers of the Election Commission are appointed under the powers conferred upon it under Section 10B of the Representation of People Act, 1951 and the plenary powers available to the Commission under the Constitution. During the West Bengal Legislative Assembly Elections, 2016, Observers were appointed

General Expenditure Police Awareness Poll day Observers Observers Observers Observers Poll day 1(a) 14 5 3 3 Poll day 1(b) 23 8 3 3 Poll day 2 32 14 7 6 Poll day 3 38 14 5 4 Poll day 4 39 12 5 2 Poll day 5 36 11 6 3 Poll day 6 14 6 2 1 Total 160 70 31 22

General Elections to 20 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016 Statutory Issues Structure of Supervision and Moni- Immediately after announcement of the schedule of toring at CEO Office General Elections, the Chief Electoral Officer, West Bengal As there were Nodal Officers in districts supervising met with representatives of recognized political parties, one specific area of activity following Commission's informing them in detail the schedule and instructions of instructions issued in this regard, one Additional the Election Commission as they were elaborated in the District Magistrate was entrusted with the overall Press Release issued by the Commission. Representatives responsibility of supervising Nodal Officers in their day of print and electronic media were met separately to day functioning and reporting to the District Election detailing the schedule and facets of the ensuing West Officer. At the CEO office again, the officers besides the Bengal Legislative Assembly Elections in terms of major Chief Electoral Officer was assigned responsibility of signposts, activities, restrictions and obligations. MCC supervision and day to day liaisoning with the District matters were informed to the Chief Secretary, Additional Election Officer starting from the date of announcement Chief Secretary, (Home), DG of Police, Departmental of elections till the day of Counting. This time tested Secretaries and the District Election Officers. In a major mechanism came out to be a very effective tool to development, a screening committee was formed understand the difficulties and constaints faced by the headed by the Chief Secretary of the State to examine District Election Officers and thereby taking effective the MCC references made by the State Government remedial interventions in time in consultation with the departments to the Election Commission. Chief Electoral Officer.

Nominations In the General Elections to the West Bengal Legislative Assembly Elections, 2016, 1985 candidates filed nominations to contest elections out of which 1961 actually contested. This is an increase of 8% over the last Assembly General Elections held in the year 2011 when 1835 candidates filed nominations. Moreover, it is an increase of 9% over the number of candidates who contested in the election in the Lok Sabha Elections 2014 when 1792 candidates were in the fray to contest. 53-Sujapur and 170-Howrah Uttar Assembly As usual, following instructions of the Commission, all Constituencies saw the highest number of contesting election related officials who completed 3 out of 4 years candidates (15), while 200-Arambagh, 201-Goghat, in the same district or were in their home districts were 235-Keshpur, 261-Raina, 274-Galsi and 288-Labpur transferred out and all posts of Returning and Additional Assembly constituencies had least number of contesting Returning Officers were filled-up. Sector Magistrates candidates from where only 3 candidates contested in were put on field level activity after adequate doses of the elections. training and orientation. A complete database of polling personnel was prepared by District Election Officers. Police authorities prepared their own database of Police personnel. Basic Minimum Facilities (BMF) were ensured at all polling stations through convergence of activities resourcing government funding. BMF Deficiency Mitigation Plan was executed in districts to bridge the last mile gaps through alternative arrangements for a very few Polling locations having difficult geographical terrain and infrastructural inadequacy of permanent nature. Shifting proposals for all 166 Auxiliary Polling Stations were duly approved by the Commission.

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 21 Nomination Profile Details Male Female Total Nominations filed 1807 203 2010 Nominations rejected 23 2 25 Nominations withdrawn 23 1 24 Contesting candidates 1761 200 1961

Nomination Profile Compared: 2011 & 2016 General Assembly Elections Avg. Minimum Maximum Nominated Contesting candidate per Candidate in a Candidate in a Candidate candidate constituency Constituency Constituency Assembly Assembly Assembly Assembly Assembly Assembly Assembly Assembly Assembly Assembly Election, Election, Election, Election, Election, Election, Election, Election, Election, Election, 2011 2016 2011 2016 2011 2016 2011 2016 2011 2016 1835 1985 1792 1961 6 7 3 3 14 15

The average number of candidates contesting in a constituency in this election was 7 compared to 6 in the General Assembly Elections, 2011. Candidate Profile Contestants in a constituency 1 2 3 4 5 6-10 11-15 Above 15 No. of such constituencies 0 0 6 23 57 193 15 0

Contesting Candidates Poll Day wise Number of Candidates Political Parties Poll Day Poll Day Poll Day Poll Day Poll Day Poll Day Poll Day Total 1(a) 1(b) 2 3 4 5 6 5 8 43 36 35 26 8 161 Bharatiya 18 31 53 62 49 53 25 291 1 1 1 0 2 1 5 11 Communist Party of India (Marxist) 11 19 17 38 24 31 8 148 Indian National 5 8 23 26 12 14 4 92 Nationalist Congress Party 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 All India Forward Block 1 1 6 3 7 3 4 25 All India Trinomool Congress 18 31 55 62 49 53 25 93 Revolutionary 0 1 10 5 1 2 0 19 Registered Political Parties (other than recognized National and 55 46 113 116 70 82 67 549 State Political Parties) Independents 19 17 62 70 96 83 24 371 Total 133 163 383 418 345 349 170 1961

Allotment of Symbols In terms of instructions of the Commission, Election Symbols were reserved under Para 10 and 10B of The Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968

General Elections to 22 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016 Allotment of Reserved Symbols under Para 10 of the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968

Sl Name of the Political Reserved Symbol No & Name of Assembly Constituency No Party allotted 1 AJSU Party Banana 34 ACs (AC No 219 to AC No 252) 2 Bicycle All 18 ACs going to the poll in first phase 3 Samajwadi Party Bicycle All 31ACs going to the poll in the phase 1(b) 4 Rashtriya Lok Samata Party Ceiling Fan All 49 ACs going to the poll in the first phase 5 (United) Arrow All 294 ACs 6 Hurricane Lamp All 294 ACs 7 Mukti Morcha Bow and Arrow All 294 ACs 8 Shivsena A Lady Farmer carrying 9 Janata Dal (Secular) 165-Jorasanko, 169-Bally and 211-Chandipur ACs Paddy on her head 10 Lok Jan Shakti Party Bungalow All 294 ACs 109 ACs (43-53, 55-77, 80-82, 91, 99-100, 102, 108, 112, 11 Indian Union Muslim League Ladder 115, 117, 119-121, 124, 125, 133, 139-140, 142-145, 147- 149, 155-159, 161-163, 165, 168, 203, 209-210, 259-294) 46-Harishchandrapur, 292-Hansan and 294-Murarai 12 Hand Pump (in 2nd phase) and 166-Shyampukur (3rd Phase) 13 Rashtriya Lok Samata Party Ceiling Fan All 56 ACs going to the poll in the second phase 14 Samajwadi Party Bicycle All 56 ACs going to the poll in the second phase 15 Rashtriya Lok Samata Party Ceiling Fan All 62 ACs going to the poll in the third phase 16 Samajwadi Party Bicycle All 62 ACs going to the poll in the third phase 17 Rashtriya Lok Samata Party Ceiling Fan All 49 ACs going to the poll in the fourth phase 18 Samajwadi Party Bicycle All 49 ACs going to the poll in the fourth phase 19 Rashtriya Lok Dal Hand Pump 157- Metiaburuz (fifth phase) 20 Rashtriya Lok Samata Party Ceiling Fan All 53 ACs going to the poll in the fifth phase 21 Rashtriya Lok Samata Party Ceiling Fan All 25 ACs going to the poll in the sixth phase 22 Samajwadi Party Bicycle All 25 ACs going to the poll in the sixth phase

Allotment of Symbols under Para 10B of the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968

Sl Name of the No & Name of Assembly Name of the Symbol allotted No Election(s) Constituency 1 Welfare Party of India WBLA 2016 Gas Cylinder 48 ACs 2 Party for Democratic Socialism WBLA 2016 Candles 49 Acs 3 Rashtriya Janasachetan Party(RJP) WBLA 2016 Hockey & Ball 108 Acs 4 Secular Democratic Labour Party of India WBLA 2016 Auto-Rickshaw All ACs 5 The National Road Map Party of India WBLA 2016 Gas Stove All ACs 6 Socialist Unity Centre of India (Communist) WBLA 2016 Battery Torch 123 ACs 7 Mulnibasi Party of India WBLA 2016 Whistle 16 AC s 8 Socialist Unity Centre of India (Communist) WBLA 2016 Battery Torch All ACs 9 Bhartiya Mitra Party WBLA 2016 Plate Containing Food All ACs 10 Indian Unity Centre WBLA 2016 Glass Tumbler 20 ACs 11 Kisan Party of India WBLA 2016 Stool All ACs 12 Bhartiya Uttam Sena WBLA 2016 Cauliflower All ACs

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 23 Ballot Papers Election Commission of India also made a path breaking change in the elector’s choice for exercising his franchise After finalising the list of contesting candidates in Form in ‘’ option by introducing the 7A, comes the turn of ballot paper printing. The ballot symbol for ‘None of the Above’ option in the ballots papers for EVM, postal ballot, tender ballot papers and which was designed by National Institute of Design braille ballots were printed in a time bound manner. (NID). This new symbol facilitated voters in casting their Press for ballot papers for both EVM and tender ballot votes expressing that none of the candidates contesting papers was selected under approval of the Commission. the election were to his liking. Accordingly, sweeping Postal Ballot management was crucial and it was changes were made in all the statutory forms related executed with utmost importance. Postal ballot to the recording and counting of votes. The symbol of papers for service voters and polling staff and other NOTA is as follows: categories were printed under close supervision of the senior officers of districts under full proof security arrangements. Procurement of papers for printing ballot papers was ensured in time after necessary assessment of numbers of service electors, polling personnel and drivers and khalasis of vehicles who were likely to be requisitioned, taking also into consideration additional polling personnel as reserve. In terms of instructions of the Commission, Dummy Ballot Sheet in Braille signage was used in every polling In order to facilitate voters in identifying the station to facilitate visually impaired voters. The Dummy candidates, the Commission prescribed an Ballot Sheets in Braille were printed by organizations additional measure by way of adding provision having competence and credibility where duly certified for printing the photograph of candidate on the by representatives of the Commissioner for Persons with ballot displayed on the EVM (Ballot Unit) as well as Disabilities. on Postal Ballot papers. This also took care of likely confusion when candidates with same or similar 1. Blind Persons’ Association, 6B names contested from the same constituency. Panchanantala Road, Kolkata-700029 For this purpose, the candidates were required to 2. ramkrishna Mission Blind Boys’ submit to the Returning Officer, their recent Stamp Academy, P.O. Narendrapur, Size photograph as per the specifications laid down Kolkata-700013 by the Commission. 3. voice of World, 4, Nrisingha Dutta Road, Kolkata-700008 FREE EDGE OR TOP OF NAIL

first joint New Introductions to WBLA Elections, 2016 This is the first general election where in pursuance to the judgement of the Hon’ble Delhi High Court in WP(C) no. 4912/1998 (Krishak Bharat Vs. Union of India & Ors.) the additional Affidavit was to be sworn by the contesting candidates before Notary Public/Oath Commissioner/Magistrate of the first class alongwith ‘No Demand Certificate’ covering details of their In the present election, a brush was supplied with the being not in arrears of any public dues and no dues in polling material for applying indelible ink on the left respect of electricity, water and telephone for being in forefinger of the elector in such a way as to make a occupation of any Govt. accommodation presently or in line from the top end of the nail to the bottom of the left the last ten years. forefinger.

General Elections to 24 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016 Election Materials A Systematic Plan has been developed in management of Election Materials including procurement, distribution and storage. The State Policy had been framed as early as June, 2015. It started with an assessment of election materials then available at State headquarters and districts. As the policy was being framed, it took into consideration the parameters and scale of procurement, the basis in fixing the specific requirement of election materials depending upon the number of Polling Stations in the district. The points on which the material procurement plan was primarily resting were the scale and quantity of election materials for procurement and the firm/organization/press from which these materials were to be procured.T aking the precedent of previous General Elections, the election materials were categorized broadly under two heads: Election Materials/Publications which were procured and distributed by the CEO Office and all other materials for which the responsibility of procurement rested with districts. The jurisdiction of State and District responsibility was, thus, clearly earmarked and this was communicated to the Districts at the beginning stages of election preparedness. The Office of theC hief Electoral Officer procured elections materials appropriately tagged under categories described below: • EVM related materials: Strials, Pink Paper Seals for BUs and CUs, Green Papeeals, Address Tags for BUs and CUs, Special Address Tags, VVPAT Address Tags, Dummy Ballot Units and Power Packs for CUs and VVPAT Power Packs, VVPAT Paper Rolls • Election Materials other than EVMs: Arrow Cross Mark and Indelible Ink, • Books/Documents/Publications: RO s’ Hand Book (English)/Pr. Officers’ Hand Books (Bengali and English)/ FAQs on MCC/ 17A Voters’ Registers/ Booklets on MCC (Bengali and English)/ Manual Of Election Law/ Compendium of Instructions on Expenditure Monitoring/ Compendium of Instructions on Paid News and related matters, VVPAT Manuals Timelines were defined for procurement and supervised with an unfailing regularity. Since First level Checking (FLC) of EVMs was scheduled early in the month of October, EVM related election materials were taken up in the first place. They were scheduled for arrival at the CEO Office by September. Election Materials other than EVMs were taken up thereafter, followed with publication of Books and documents which were primarily printed from the local press, as instructed by the Commission, following due process of tender formalities.

The Election Commission, on many occasions, fixed the firm from which election materials were procured.

Election material Firm approved by Commission volume Power Packs Electronics Corporation of India Ltd 1,35,000 Address Tags for BUs India Security Press Ltd 14,00,000 Address Tags for CUs India Security Press Ltd 14,00,000 Pink Paper Seals India Security Press Ltd 3,30,000 Outer Paper Strip Seals India Security Press Ltd 3,00,000 Green Paper Seals Controller of Stamps, Central Stamps Depot 2,00,000 Arrow Cross Marks Ideal Cottage Industries Ltd 1,80,000 Indelible Ink Mysore Paints and Varnish Ltd 2,00,000

In case of election materials like Power Packs, Arrow Cross Marks, VVPAT Power Packs, VVPAT paper Rolls, Indelible Ink, the rates were fixed by the Commission. Election materials like Special Address Tags were procured from the Saras- wati Press Ltd. There were 22 assembly constituencies in the State in which commission directed VVPATs to be used along with EVMs. Election materials related to VVPAT machines were procured from the ECIL.

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 25 Election material related to VVPATs volume VVPATs Power Packs 11652 Paper Rolls for VVPATs 11600 Operational Manual for VVPATs 14000 Plastic Boxes 15600 Trouble Shooting Booklet 6500

Voters’ Registers, Handbooks, Booklets, Compendiums of Instructions were printed from local Presses selected through a tender process and rates approved by the Finance Department.

Press from which Election Material volume procured ROs’ Handbook SARASWATI Press 800 Presiding Officers’ Handbook (English) SARASWATI Press 70000 Presiding Officers’ Handbook (Bengali) SARASWATI Press 2,20.000 Voters’ Register (Form 17A) SARASWATI Press 1,25,000 MCC Handbook (English) SARASWATI Press 2000 MCC Handbook (Bengali) SARASWATI Press 2000 Compendium of Instructions on Expenditure Monitoring Shilpabarta Press 1000 VVPAT Address Tags SARASWATI Press 78000

With procurement of election materials, continued its delivery to districts in phased manner so that the distribution was complete in time without strain on the system. Working on experience of the last Lok Sabha Elections, 2014, due stock taking had been done in respect of all election materials before they were disbursed. Due to paucity of space at the state headquarter, a go down had been arranged at the office of the Divisional Headquarters to store the election materials in transit with 24X7 security. In matter of procurement of materials in districts, incisive monitoring was in place through Video Conference every week to assess the status of procurement of election materials at districts. Before that, sometime in the month of January, a formal letter had been issued clearly specifying the framework of procurement in districts, the election materials which were to be procured by districts and the timelines. A post Poll inventorying of election materials in districts had been completed by the month of May. All the materials were assembled in district headquarters, documented and preserved for future use.

General Elections to 26 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016 Poll Arrangements Commission and satisfaction of the candidates. • Requisition of vehicles for movement of polling After finalization of polling stations with the approval personnel, sectors, arrangements for fuelling, of the Election Commission and publication of the list chalking out of route plans for movement of polling of Polling Stations by the District Election Officers, all personnel were done with emphasis on areas where arrangements were taken up to make polling stations transportation by launches, boats was involved poll worthy. Training of polling personnel and formation particularly in Sundarban areas of districts of North of polling parties, assignment of polling stations through and South 24 Parganas where hundreds of islands dot different stages of randomization process were major the terrain. Management of vehicle was supervised activities. The deployment of micro observers, camera through SUGAM Software which was introduced by and digital photography personnel, webcasting teams the state of in the Bihar Legislative Assembly and LMSA personnel were other important activities Election. However, in the state of West Bengal, it was steered through Nodal Officers of different cells in terms applied necessary customisation. of District Election Management Plan of the district and the activity calendar prepared for the purpose. • Training of polling personnel and formation of polling parties, assignment of polling stations • Procurement, bagging of statutory, non-statutory through different stages of randomization process forms, envelops and stationary items for polling were major activities. The deployment of micro parties were taken up. Apart from the color coded observers, camera persons as per the vulnerable forms and covers for different types of forms and mapping exercise were done during this period. envelopes as stipulated by the Commission, districts implemented one of the mandatory interventions of Preparation for Dispersal Centers, Reception Centers, the State, the pre perforated booklets for statutory Strong Rooms with necessary infrastructural facilities forms, which helped polling personnel in finding out like communication, security needs were taken up important statutory forms in a sequential manner at in collaboration with State and Central Government the Polling Stations. Departments and Undertakings such as the Public Works Department, Health and Family Welfare, School • Printing of ballot papers for the EVMs and tendered Education and Higher Education Departments, ballots was organized centrally by the CEO office Municipal bodies, BSNL and other service providers such and printed at the Saraswati Press Ltd., Kolkata as the Electricity Boards. under direct supervision of the respective Returning Officers.T he ballot papers in braille system were Control Rooms similarly prepared after due checking up by the braille experts as appointed by the Department of On poll day, Control Rooms functioned at the office of Disabilities & Public Welfare. all administrative units at CEO/DEO/SDO/BDO offices. It took the shape of a virtual war room with logistics • Preparation of EVMs as per the final list of contesting perfectly in place. Inside the Control Room, four different candidates, randomization, setting of candidates cells were formed led by Additional District Magistrates and storage of EVMs were done according to aptly assisted by senior Deputy Collectors and a band the absolute compliance of the directives of the of officials.T he Cells were entrusted to address issues

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 27 such as statutory and report returns, EVMs, poll day Scrutiny of Form 17 A and other documents complaints and media. Scrutiny of Form 17 A and other documents was a Depending upon the number of assembly constituency crucial activity which save an opportunity to both the segments in the districts, computer sets, with full internet Candidates and the Returning Officers to introspect connectivity, were set up. All kinds of complaints were purity of elections. As mandated, all Returning Officers primarily fed into SAMADHAN software, then percolated along with the Observers took up scrutiny on the next to the Retuning Officers for redress, who reported day of poll for examination and verification of documents back with a sharp alacrity to the DEOs the status after of polling stations in light of the instructions of the disposing the matter at fields.T he Control Rooms were Commission. All reports on scrutiny and proceedings of the process were examined thoroughly by the office of the Chief Electoral Officer and sent to the Commission for appraisal. Postal Ballot Papers Under the provisions of Section 60 of the Representation of People Act 1951 and Rule 17, 18A & C, 20, 21,27B of Conduct of Election Rules, 1961, provisions of voting by postal ballot have been made for the persons who are not able to cast their vote at the polling stations, where they are enrolled as voter. The following classes of electors can exercise their franchise through postal ballot: equipped with no less than six television sets to keep a a. Service voters other than those who opt for proxy constant watch on what is happening in the field. voting; Toll free helpline and telephone numbers of RO/ARO/ b. Special voters who are holding declared offices; Key Police Officers/Sector Officers/Control Room were c. The wives of persons referred to in classed (a) & (b) displayed at all polling stations, through signage, above; so that polling agents could register complaints for immediate intervention. Special emphasis was d. Electors subject to preventive detention under any law; given on taking remedial measures on complaints e. Voters on election duty; within quickest possible time. To combat any EVM f. Notified voters; related problems which might cause stoppage of The status on dispatch and receipt of postal ballots poll, technical teams of ECIL were placed right at the during the last WBLA Elections described below: sector level (for a group of sectors). Reporting follow up actions to the complainants like voters, political parties, even media houses, by SMS through SAMADHAN software paved credibility in the system.

Postal Ballot Postal Ballots Issued Postal Ballots finally received back 534 694 1040 1400 7522 4643 9297 7245 9366 7118 7818 9816 9826 7252 6477 11602 11879 12361 13641 16319 11942 17695 17804 12444 20986 16729 21992 11072 26153 13128 27956 15682 28399 18780 28442 29483 16969 18136 3 7255 21315 43721 20560 3 outh N adia aldaha Purulia Howrah Bankura edinipur edinipur Hooghly M Birbhum lipurduar Jalpaiguri Darjeeling A oochbehar urshidabad Bardhaman C M Kolkata N orth Kolkata S Uttar Dinajpur Purbo M Purbo Dakshin Dinajpur outh 24-Parganas N orth 24-Parganas S Paschim M Paschim

General Elections to 28 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016 Counting Alongside preparations for poll, DEOs continued with their preparations for counting. Due approval was obtained from the Commission for all the 90 Counting venues covering 294 ACs of the State. A detailed training plan was prepared and executed, including training for the DEOs and State Level Master Trainers at State level down the line to the level of the Returning and Assistant Returning Officers, Counting Supervisors, Counting Assistants, Micro Observers, other counting personnel. Training was also given to the counting agents.

Counting venues No. of Counting No. of Strong Sl. No. Name of District No. of ACs No. of Venues Halls Rooms 1 CoochBehar 9 5 12 10 3 Alipurduar 5 1 5 6 2 Jalpaiguri 7 2 8 8 4 Darjeeling 6 4 6 7 5 Uttar Dinajpur 9 2 13 9 6 Dakshin Dinajpur 6 1 12 6 7 Malda 12 2 19 12 8 Murshidabad 22 6 22 23 9 Nadia 17 7 29 17 10 North 24 Parganas 33 10 38 38 11 South 24 Parganas 31 10 42 32 12 Kolkata South 4 4 4 6 13 Kolkata North 7 1 7 7 14 Howrah 16 6 18 18 15 Hooghly 18 7 19 18 16 Purba Medinipur 16 4 29 17 17 Paschim Medinipur 19 4 31 20 18 Purulia 9 2 11 10 19 Bankura 12 4 16 12 20 Burdwan 25 5 42 25 21 Birbhum 11 3 11 11 State Total 294 90 394 312

As scheduled, the Counting process for the General Elections the West Bengal Legislative Assembly 2016, was completed on the 19th of May, 2016. Finally, as the results of the general elections were declared, the Notification declaring names of the members elected for the Assembly Constituencies were made in pursuance to Section 73 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 by the Election Commission on 20th May, 2016.

Budget and Finance We may deliberate on this important aspect of the conduct of elections upon the vista of expenses incurred in the previous two General Elections and take nature and pattern of expenses on different broad categories of items to analyze and understand it in a better way.

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 29 General Election to Lok Sabha /Legislative Assembly Number of Poll Days Financial Involvement Expenditure for WB Legislative Assembly Elections, 2011 6 182 crores Expenditure for WB Lok Sabha Elections, 2014 5 292 crores Budget Estimations for WB Legislative Assembly Elections, 2016 7 300 crores Expenditure made so far for WB Legislative Assembly Elections, 2016 7 230 crores

Conduct of elections to the West Bengal Assembly had actually made to the districts, the districts submitted been a substantially big affair, involving large scale adjustments, wherever pending, to advances of last mobilization of human, material and financial resources. West Bengal Legislative Assembly Elections, 2011 and Meticulous planning went afoot nearly a year in advance. West Bengal Lok Sabha Elections, 2014. Moreover, it was Expenditure for conduct of general legislative elections mandated that the districts would be required to submit is borne entirely by the State Government. A detailed certificate to the pending Utilizations of funds allocated assessment of fund required for conduct of elections during last Lok Sabha Elections, 2014. Only when 100% was made and taken up with the Finance Department of Utilization of funds and 100% adjustments of advances the State Government for allocation of funds. in Detailed Contingent Bills to the previous two general elections had been submitted that they districts were Commission issued guidelines for fixing uniform rate entitled to receive funds. Furher, the districts submitted of remuneration for payments of staff deployed on their own budget estimates in relation to conduct of poll/counting duty in 2014 General Elections. Both the elections so that a line of understanding became clearer Commission and the State Government emphasized on for the CEO Office about the burden of expenditure a well-planned financial mechanism while dealing with which was going to be borne by the districts. huge budgetary allocations within a short span of time during the conduct of elections. The Office of the Chief As we see patterns of expenditure structurally, there are Electoral Officer made a provision of ` 150 crore in the areas of expenditure which were taken care of at the Budget Provision of 2015-2016 and proposed a budget state level. One major activity for which a large share of provision for ` 150 crores in the Budget Estimates of expenditure was borne at state level was procurement 2016-2017 under Head of Account 106-Charges for of election materials. Election materials procured by CEO Conduct of Election to State Legislature for meeting Office had been classified under three major heads: EVM various expenditures in connection with the General related election materials, materials other than EVM and Elections to West Bengal Legislative Assembly 2016. registers, handbooks, publications and documentations. The entire amount of Rs. 150.00 Crore for the financial The other major share of expenditure was related to year 2015-16 had been utilized for procurement of implementation of IT based applications, including Election Materials, Transportation of EVMs, Training and creation of backbone and IT infrastructure and training. other relevant expenditure. The present election being legislative assembly elections, the entire amount was In times of election, when decisions are taken fast, borne by the State Government. the Finance Department was moved to delegate special financial powers to theC hief Electoral In the matter of district expenditure, a systematic plan Officer to approve specific items of expenditure was followed in allocation of funds to districts before the without routing the files to the Finance Department conduct of elections. The pattern of allocation and scale for formal approval. The Finance Department gave were standardized on the basis of inputs and rationale its concurrence to the proposal as in the previous derived of the study made on expenditure in earlier general elections and it helped in facilitating elections. Districts were suitably sensitized to develop payment process at the CEO Office in certain cases. realistic budget estimates in the run up to the elections. As a matter of policy, though, all payment proposals Sufficient fund were given as advance to the District had ripened only under the concurrence of the Election Officers to meet emergent election related Finance Department. The Special financial power expenditure. A strict financial discipline had been enforced upon districts to obtain their share of allotments had been applied only in a few cases depending for conduct of elections. Before any allotments were upon unavailable and emergency context.

General Elections to 30 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016 In making allocations to districts, the guiding principle such directives of the Commission with the issuance contained the expenditure format developed and of a modified order. In terms of the said order, a person issued by the Ministry of Law and Justice, Government was considered ‘on election duty’ as and when he/she of India. As preparation for the last general elections left his/her residence/office to report for any election- gained momentum, a detailed analysis was made of related duty, including training and until he/she reached the expenditure made by districts in the last Lok Sabha back his/her residence/office after performance of his/ Elections. her election-related duty. If any mishap occured during this period, it was treated as having occurred on election Based upon analysis of key items of expenditure in duty subject to the condition that there was a causal districts, an attempt had been made to find out: connection between occurrence of death/injury and the • Districts showing more than average trends of due performance of election duty. The period of election expenditure; duty started from the date of the announcement of • Areas or items whether incidence of expenditure is elections and continued up to the end of election above par. process as notified by the Commission.

Based upon understandings as these, an SOP for Ex-Gratia Compensation already given to persons expenditure towards conduct of elections was prepared • Parimal Bauri, Burdwan district which was shared with districts. • Harinarayan Mondol, Nadia district An important aspect in expenditure control was fixation • Nadia Chand Hembram, Paschim Medinipur district of rates of items of expenditure at various levels of conduct of elections. The Commission had earmarked The Election Commission issued specific instructions rates of many items such as election materials which for grant of ex-gratia compensation to the next of kin were procured from firms prescribed by the Commission. to persons who had died or suffered grievous injuries The Commission also recommended the honorarium of leading to loss of limbs while on duty. Total reported personnel deployed on election duty. In all such cases, the cases of death of Persons, including Polling Personnel, rates, as prescribed by the Commission, were approved driver and khalasi, were two. Of all the four cases, three by the Finance Department in the State Government. persons have already received compensation each to the In case of procurement of other items for which rates tune of Rs 10.00 lakhs. Three cases are presently –at the were not fixed, neither the firms recommended by time of writing this document- under the consideration the Commission, procurement was made at state and of the Finance Department. The rest four proposals are district levels after observing due tender formalities. under the process of disposal with the District Election Exgratia Compensation Officers. A large number of Central/State Govt. Civilian Employees are deployed for election duties which entail strenuous work and involve elements of risks of diverse nature of ailment, injury, loss of limb and life. The Election Commission of India prescribed ex-gratia compensation in respect of central/state govt. civilian employees who died or sustained injuries in the course of discharging of their election duties. Recently, the Election Commission of India extended benefits of ex-gratia compensation to all private persons deployed in all types of election related duties.

The rates of ex gratia compensation in cases of unfortunate event of death of a personnel/private person and in the case of permanent disability like loss of limb, eyesight during the course of performance of election duties had been fixed by the Commission and the Government of West Bengal had duly complied

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 31 Reimbursement on Sickness and Injury: A State Innovation Taking the cue from the policy of Ex-gratia minimum time of 6 hours caused by sickness or injury compensation to persons who had died on Election or while on election duty at any of the government or had suffered from loss of limbs leading to permanent private hospitals/HCOs, as per norms and rates of the incapacitation, this new initiative for welfare of voters West Bengal Health Scheme, 2008 and charges made was launched with the approval of the Finance thereof, for treatment for which causal connection between sickness/injury and performance of election Department of the Government of West Bengal. duty got established. Sickness prevailed in persons Perspective of the present initiative with medical history, prior to the deployment of Under the existing provision, the ex gratia election duty including chronic diseases were not compensation is given to personnel only on the considered for such reimbursement. ground of death or permanent disability, but there Amount of reimbursement-Since there was an are instances where personnel deployed in election apprehension that such expenditure due to sickness/ duty often fall sick or sustain injuries which may not injury might lead to long spell of hospitalization necessarily lead to permanent disability and expenses and treatment thereof, to start with, the amount towards the treatment are to be borne by the of reimbursement was restricted to actual individual. It has also been reported that expenses on expenses which may include 7 (seven) days of post hospitalization care up to a maximum of Rs. 1,00,000 treatment to be incurred by the personnel is quite high, (Rs. One lakh) only. particularly when hospitalization becomes necessary and quite a sizeable number of personnel are not Authority to examine and recommend: Applications even covered under any of the medical insurance or seeking reimbursement towards treatment of sickness/ similar medical reimbursement scheme which makes injury were to be submitted by the affected personnel to the concerned District Election Officer along with it even more burdensome for such personnel to bear supporting documents through their respective heads the cost while performing election duty. of organization/administrative /competent authority Objective of the present initiative with a certification that no medical reimbursement had been claimed from the respective office.T he The present initiative includes reimbursement of District Election Officer concerned forwarded the actual expenses subject to a prescribed ceiling towards case for grant of reimbursement to the Chief Electoral the treatment of the personnel which are not covered Officer, West Bengal.T he District Election Officer was by the present scope of ex gratia compensation. first and foremost to satisfy himself/herself about the casual connection between a case of sickness/injury Criteria for Consideration and the performance of election duty before he/she Category of personnel: All personnel deployed by forwarded the case for grant of reimbursement. the District Election Officer directly or by some other The applications were required to be supported election authority on behalf of the District Election with medical reports and other relevant documents, Officer for the purpose of conduct of elections to such as the FIRs filed, if any, appointment letters for the West Bengal Legislative Assembly had come election duty. It remained the sole responsibility under the purview of this initiative. This included all of the District Election Officer, in the first instance, central and state Government employees, central & to satisfy him/herself about the fitness of each state government undertakings and private persons individual case before he/she forwarded the case for excluding the security & police personnel. This also grant of reimbursement in terms of this proposal. In included private civilian persons like drivers, cleaners, deciding such issues, all evidences, both direct and helpers, messengers, menials, videographers, circumstantial, were to be taken into account and cameraman etc. hired for deployment for election duty. submitted to the Chief Electoral Officer, West Bengal Period of consideration: Actual period of deployment for further consideration of such matters. for the election work after the announcement of Restrictions: The matter of allowing reimbursement elections up to the completion of election process as to the members of the security personnel, including notified by the Election Commission of India including the members of Police, , NVF, paramilitary the days of trainings were considered. force and the like deployed for election duty was not Reason of consideration: Indoor hospitalization for a to be considered under this order.

General Elections to 32 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016 Due Constitution of the West Bengal Lagislative Assembly, 2016 After the Counting process was completed, preparations were afoot to make the formal declaration of Results of Election. In terms of Section 73 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 (43 of 1951), whenever a general election is held to constitute a new State Legislative Assembly, soon after the declaration of results of elections by Returning Officers, the Election Commission of India notifies the names of the members elected for those constituencies in the Official Gazette and upon issue of such notification, the Assembly is deemed to be duly constituted. Due importance was attached to this process and endeavours were made to prepare an error-free notification. Care was taken to prepare the relevant documents in Form 21C, for Declaration of Result of Election under section 66 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. In order to standardize the process throughout the State, the task was set for the Returning Officers to meticulously check entries while preparing the list.T he most important aspects that were scrupulously checked in this process were as follows: 1. Whether the name of the constituency was in accordance with the last Delimitation Order. 2. Whether the name and address of the elected candidate was same as that mentioned in Form-7A that is, the list of Contesting Candidates. 3. Whether the name of the sponsoring party was as per the latest Notification on Political Parties and Election Symbols. The Form-21C received from all the Returning Officers were thoroughly checked at the office of the Chief Electoral Officer. It was verified to ensure that it was in accordance with the parameters mentioned above.T he consolidated information in respect of all assembly constituencies in the state was then sent to the Election Commission of India. The Election Commission of India once again checked and verified the consolidated list in terms of the names of the elected members, their party affiliation, if any, and also the number and name of the assembly constituency. Finally the Election Commission of India brought out the Due Constitution Notification in their Official Gazette to notify the names of the members elected for respective constituencies and the Chief Electoral Officer formally handed it over the Hon’ble of West Bengal in presence of the Senior Principal Secretary of the Election Commission of India. On issue of such notification, the West Bengal Legislative Assembly was deemed to have been duly constituted.

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 33 chapter

Electoral Roll II Management

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 35 Preparation of clean and healthy electoral rolls is stepping stone for sound election management. As a result of consistent efforts over the years, theS tate could achieve a position where 100% of its electors had with them Electoral Photo Identity Cards (EPICs) and 100% of them had their Photos in the Electoral Rolls. Intensive House-to-House BLO campaign and targeted SVEEP strategies had resulted in a significant improvement in health parameters of electoral rolls during successive Roll Revision Exercises. The general elections were scheduled to be held sometime in the year 2016. Preparatory activities for having clean electoral rolls were underway round the year 2015, which had already been declared the Year of Electoral Rolls.

Improvements in Electoral Roll The Commission laid a considerable emphasis on purification of rolls recognized as one of the primary objectives of the National Electoral Roll Purification and Authentication Programme (NERPAP) launched by the Commission. In fact, the NERPAP programme coalesced with the Continuous Updation programme of electoral rolls preceding Summary Revision of Electoral Rolls with respect to 01.01.2016 as qualifying date. The major focus of the NERPAP programme was gleaning corrections in electoral rolls through an incisive field verification exercise as the BLOs started updating BLO registers in all 77,247 Polling Stations in the state. BLOs prepared BLO registers afresh while mopping up forms 6, 7 & 8 from electors in order to make electoral rolls as much error-free as possible. The outcome of the Continuous Updation programme, 2015 could be summarized as follows:

% Of Households covered by BLOs: 100% NERPAP Programme (As On 31.07.2015) % of Mobile Numbers collected: 24.69%

FORM 6: 180257 Forms mobilized under FORM 7: 36756 No of Form 6 per Polling Station: 2.25 Continuous Updation No of Form 8 per Polling Station: 3.29 Programme of Rolls, 2015 FORM 8: 254144 FORM 8A: 18794 Major Milestones of the Continuous Updation Programme, 2015 Immediately before the Draft Publication of Electoral Rolls, major milestones of the continuous updation programme could be summarised as follows: • Removal of Duplicate Electors: Of 5,44,851 probable duplicates generated through software, all had been verified by BLOs at field.T otal duplicate electors identified by BLOs through field verification against probable duplicates were 73,983. Necessary action towards removal of duplicate electors was taken following due process of law. • Cleaning of 80+ Electors: Of a total of 8,73,675 electors above 80 years of age searched through software, 96,796 electors were found dead by BLOs through field verification. Necessary action for removal of such entries against dead persons had been initiated following due process of law. Rationalization Exercise of Polling Stations took place and was given effect, following Commission’s approval, in the Draft Electoral Rolls. Draft Publications of Electoral Rolls, 2016

Summary Revision of Electoral Rolls Draft Roll, 2015 Final Roll, 2015 Draft Roll, 2016 Total Elector 6,24,21,579 6,37,35,915 6,34,95,705 Male 3,24,66,424 3,31,06,069 3,29,92,690 Female 2,99,54,656 3,06,29,238 3,05,02,349 Third Gender 499 608 666 Net change over previous Roll Nil 13,14,338 (2.11%) – 2,40,210 (-0.38%)

General Elections to 36 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016 For understanding the qualitative changes in health parameters of Electoral Rolls, at the time of Draft Publication, following table is a case in point: % Change over Previous Rolls Draft Roll 2015 Final Roll 2015 Draft Roll 2016 % Electoral Photo Identity Cards of Electors 100 100 100 % Photo in Elector Roll 100 100 100 % of 18-19 Group to Electors Total Electors 1.32 3.04 1.17 Gender Ratio in Electoral Rolls 923 925 925 Elector to Population (EPI) Ratio 0.66 0.67 0.66

It is observed Elector to Population Ratio remained healthy at a figure of 66% electors to the population. Gender Ratio was healthier at 925 compared to 923 of the Draft Rolls, 2015 and 925 at Final Publication of Electoral Rolls, 2015, indicating a trend of healthy intake in female electors during the Continuous Updation process of electoral rolls. A slight slump, on the other hand, would appear in the percentage representation of 18-19 age electors in the electoral rolls at 1.17 compared to 1.32 of the Draft Rolls of 2015. But, this deficit was only temporary in nature and was made good, as we would see, at the time of final publication of rolls by application of a number of strategic interventions.

n electoral Roll Observers had been appointed. Training of Electoral Roll Observers had been imparted at the CEO Office n sveeP Strategies of SRER, 2016 had been developed and implemented with precision. n meetings with Representatives of Recognized Political Parties about SRER, 2016 had been held at both state, district and sub-divisional levels. n training of DEOs/EROs/AEROs/BLOs had taken place in a cascaded manner in small groups. n as in previous years, Electors’ Information Slips were distributed to all electors immediately after Draft Publication of Electoral Rolls. Roll Related Activities preceding General Elections to the WBLA, 2016: The objectives set by the Commission in management of electoral rolls could be summarized as follows: • All eligible persons should be enrolled in the rolls; • There are no wrongful deletions of electors from the rolls; • All entries in the electoral rolls are correct in terms of details like name, surname, age etc. A lot of emphasis, as is customary during every general election, was laid on enrolment of all eligible citizens so that they could vote and take part in the democratic process of elections. For its part, the Commission issued instructions to follow a specific frame of time for publication of supplements.T he Summary Revision of Electoral Rolls was conducted in strict obedience to the following calendar.

Sl No Stages of Revision Period allowed for Stage 1 Draft Publication of Rolls 1st September, 2015 (Tuesday) 1st September, 2015 (Tuesday) to 2 Period for filing of claims and objections 28th September, 2015 (Friday) Reading of relevant part/section of photo electoral rolls in Gram 3rd September, 2015 (Thursday) and 3 Sabha /Local Bodies and RWA meetings etc. & verification of names 10th September, 2015 (Thursday) Special Campaign dates with Booth Level Agents of political 6th September, 2015 (Sunday) 4 parties for receiving Claims and Objections 13th September, 2015 (Sunday) 5 Disposal of Claims and Objections By 9th November, 2015 (Monday) Updating the database, merging of photographs, updating the 6 By 23rd December, 2015 (Wednesday) Control Tables and preparation and printing of supplementary list Final Publication of Electoral Rolls with 01/01/2016 as the 7 On 05th January 2016 (Tuesday) qualifying date

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 37 Interface with Political Parties • Form-7 and Form-8 received during continuous updation programme. The corrections were reflected During Pre-Revision and Special Summary Revision in the draft electoral rolls. activity, 2016 there was an inbuilt mechanism in which all major activities and developments were informed to • Deletion of shifted electors through Part–IV of Form 6 the political parties. submitted during Continuous Updation programme. • Meetings were organized both by the Chief Electoral Officer and District of Election Officers Sources of Identification of Errors with representative of recognized political parties at

periodical intervals. are b w surveylo • BLAs were appointed by recognized political parties. BLAs submitted the list of Dead and shifted electors Soft generated during BLO-BLA meetings organized on Special errors Campaign days. Errors • Names of MPs and MLAs, recognized political Identified personalities and other eminent personalities have identierrorfied s been checked in the Draft electoral roll and also roll cleaning before publication of the Final rolls.

d form & • Help Line was functional at the State headquarters ay on received (1950) with District Help lines being similarly activated to facilitate voters in the districts.

No major complaints had been received from political EROs took action as per law after observing all necessary parties on Roll related issues. formalities which included BLO enquiry, Serving of Notices, individual Hearing of electors and passing of Cleansing of Electoral Rolls the Reasoned Orders. The present discussion was initiated with an account During Special Summary Revision of Electoral Rolls of the efforts that had been taken for cleansing of the programme, 2016: electoral rolls before West Bengal Assembly General Elections, 2016. In order to ensure fidelity in roll, quite • Deletion of shifted electors through Part–IV of Form a number of initiatives had been taken including 6 received during the revision programme. integrating a number of validation checks in software • Form-7 and Form-8 received during the revision following Commission’s instructions in this regard. The programme. focus of these efforts had been on deletion of repeated electors, removal of junk characters, corrections in age • Probable repeated Electors generated through and other entries, wherever they existed, in the electoral Software at the State headquaters and verified at rolls. field level. • Identification and subsequent confirmation of Activities for Cleaning of Electoral Rolls duplicate electors through BLO H2H Survey and During Pre-Revision Period: Probable Repeated serving individual notice for deletion of entries from Electors generated through Software at the State the electoral rolls. headquarters. • Errors identified on Special Roll Cleaning Days. • Errors Identified by ECI technical team. • Single Day Hearing Programmes for confirmation of • Corrections/ Dead/ Shifted electors identified probable repeated electors. through BLO House to House Survey. • List of dead/absentee electors submitted by BLAs / • List of dead/absentee electors submitted by Political Political Parties which were subsequently enquired Parties and enquired into by BLOs. by BLOs. Individual Notices were served upon them • List of dead electors received from Local Self in due course. Governments (Municipalities and Gram Panchayets) • List of dead electors received from Local Self and enquired into by BLOs. Governments (Municipalities and Gram Panchayats)

General Elections to 38 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016 Repeated Electors removed during last 3 years

Probable Repeated Actual Repeated Year Criteria of Identification Identified Verified by Identified and Deleted by Software BLOs SRER 2014 Name, Relationship Name, Sex, Age 19.29 Lakhs 19.29 Lakhs 3.28 Lakhs Name, Relationship Name, Sex, Age 28.22 Lakhs 28.22 Lakhs SRER 2015 8.04 Lakhs total deletion Same EPIC No 3.53 Lakhs 3.53 Lakhs

Name, Relationship Name, Sex, Age 2.23 Lakhs 2.23 Lakhs 81,866 repeated electors SRER 2016 Same EPIC No 2.17 Lakhs 2.17 lakhs deletion

All deletions of names were done following due procedure

Repeated entries found through software List of Dead/ Shifted electors identified Deletion of shifted by BLO electors (Part IV of Form 6)

Deletion of Names

List of Dead/ Shifted electors submitted Form 7 by BLA/ Political – Polling Station map and other particulars. Parties. List of Dead electors The scale of checking of the Electoral Roll was as follows: received from LSG (Municipalities/ • BLOs and Supervisors would supervise 100% of parts Panchayats etc). within their respective jurisdiction. • ERO/AERO: 100 parts at random within their jurisdiction. Strategies for Cleaning of Electoral Rolls. • Additional District Election Officers – 50 parts at Special Roll Cleaning Day random within their jurisdiction. This year, a special initiative was taken to examine and • DEOs – 20 parts at random within the districts. clean the draft Electoral Roll, by all Election Managers Single Day Hearing for Probable Repeated in the state on 15th September, 2015. On the same Electors date, the election managers at each level of supervision including the BLOs, Supervisors, AEROs, EROs, ADMs and The initiative was such that every district convened a the DEOs examined and scrutinized electoral rolls at a special single day hearing programme throughout the scale which was mandated by the office of the clean of district for all the probable repeated electors identified Electoral Officer. Following areas were earmarked for through software. close scrutiny: The purpose behind organizing this was to decline – correction of top sheets of the Electoral Roll. opportunity otherwise given to an elector to be present – repeated electors: Phonetic and Repeated EPIC, at two hearing venues at the same time simultaneously. The premise is this that an elector and his duplicate(s) – correction of junk characters. cannot ensure presence simultaneously for hearing on – Quality of photograph. same date at two different locations.

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 39 This resulted in deletion of duplicate entries in the districts to a considerable extent. This helped also in the process of identification of actually repeated electors within the same district. EPIC Disposal Week Profile Analysis Profile Analysis was taken-up to understand and identify Being the election year was taken a special drive to deficits in basic parameters, such as Elector to Population take stock of all returned and defective EPICs within the Ratio, Gender Ratio, and percentage existence of 18-19 districts. All such EPICs were disposed following due age bracket electors in the electoral rolls. The basic unit procedure of law in due obedience to the instructions of of Profile analysis was Polling Station but ultimately, it the Commission. The EPIC Disposal Week was organized was assembly constituency at which the Polling Station from 16th to 20th November 2015. wise data was accumulated, compared and analyzed in terms of both quantity and qualitative performance: in terms of deletion of dead and shifted electors, and repeated electors of an Assembly Constituency segment. Trends in submission of claim forms, its acceptance and rejection, quality of disposal and overall activity profile was captured in the profile analysis. Scale of Profile Analysis – DEOs did for 01 AC and the rest ACs were done by the Additional District Magistrates. – DEOs had identified critical gaps for system improvements.

General Elections to 40 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016 Concerted efforts for making a clean and healthy electoral roll during the Summery Revision Exercise resulted in a general enhancement in all parameters of health of electoral roll at the time of its final publication.

% Change over Previous Rolls 2015 Final Roll 2016 Draft Roll 2016 Final Roll % Electoral Photo Identity Cards of Electors 100 100 100 % Photo in Elector Roll 100 100 100 % of 18-19 Group to Electors Total Electors 3.04 1.17 3.23 Gender Ratio in Electoral Rolls 925 925 933 Elector to Population (EPI) Ratio 0.67 0.66 0.68

The district wise status of performance is in Final E-Roll 2016 reproduced below

Electoral Percentage of total registered District Gender Ratio population 18-19 voters over eligible voters Ratio COOCHBEHAR 919 0.72 3.46

ALIPURDUAR 952 0.65 3.25

JALPAIGURI 950 0.69 3.71

DARJEELING 984 0.67 2.85

UTTAR DINAJPUR 911 0.64 3.73

DAKHSIN DINAJPUR 924 0.62 3.12

MALDA 932 0.65 3.98

MURSHIDABAD 938 0.67 3.71

NADIA 927 0.70 3.40

NORTH 24 PARGANAS 950 0.67 2.67

SOUTH 24 PARGANAS 947 0.71 2.89

KOLKATA SOUTH 838 0.65 1.54

KOLKATA NORTH 806 0.62 1.50

HOWRAH 906 0.70 2.67

HOOGHLY 945 0.71 2.91

PURBO MEDINIPUR 923 0.69 3.56

PASCHIM MEDINIPUR 958 0.69 3.60

PURULIA 936 0.67 3.43

BANKURA 949 0.69 3.34

BARDHAMAN 922 0.69 3.00

BIRBHUM 947 0.69 3.64

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 41 A look at the profile of electors would suggest that there had been a general trend in growth of electors over the years. Year wise figures of Addition and Deletion to the Electoral Rolls

Year Draft Roll Total Additions Total Deletions Final Roll 2009 5,16,12,655 14,61,004 6,45,455 5,24,28,204 2010 5,16,60,121 37,53,840 4,54,840 5,49,60,489 2011 5,49,63,904 14,34,783 3,06,714 5,60,91,973 2012 5,60,79,774 21,91,643 4,66,875 5,78,05,754 2013 5,72,80,008 30,63,254 3,28,395 6,00,14,867 2014 5,96,81,216 32,29,652 4,41,880 6,24,68,988 2015 6,24,21,577 21,53,194 8,38,856 6,37,35,915 2016 6,34,95,715 26,33,338 5,82,952 6,55,46,101

Year wise percentage of Gross Addition of electors to the Electoral Rolls

Claims as a % of Draft Form 6 admitted as a % Gross addition as a % Year Electors of lodged of draft Electors 2009 4.06 65.68 2.68 2010 10.89 68.99 7.26 2011 3.58 73.15 2.63 2012 4.28 80.04 3.91 2013 6.56 81.45 5.35 2014 6.53 82.89 5.41 2015 4.22 81.82 3.45 2016 5.01 82.79 4.48

The high trend in growth of electors in the rolls has positively influenced the Elector-to-Population Ratio (E-P) in the rolls. There has been a consistent growth in E-P ratio over the last few Revisions.

Elector – Population Ratio Overtime 0.69 0.67 0.68 0.67 0.66

0.65 0.64

0.63 0.62

0.61 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

There has been an increase in the State Elector-to-Population (E-P) Ratio in the rolls which stood at 0.68 at the time of Final Publication compared to 0.66 of the Draft Rolls, 2016. In terms of Commission’s objectives, the Elector-to- Population (E-P) ratio on the electoral rolls has to match the 18+ population as per Census. The experience of SRER, 2016 has shown a robust growth in E-P ratio in all districts of the states during SRER, 2016.

General Elections to 42 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016 Elector to Population Ratio of Districts of the Finally Published Rolls, 2016 0.74 0.72 0.70 0.68 0.66 0.64 0.62 0.60 0.58 0.56 a ar jpu r jpu r a b d na d ia ai gu ri g anas g anas d mal pu r u lia b ir bhu m h o w ra h b an ku ra ar ar h oo gh ly ar j eelin g p p ata so u t h ata ata nort h ata j al p d ali pu r du b ar dh aman hb e h ar cooc 24 24 24 24 m u rs h i d ol k ol k k k ttar d ina u ttar in d ina a k s h in o me d ini pu r pu r b o d im me d ini pu r asc h im p so u t h nort h

Much of this improvement in Elector-to-Population Ratio is contributed by the house-to-house survey of prospective electors by the BLOs. For successively four years in a row in the State, we have been updating the BLO register that came of an intensive house-to-house survey by the BLOs. BLO Registers provided the bedrock of an incisive situation analysis by Booth Level Officers (BLOs) when they visited house-to-house during Pre-Revision activity. The BLOs identified prospective electors not in numbers, but in names. Eligible electors not yet enrolled, as well as the teenagers who would then be eligible in reference to the qualifying dates-they formed the basket of prospective electors for the Revision Exercises. The BLOs were assigned responsibilities, Polling Station wise to complete distributing forms to the potential electors for inclusion, deletion and corrections before the onset of Summary Revision of Electoral Rolls. During the period of Claims and Objections, it was part of daily monitoring mechanism by BLOs and EROs to see how many of the potential electors identified had indeed, submitted Form-6/8. BLOs tracked the status of submission of forms on a day-to-day basis and also monitored the reasons of non-submission against proposed inclusions and corrections.

In terms of Gender Ratio also, there was a similar trend of growth over the successive Revision Exercises. There had been a growth of 8 points in the electoral rolls at Final Publication, 2016. The increase was spread across all the districts in the State. Percentage of enrolment of new women electors in the State was 55% which was more than the male enrolment.

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 43 gender ratio of electors over the years 935 930 925 933 925 923 atio 920 911 915

er R Gen d er 910 905 905 900 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Growth in Gender Ratio during SRER, 2016 1000

960

920

880 Draft Roll 2016 840 Final Roll 2016

800 a ar jpu r jpu r a b d na d ia ai gu ri g anas g anas d mal pu r u lia b ir bhu m h o w ra h b an ku ra ar ar h oo gh ly ar j eelin g p p ata so u t h ata ata nort h ata j al p d ali pu r du b ar dh aman hb e h ar cooc 24 24 24 24 m u rs h i d ol k ol k k k ttar d ina u ttar in d ina a k s h in o me d ini pu r pu r b o d im me d ini pu r asc h im p so u t h nort h

Female Count in Electoral Roll Female Count in the age group of 18-19 350 100

300 80 250

200 60

150 40 871295 30502354 31638993 100 29954655 (Figure in crores) (Figure (Figure in crores) (Figure 20 50 342146 287223 0 0 Draft Roll Draft Roll Final Roll Draft Roll Draft Roll Final Roll 2015 2016 2016 2015 2016 2016

Improvements in 18-19 age Cohort In our state, there have been consistent efforts to enhance inclusion of young electors by implementing a number of interpersonal communication tools, particularly in educational institutions. BLOs too played their roles, identifying potential 18-19 age young electors during Pre-Revision activity. The outcome of these initiatives is reflected in the finally published rolls of 2016.

General Elections to 44 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016 percentage inclusion of 18-19 age electors

4.00 3.71 3.73 3.56 3.64 3.46 3.71 3.34 3.50 3.98 3.60 2.89 3.43 3.00 3.25 2.57 2.91 3.12 3.00 2.50 2.85 2.67 2.00

1.50 1.50 1.54 1.00 a ar jpu r jpu r a b d na d ia ai gu ri g anas g anas d mal pu r u lia b ir bhu m h o w ra h b an ku ra ar ar h oo gh ly ar j eelin g p p ata so u t h ata ata nort h ata j al p d ali pu r du b ar dh aman hb e h ar cooc 24 24 24 m u rs h i d ol k ol k k k ttar d ina u ttar in d ina a k s h in o me d ini pu r pu r b o d im me d ini pu r asc h im p so u t h nort h

In our endeavour to improve the status of inclusiveness of 18-19 age electors in the rolls, a considerable emphasis was laid on inclusion of potential electors in the educational institutions, in particular girl students. There we have followed a definite framework of implementation:

Framework of Implementation • Step-by-Step Operational Guidelines framed and shared with Heads of educational institutions for Enrolment in Education Institutions registration of students, in particular girl students. • Sharing the goal of 100% inclusion of female • Partnership developed with the Department of students in educational institutions as one of the Higher Education which issued administrative primary focus areas of SRER activity. instructions to district officials for their involvement • Distribution of Form 6 to eligible students and day- and participation in the registration program. to-day monitoring of Form 6 submissions by DEOs • Identification of Nodal Officers in educational & EROs. BLOs were asked to coordinate with Nodal institutions and their training by EROs: List of Nodal Officers of educational institutions. Officers uploaded in district websites.

Voters’ Help Desks remained activated in educational institutions to facilitate distribution of forms, sharing of relevant information and submission of forms from prospective electors, including women electors. It was, therefore, with these electoral rolls that we embarked upon the General Elections to the West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016.

Facilitation of Electors: Much before the elections were announced, the Commission spelt out in clear terms its objectives of electoral roll management prior to the elections and set in motion a mechanism that facilitated citizens in registration in electoral rolls. Facilitation of electors to identify Polling Stations had been a feature ingrained in the website of the Chief Electoral Officer for long. In the website, the electoral rolls were displayed in PDF versions. There had been search facility as well as the facility of knowing the part and serial numbers of the electors through sms at designated numbers. Along with these facilities, there had been the Call Centre set up at the CEO Office while similar facilitation centres had been set-up in the districts also to answer to the queries of the electors. In terms of facilitation, the main focus of our campaign was logically on sharing information to the citizens that it was not enough to have a voters’ card to vote: it is essential to have one’s name in the electoral rolls in order that one may vote on the day of poll.

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 45 Search from Voters’ List in the Website

SMS WBELECEPIC No at 9002481874 Know Your Polling Station, Part & Serial Number SMS WB EC EPIC No at 51969

Search by EPIC Number

Special Initiatives during Special Continuous Website on 05.01.2016. Updation Programme, 2016 – the entire lists of rejections and deletion cases were handed over to the recognized political parties on This time, following instructions of the Commission, a 05.01.2016. very special initiative was taken to provide the citizens with an extended opportunity of getting their names – intimation letter stating grounds of rejection of enrolled in the electoral rolls if they were eligible. Hence Form 8A, accompanying two (02) fresh Forms 8A, a Special Continuous Updation programme was put into were served upon electors by the BLOs before effect immediately after the final publication of electoral 05.01.2016. This was a special initiative taken in view rolls on 5th January, 2016. of the observation that the applicants who were rejected on grounds of insufficiency of documents be However, before the Special Continuous Updation given another round of opportunities for enrolment activity, 2016, following activities were completed in at their present places of ordinary residence before districts to enforce transparency: elections. – intimation letters stating grounds of rejection/ The accent in implementing these special initiatives was deletion were served to the applicant/ electors. in creating more space for the stakeholders, in creating – The entire lists of rejections and deletion more opportunities for electors to get enrolled and get cases were uploaded in the DEO’s and CEO’s entries corrected in the electoral rolls and while doing it,

General Elections to 46 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016 implementing these activities in a transparent manner Continuous Updation programmes were distributed getting political parties appraised at every stage of the before the National Voters’ Day. process. Strategies of Special Continuous Updation Special Continuous Updation activity was envisaged to Programme extend benefit of enrolment and correction of entries • Special Continuous Updation programme was well at the Polling Stations itself during the period from publicized using print and electronic media which 05.01.2016 to 17.01.2016. Following are some of the included Radio FMs/All India Radio/Doordarshan. facets of the Special Continuous Updation Programme, 2016. • Effective SVEEP strategies were formulated. Campaign Materials were designed especially for the • During this period, BLOs/DOs sat at Polling Stations. purpose and displayed for public awareness. As such, the prospective electors could avail opportunity of enrolment at Polling stations nearer • 24x7 Help lines for crowd sourcing were made to their places of ordinary residence. functional and were well publicized. The Help lines were an important source of feedbacks from citizens. • BLO/BLA meetings and reading of Electoral Rolls in Gram Sabha / Wards were held on the Special • Meetings with recognized political parties were Enrolment Camp Days on 10.01.16 and 17.01.16 integral to the implementation of the programme. which were holidays. • Wide publicity was given to the fact that EPIC holders • The political parties were requested to ask their BLAs must check their names in the finally published to bring and share the list of eligible but un-enrolled electoral rolls and fill up Form-6 if their name does electors with the BLOs during BLO-BLA meetings. not exist in the finally published electoral rolls for some reasons. • Wide publicity was made to make the people aware of the Special Enrolment Camps by devising • Contact details of the BLOs were well publicized in appropriate SVEEP strategies. local offices of self government namely the Gram Panchayats and Municipality Offices. • During the Special Enrolment camps, the DOs/BLOs read out electoral rolls so that all electors could get opportunities to check their names in the finally published roll. • All educational institutions (higher secondary schools and colleges) opened special windows in their institutions to survey and inform all eligible but un-enrolled students to file application for registration. AEROs visited educational institutions within their jurisdictions providing sufficient forms and support to the students. • Electoral Photo Identity Cards for the newly enrolled electors during Summary Revision and Special Special Continuous Updation Programme Total Forms received on Special Weekend Camps

Date Form-6 Form-7 Form-8 Form-8A 10.01.2016 15,584 52 6,848 1,562 17.01.2016 2,37,584 2,030 95,227 26,358

Total Forms received in Continuous Updation Period (5.01.2.016 – 04.03.2016)

Form-6 Form-7 Form-8 Form-8A

4,81,604 14,653 2,31,611 50,000

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 47 Special drive for Electoral Roll purification Prior to this election another initiative was taken to finally clean the electoral roll before going for the polls.T he calendar of activities as followed is detailed below Activity Timeline Meeting conducted with Political Party By 19.02.2016 Collection of list of dead electors from Municipality/Local Bodies By 19.02.2016 List of repeated entries/ dead voter on DEOs/ CEO Website By 20.02.2016 BLO-BLA meeting and Reading of Rolls, repeated entries/ dead voters list in the On 20.02.2016 meeting of the Gram Sabha/Wards BLO verification By 24.02.2016 Disposal by ERO By 29.02.2016 Special drive for Electoral Roll purification – State Summary Total Repeated Electors 69,349 Total Repeated EPIC 2,464 Total Dead Electors (Received from local bodies/from local 97,108 source (BLA/BLO) 1,02,140 (Dead Electors – 94,038, Repeated Total deleted after 100% verification by BLO Electors – 7,402, Repeated EPIC Electors – 700)

The Electoral Rolls for the West Bengal Assembly General elections 2016 was published after incorporating the results of all the above mentioned activities in phase wise manner to the run-up to the elections as follows:

Publication Moment Electoral Rolls Draft Publication of Electoral Rolls, 2016 Mother Rolls Final Publication of Electoral Rolls, 2016 1st Supplement for Inclusion, Deletion and Modification Immediately after announcement of Elections 2nd Supplement for Deletion and Modifications 10 days after Nomination Inclusion Supplement 10+3 days after last date of Nomination 3rd Supplement for Deletion/Modification.

Copies of the mother rolls and the Supplements were handed over to the candidates within three days after the last date of Nomination. The respective figures for addition, deletion and modification during the Continuous Updation process preceding the West Bengal Assembly General Elections, 2016 are reproduced below:

NET ELECTOR ADDTION DURING DELETION DURING NET ELECTOR FOR after Final publication 2016 CONTINUOUS UPDATION CONTINUOUS UPDATION GE 2016 6,55,46,101 3,88,573 1,15,878 6,58,18,796 Photo Voter Slip Distribution Preparing Electoral Rolls for the West Bengal Assembly General Elections, 2016 had been an experience that went off smoothly without any serious complaints being raised in this regard. Following the cue of the last General Assembly Elections in the State in 2011, Photo Voters’ Slips (PVS) were distributed to all the electors of the state before the poll. The PVS incorporated relevant information and instructions related to Poll. Repeated visits were made to mop up all electors. ASD list was prepared on undistributed PVS.

General Elections to 48 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016 Enrolment of Erstwhile Enclave Dwellers in Coochbehar District

There were 111 Indian Enclaves in Bangladesh and 51 Bangladeshi Enclaves in India. As far as history records, the little territories were apparently the result of a confused outcome of a 1713 treaty between the Kingdom of Cooch Behar and the . As a result, the enclaves were part of the long pending border dispute between India and Bangladesh since Independence. After the enactment of the Constitution (One Hundredth Amendment) Act, 2015 exchange of enclaves [as prescribed in ‘The Land Boundary Agreement(LBA), 1974] between India & Bangladesh took place on 31st July 2015 under the guidance of Jt. Boundary Working Group for India & Bangladesh. This has resulted in inclusion of 7109.91 acre of new territory to the district of Cooch Behar. ENCLAVES AREA (acr.) POPULATION FAMILIES Indian Enclaves 111 17,995 38,521 7,648 Bangladeshi Enclaves 51 7,110 14,864 2,867 Before the exchange, a joint field survey by the enumerators was conducted on 6-16th July 2015, during which the names, parents’ names, age, sex, religion, citizenship option were collected. The synopsis is presented below:- Outcome of Joint field visit in Enclaves:

Number of Population as per 2011 Headcount Population as per 2015 joint Survey Name of the Country Enclaves Male Female Total Male Female Total India 111 19339 17995 37,334 20192 18984 39,176 Bangladesh 51 7275 6940 14215 7513 7351 14864 Total 162 26,614 24,935 51,549 27,705 26,335 54,040

Option for Citizenship given by the residents of Enclaves: Particulars Male Female Total Family Remark All the 987 persons will move out of Residents of 111 erstwhile Bangladesh and settle in Cooch Behar Indian Enclaves who have district during the period November 2015. opted to retain their Indian 509 478 987 220 (As per minutes of the 7th Meeting of Citizenship and settle in Cooch India –Bangladesh Joint Boundary working Behar district groups dated 6th - 7th October, 2015) Residents of 51 erstwhile All the 14,864 residents opted for Indian Bangladesh Enclaves who Citizenship were declared as Indian Citizens have opted to acquire Indian 7513 7351 14,864 2867 by the Gazette Notification of MEA bearing Citizenship and settle in Cooch no 1614 dated 31.07.2015 Behar district Total 8022 7829 15851 3087

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 49 Subsequent to the enclave merger, the following notifications were issued for giving effect to enrolment of erstwhile enclave dwellers:

Sl. No. SUBJECT OF NOTIFICATION ISSUED BY 1 Acquisition of territories from Bangladesh and transfer of the territories to MEA, GoI Bangladesh, in pursuance of LBA. 2 Inclusion of 51 erstwhile Bangladesh Enclaves in respective jurisdiction of Home Dept., West Bengal different Police Stations of Cooch Behar, West Bengal. 3 Allotment of PIN Code to 51 erstwhile Bangladeshi Enclaves. Chief Postmaster General, WB 4 Declaration of conversion of the areas of 9 Enclaves and major areas of 4 Land & Land Reforms Enclaves excluding the scattered parts as 13 new units of revenue villages in Dept., West Bengal the District of Cooch Behar . 5 Declaration of merger of the 38 Enclaves with the existing 31 revenue villages in Cooch Behar District of West Bengal and adopting these re-constituted revenue villages as re-constituted units of record and survey in framing the record of rights under the WB LR Act, 1955. 6 The enclaves so transferred shall come under the jurisdiction of the Gram Panchayats either by creation of new Mouzas or amalgamation of part Panchayats & Rural Dev. or whole into the existing Mouzas under the jurisdiction of such Gram Dept., West Bengal Panchayats. 7 Acquisition of Indian Citizenship and subsequent renouncement of the citizenship of Bangladesh in respect of 14,864 erstwhile Bangladeshi enclaves MEA, GoI dwellers under Section 7 of the citizenship Act, 1955 (57 of 1955). 8 Notification no 998 – Home (Elec) , Kolkata, the 5th March , 2016 regarding Home Department, Delimitation of Constituencies in the State of West Bengal Election Branch, Govt. of W.B 9 Instruction No 23/WB/2016 dated 17.03.2016 for Special Revision with respect to 01.01.2016 for fresh enumeration of Indian citizens of Cooch ECI Behar district consequent to exchange of territories between India and Bangladesh obtained from Election Commission of India.

The residents of these 111 erstwhile enclaves in ii) enclaves having large population have been tagged Bangladesh had never been enrolled and participated with the polling stations of nearby Mouza as there in the Indian electoral process and they also do not are no physical infrastructure in enclaves for setting possess any documents to prove their identity as they up polling stations. were never subjected to any census or government iii) enclaves having lesser population have been tagged programmes of the Indian Government. Thus about with polling stations of the concerned Mouza to 15,851 erstwhile enclave residents became eligible for which it has been amalgamated. enrolment. Therefore necessary arrangements were made for enrolling their names in the electoral roll iv) No substantial change in voter population is and also for issuing the EPIC by undertaking a special observed after tagging however, some Auxiliary revision programme as per the instruction of the Election polling stations have been created for enclaves Commission of India. having large population. v) Sending Electoral proposal to the Election Procedure Commission of India with all govt orders, notifications Following procedure were adopted: and maps demarcating the chhit areas. i) enclaves have been grouped AC wise. The eligible vi) ratification of Proposal of regarding Delimitation of voters are tagged to nearest polling station after Constituencies in the State of West Bengal & Special assessing accessibility. Revision Programme by the ECI

General Elections to 50 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016 vii) Filling up of Form 4 in a campaign mode.

viii) Draft publication of Electoral Roll for the affected parts (41) due to enclave merger

ix) receipt of claims and objections

x) Final publication of Electoral Roll

xi) Providing EPIC to the newly enrolled Electors.

Schedule for Enclave Enrolment Sl. No. Activity Period 1 Door to Door Survey by BLOs/Enumerators 17th March ,2016 to 19th March,2016 2 Draft Publication of Electoral Rolls 21st March 2016 3 Period for filing claims and objections 21st March’2016 to 28th March’2016 4 Period for Disposal of claims and objections 29th March ,2016 to 7th April’2016 5 Data Entry and Preparation of supplements 10th April’2016 6 Final Publication of Electoral Rolls 11th April’2016 Constraints The main constraint in the exercise was limited time. To overcome the time constraint we have prefilled the Form 4 with the information available from RGI & Ministry of External Affairs, Govt of India. First, we find out the expected electors from the notification of MEA, GoI . Then Form 4 was prefilled with the information like name, fathers’ name, age of such expected electors from the notification of the MEA, GoI and the provision of image capturing were made at the camps. Small teams were formed with AEROs, BLOs, other officials and photographer’s under the supervision of the respective EROs .Teams covered all the families of erstwhile enclave dwellers and collected signatures and photos from them at the camps. After receiving Form 4 images from the citizens, simultaneous entries in electoral database were undertaken at the office of the EROs. After completion of entry, the draft Roll was published on 21.03.2016 for receiving claims and objections & the roll in the form of supplements to the existing parts were published finally on 11/04/16 . The synopsis of enrolment is presented below:-

No and name of the Assembly Household Male Female Total Constituency 01 Mekliganj (SC) 198 293 283 576 05 Sitalkhuchi (SC) 632 977 921 1898 06 Sitai (SC) 333 607 634 1241 07 Dinhata 1636 2744 2742 5486 08 Natabari 0 0 0 0 09 Tufanganj 3 3 5 8 Total For 51 Erstwhile BD Enclaves 2802 4624 4585 9209 Total for 3 Settlement Camps 198 293 274 567 District Total 3000 4917 4859 9776

SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS for Erstwhile Enclave • Special awareness campaign was done during House dwellers to cast their franchise for the first time : to House Delivery of EPIC & Photo Voters Slips. This • Enclaves were tagged with the adjacent existing includes:- polling station in such way that the voters had to • Mobile Museum on democratic rights and the travel minimum distance (2 km) Constitution of India; its electoral history;

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 51 • Know your Polling Stations; • Special Focus on Security arrangements in Enclaves • Know your BLO, ARO, RO; The first experience of voting • How to caste vote; The newly enrolled Electors have cast their votes • EVM Demonstation; spontaneously and their voting percentage stood at a • Setting up of Model Polling Stations in Chhit Mahals robust 81%. • Other focussed SVEEP , mass mobilization campaign Voter turnout for PS adjoining 51 erstwhile Bangladeshi in Chhit Mahals Enclaves:

Enclave Newly enrolled Electors including Electors of Total Electors AC No. & Name VTR (%) Population Electors Enclaves Who Voted 01 Mekliganj (SC) 898 576 7998 6819 85.27 05 Sitalkhuchi (SC) 3085 1898 13097 10508 80.23 06 Sitai (SC) 2314 1241 5089 3652 71.76 07 Dinhata 8556 5486 14362 11648 81.1 08 Natabari 0 0 2332 2102 90.14 09 Tufanganj 11 8 955 800 83.77 Total 14864 9209 43832 35529 81.06

Voter turnout for PS adjoining erstwhile Indian Enclaves settled Electors Total Newly including Voter AC No. & Name and Name of the of Settlement Electors Population Enrolled Electors of Turnout Polling Station Number Camps who Electors Settlement (%) Voted Camps Mekliganj Block 01 Mekliganj (SC) 85 198 126 1176 1092 92.86 Stettlement Camp Haldibari Block Settlement 01 Mekliganj (SC) 123 479 286 1439 1300 90.34 Camp Dinhata-I Block Settlement 06 Sitai (SC) 172 245 155 999 879 87.99 Camp Total 922 567 3614 3271 90.51 On 5th May, 2016, these new citizens got their first taste of democracy when they voted in West Bengal State Assembly Election 2016.It is just like freedom after 200 years for Asgar Ali, Basanti Shil & others who feel more empowered and included now in participating in election of worlds largest democracy. Three generations of their families lived and died there without an official identity for nearly two centuries. Finally they achieved it, even at the age of 103.

General Elections to 52 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016 Home Registration for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Purba medinipur District We observed a week from 02/11/2015 to 06/11/2015 as hearing and to dispose the case then and there. We are the “District Special Week for Home Registration of the yet to enrol a few left outs but those have already been Person with Disabilities”. EROs and AEROs along with the identified. Supervisor and BLOs directly visited their homes to take Objective spot hearing and to dispose the claim on the same day and also 3620 nos. of PWD electros are identified and The process was initiated to facilitate those persons so accepted for enrolment throughout our district. that they could have avoided from appearing physically before the EROs or AEROs for hearing. Regarding enrolment of the marginalised sectors such as the persons with disabilities, we have collected the data of both enrolled and unenrolled PWD persons polling station and ac wise from the field level source data received by our BLOs during house to house verification at Pre SRER period. We have also collected the 18 above PWD persons data from Social Welfare department. By comparing both the official as well as field level figures we were able to set our ac wise enrolment target which we tried to achieve by dedicating a special week for home registration of such PWD persons. Our EROs and AEROs visited their houses directly to take an on spot Impact Assessment Target for enrolment of unregistered eligible PWD persons was 4253 (as on draft roll).

PWD Registered Eligible PWD PWD Electors Left out PWD Total PWD 18+ PWD as Elector (as on unregistered as enrolled during Electors after Population Population draft roll) Elector SSRER-2016 SSRER-2016 19259 13990 9737 4253 3620 633 Out of this target we have achieved to enrol 3620 PWD persons during this SSRER-2016 period by the initiative of Home Registration which is 85.11%, the rest people will be enrolled during the continuous updation.

UNREGISTERED PWD PERSONS BEFORE SRER vis-a-vis registration during srer 350 322 310 298 298 300 293 278 277 274 264

265 266 254 259 254 254 249 239 243

250 237 236 226 226 222 216 219 218 211 207 203 186 189

200 180

150

100

50

0 c) c) E gra oyna amluk M T ahisadal amnagar Patashpur M R Haldia ( S C handipur N andigram Khejuri ( S Kanthi Uttar N andakumar Bhagabanpur Kanthi Dakshin Panskura Purba Panskura

Panskura Paschim Panskura Unregistered PWD Persons Registered during SRER 2016

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 53 Pratidin 06-05-2016

Bartaman 06-05-2016

ndian Express The I 18-04-2016

Bartaman 06-05-2016

General Elections to 54 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016

chapter

EVM III Experiences

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 57 Under the Indian electioneering system, the use of the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) has become such an accepted reality that its effect on the system and stakeholders can never be over emphasized. Expectedly, the election machinery remains busy with EVM related activities all round the year. For the general elections to the West Bengal Legislative Assembly Elections, 2016, preparations for EVM related works started quite early which heightened gradually as the districts progressed towards poll day.

Availability of EVMs Procurement was made from some 62 locations in Maharashtra, 51 locations in and 12 In West Bengal, during the general elections to the Lok locations in Uttarakhand by the officers of the District Sabha in 2014, Pre-2006 ECIL make EVMs were used for Election Officers.T he EVMs reached the destinations majority of the parliamentary constituencies. So, when through road journeys by first half of December, 2015. this time, Commission allocated Post 2006 ECIL make Ensuring security during the road journeys, passing EVMs for the ensuing general elections to the Legislative through numerous states was a huge challenge, for Assembly, we were left with 83,803 BUs and 87,625 CUs which support and cooperation received from the state which we could not use in the upcoming elections. In administrations of Maharashtra, Chattisgarh, Madhya order to make room for the Post 2006 EVMs, which in Pradesh, Orissa, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Bihar and no way could be accommodated within the existing Jharkhand are deeply acknowledged. Entries in the ETS capacity of the earmarked warehouses in districts, software were entered for EVMs received from those a new warehouse was created using 60,000 square states. feet infrastructure at West Bengal State Warehouse Corporation at Galsi, Burdwan. A huge shifting In districts, EVM activities continue to remain in swing programme was undertaken to bring all Pre-2006 EVMs round the year in view of Commission’s elaborate to the centralized location at Galsi, Burdwan by the end instructions for procurement, maintenance and of November, 2016 so that the newly procured Post 2006 preservation of EVMs, Transport and allocation of EVMs could be stored at respective district warehouses. EVMs require domain knowledge, competence and hard work of personnel who get to be associated with this cell. Accordingly, EVM cells were formed in every district at both district and sub-divisional levels. One Officer of the rank of the Additional District Magistrate was appointed the Nodal Officer of EVM in the district.

Distribution and allocation EVMs were made taking into consideration present availability and requirement of EVMs in the districts. Once the procurement was completed from donor states, physical verification was completed by the District Election Officers in a time bound manner. Database was updated after duly capturing photographs and bar code reading of Commission allocated EVMs from the states of the EVMs. Meanwhile, all warehouses were inspected Maharashtra (80,000 BUs and 61,000 CUs), Uttar Pradesh thoroughly by officers from CEO office including Chief (18,000 BUs and 18,000 CUs) and Uttarakhand (5000 Electoral Officer, Additional CEO, Joint CEOs, Deputy CEOs CUs) for our State of West Bengal in the month of August, and District Election Officers following a standardized 2015. A mapping exercise was undertaken for allocation checklist. With this, all warehouses were brought under of EVMs from the donor districts of Maharashtra, Uttar the standard protocol with regard to safety and security Pradesh and Uttarakhand to the recipient districts of protocol as mandated by the Commission. West Bengal in terms of requirement and availability of EVMs in the State. Transportation agencies were First Level Checking of EVMs: The First Level Checking selected through e-tendering process as mandated was conducted on Post 2006 EVMs at 49 different by the financial guidelines of the State Government. locations across the districts between 16th Nov. 2015

General Elections to 58 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016 and 4th April, 2016. FLC started in the district of South 24 Checking, the checked EVMs were kept in the warehouse Parganas first, depending upon the district availability of under strict security cover. The daily progress of the FLC Post 2006 EVMs. Movement of EVMs from other states was monitored and was uploaded in the CEO’s portal for and its allocation in different districts of the state were evaluation on a day to day basis. intensely coordinated. Power packs and Pink Paper seals First Level Checking being essentially a technical job for sealing of Control Units of EVMs were supplied from was undertaken by a team of ECIL engineers, each the CEO Office.T he Officer-in-charge of the District team comprising 5 engineers in each of the FLC venues. EVM cell, System Manager/Assistant System Manager, Printers, green stickers and paper rolls were provided ground staff engaged for FLC work were suitably trained by the ECIL for authentication of FLC done EVMs and for sufficiently in advance in the districts.T he location and bringing out the sequential print outs. the fitness of the FLC venues had been firmed up in line with the mandates of the Election Commission. First Randomization of EVMs: Randomization, using the NIC software, was used for selection of EVMs FLC Facts for conduct of elections including reserve EVMs. An allocation to the tune of 115% was made for both Ballot • FLC was conducted in 49 venues spreading and Control Units against total EVMs already having across 21 electoral districts in the state. undergone FLC exercise for an assembly constituency • It continued from 16.11.2015 to 4.2.2016 segment. covering 442 FLC days • After FLC, 104706 BUs (135%) and 93990 CUs (121%) were found to have been qualified as okay. The incidence of defects were 1846 (1.7%) in case of BUs and 5318 (5.6%) for CUs.

First Level Checking, which is a full functionality check of EVMs, was carried out in full presence of the Additional District Magistrate who was notified for the purpose by the District Election Officer. Logistics were arranged security parameters were maintained at venues to ensure sanctity of the FLC programme. Transparency measures were fully implemented as well. The entire FLC programme was executed under CCTV coverage, EVMs, having qualified in the FLC exercise and in other than the fact the entire process was videographed. excess of the 115% requirement criterion, were FLC was carried out in presence of the representatives earmarked through randomization for use in training of recognized political parties who supervised the and awareness. Out of total available EVMs, 10% of verification process and the mandatory mock poll.T he both Ballot and Control Units were used for training and awareness purposes, while the rest were kept as mock poll during FLC was reduced to 5% of the total reserve in the eventuality of requirement of second available EVMs. However, the number of votes polled in Ballot Unit due to increased number of candidates. each of mock polled CUs remained 1000. The number A separate randomization exercise was undertaken of votes cast by representatives of political parties in in respect of WBSEC EVMs which were used only for the CUs were reconciled with the accounts of votes training and awareness. First Randomization of EVMs, recorded in the sequential print outs. The lists of BUs which is primarily a software driven randomization, was having undergone FLC exercise in Annexure E were executed in presence of the political parties with the AC handed over to the political parties. After the First Level wise list of randomized EVMs shared with them.

VVPAT Matters Numbers Requirement (For 22 ACs @ 1 AC per district for 5993 Polling Stations) 7,495 Existing State Stock 2,823 Allotment received from the Election Commission 4,839 Total Availability 7,622

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 59 The first randomization ofEVM s was completed by due consultation with the printing press and the ECIL. 26.02.2016. AC wise segregation of EVMs followed with EVMs were stored in Returning Officers’ Strong Rooms proper markings as mandated by the Commission. With under 24X7 armed guard and CCTV coverage. Second EVMs now being segregated Assembly constituency randomization of EVMs was taken up one/two days prior wise, second randomization of EVMs took place when to the preparation of EVMs. This helped in completing contesting candidates were finalized in districts the preparation of EVMs for an assembly constituency after the nomination process. This was followed with on a single day saving time at a time when the election Commissioning of EVMs which was finalized and after machinery in district had to run literally against time.

Poll Day District Assembly Constituency Poll Day Counting Day Poll Day - IA Paschim Medinipur 236 - Medinipur 04.04.2016 19.05.2016 Poll Day - IA Purulia 242 - Purulia 04.04.201.6 1.9.05.2016 Poll Day - IB Bankura 252 - Bankura 11.04.2016 19.05.2016 Poll Day - 2 Alipurduar 12-Alipurduars 17.04.2016 19.05.2016 Poll Day - 2 Jalpaiguri 17- Jalpaiguri (SC) 17.04.2016 19.05.2016 Poll Day - 2 Darjeeling 26-Siliguri 17.04.2016 19.05.2016 Poll Day - 2 Uttar Dinajpur 35-Raiganj 17.04.2016 19.05.2016 Poll Day - 2 Dakshin Dinajpur 39-Balurghat 17.04.2016 19.05.2016 Poll Day - 2 Maida ha 51-Englishbazar 17.04.2016 19.05.2016 Poll Day - 2 Birbhum 285-Suri 17.04.2016 19.05.2016 Poll Day - 3 Murshidabad 64-Murshidabad 21.04.2016 19.05.2016 Poll Day - 3 Nadia 83-Krishnanaga Uttar 21.04.2016 19.05.2016 Poll Day - 3 Kolkata North 162--Chowrangee 2l.04.20J6 19.05.2016 Poll Day - 3 Bardhaman 260-Bardhaman Dakshin 21.04.2016 19.05.201.6 Poll Day - 4 North 24 Parganas I 19-Barasat 25.04.2016 19.05.2016 Poll Day - 4 Howrah 17 .I -Howrah Madhya 25.04.2016 19.05.20] 6 Poll Day - 5 South 24 Parganas 1.50-Jadavpur 29.04.2016 19.05.2016 Poll Day - 5 South 24 Parganas 154-Behala Paschim 29.04.2016 19.05.2016 Poll Day - 5 Kolkata South · t 61-Bal lygunge 29.04.2016 19.05.2016 Poll Day - 5 Hooghly 189-Chandarmagar 29.04.2016 19.05.2016 Poll Day - 6 Coochbehar 4-Coochbehar Dakshin 05.05.2016 19.05.2016 Poll Day - 6 Purba Medinipur 203-Tamluk 05.05.20.16 19.05.2016

General Elections to 60 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016 Status on Distribution of EVMs and VVPATs

(a) No. of EVMs used including VVPAT (b) Reserve EVM including VVPAT poll day Control Units Ballot Units VVPAT Control Units Ballot Units VVPAT POLL DAY 1(a) 4945 4945 576 726 726 98 POLL DAY 1(b) 8465 8465 312 1239 1253 31 POLL DAY 2 13645 13645 1832 2405 2553 182 POLL DAY 3 16461 16461 1076 2212 2288 133 POLL DAY 4 12481 12481 603 2063 2067 86 POLL DAY 5 14642 14642 1232 2421 2421 195 POLL DAY 6 6774 6774 549 1046 1120 116 Total 77413 77413 6180 12112 12428 841

The Commission allocated VVPATs for 22 assembly constituencies in 21 districts of the state. The procurement of VVPATs was made from states such as Mizoram, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Chattisgarh and Maharashtra. Reconditioning of VVPATs was done for 4528 VVPATs, of 181 VVPATs were found defective. First Level Checking of VVPATs commenced from 24.02.2016 and it continued till 12.03.2016. Randomization and Commissioning of VVPATs were taken up in phased manners. Election materials required for functioning of VVPATs such as the Power Packs, Paper Rolls, Plastic Boxes, Operational Manuals and trouble-shooting guidelines were supplied by the ECIL. Use of EVMs on Poll and Counting days Functioning of EVMs on Poll Day is pivotal to successful conduct of the elections. In order to attend to any problem arising due to malfunctioning of EVMs on Poll days, ECIL engineers were deployed in a planned and pre-determined manner while provided with mobility support to move to Polling Stations. The status of replacement of EVMs on Poll days, poll day wise, is reproduced below:

EVMs Replaced on Poll Day CUs Replaced (In Non-VVPat Constituencies) BUs Replaced 38 38 27 27 76 76 38 38 69 69 84 84 10 10

Poll Day 1(a) Poll Day 1(b) Poll Day 2 Poll Day 3 Poll Day 4 Poll Day 5 Poll Day 6

On the day of Counting, there were a few CUs which failed to show results is stated in the following. Commission was moved to publish results in these assembly constituencies.

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 61 District Wise Status of EVMs Replaced CUs Replaced (In Non-VVPat Constituencies) BUs Replaced 7 7 6 6 4 4 25 25 13 13 27 27 13 13 10 10 10 10 12 12 11 11 13 13 14 14 11 11 13 13 47 47 22 22 50 50 11 11 23 23 alda outh N adia M Howrah Bankura Bankura edinipur edinipur Hooghly Birbhum lipurduar Jalpaiguri Darjeeling A oochbehar urshidabad Bardhaman Bardhaman C M Kolkata N orth Kolkata S Uttar Dinajpur Purbo M Purbo Dakshin Dinajpur outh 24-Parganas N orth 24-Parganas S Paschim M Paschim

Incidence of defects 49 venues spanning no less than 81 days, FLC schedule was prepared in consultation with the District Election Defects in EVMs occurred at different stages of Officers and Nodal Officer, ECIL, Kolkata Unit. Though preparation of EVMs starting with First Level Checking, a lot of planning at micro levels went in scheduling preparation of EVM for poll (Candidate Setting), the exercise of First Level Checking programme and Checking by Presiding Officers at the DispersalC entres, preparation of EVMs, there were occasions where Mock Poll before the start of Poll and finally at the stage presence of ECIL engineers were critically short of being of Counting. sufficient.T his state of affairs continued till the stage of Commissioning of EVMs. Activity Moment BUs failed CUs failed FLC 2,160 5,815 Some aspects of EVM management:: Commissioning 1,524 1,625 Recalling Challenges faced Conduct of Poll 2315 2753 • Lifting of 98000 EVMs from three different states Counting 0 22 had been an onerous task requiring a substantial mobilization of officials from districts to supervise Total 5,999 (5.6%) 10,215 (10.3%) collection of EVMs from districts (62 in Maharahtra, 51 in Uttar Pradesh and 12 in Uttarakhand). Availability of EVM related materials and accessories: • Moreover, there were last minute modifications in the venues from which the EVMs were to be collected. Ensuring availability of EVM materials was extremely Adjusting shifting plan due to change in lifting important since delay in procurement could derail the venues and number of EVM units by sender states at preparation of EVMs for conduct of elections right from the last moment posed difficulties to a considerable the stage of the First Level of Checking. In our state, extent. the ECIL is authorized by Commission to supply power packs for EVMs and VVPATs and election materials such • There were some delay in supply of power packs- as paper rolls, plastic boxes and other accessories for for both EVMs and VVPATs by the ECIL. Equally VVPATs. It is true that the ECIL had taken a longer spate significantly, theECIL kept biting officials their of time for supply of power packs and other election fingers till the last moments since supply ofVV PAT materials resulting in some inconveniences at the field materials, including VVPAT manuals was delayed to a level. considerable extent. Availability of Engineers of ECIL • Non availability of accessories like green stickers, printers, ADUs with the ECIL engineers in required Keeping the requirement of 442 FLC days spread across numbers tended to put a drag in the smooth

General Elections to 62 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016 functioning of the system. Thermal Paper rolls EVM activities starting from FLC to counting, the supplied for VVPATs were also objected as poor in responsiveness of the authority of the ECIL leaves terms of quality. room for improvement. The role of Nodal Officer of the state unit needs to be strengthened to a large • As already discussed in the foregoing paragraphs, extent. insufficient numbers of ECIL engineers were deployed for First level Checking, Commissioning and poll day • ECIL needs to make advance planning for works. Moreover, in some a cases, incompetence of deployment of engineers and standardizing the fleet engineers aggravated difficulties at the field level. of engineers. It has been observe that there had been a lot of variation in competence level of engineers. • To avoid hassles of interstate transportation of This often posed difficulties in taking up the work EVMs involving considerable time, engagement of with equal responsiveness at field level. manpower, investment of money and liaisoning with DEOs and police across different states, it is felt that • The power of granting approval for declaration of the inter-state movement of EVMs may be dispensed result in case of malfunctioning of EVMs during with. Additional requirements, whenever necessary, counting, where margin between first two candidates may be replenished through available stock kept as are more than the votes polled in the malfunctioned state reserve. EVM may be delegated to the General Observer of the constituency or the Chief Electoral Officer for • Since the presence of engineers of manufacturers speedy disposal of EVMs is required at almost every stage of

The Hindustan Times 30-04-2016

Bartaman 05-05-2016

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 63

chapter

security IV management

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 65 The bulwark of India’s democratic functioning has ever been free, fair and peaceful elections, ensuring level playing field for all its stakeholders. In context of democratic functioning, free and fair environment indicates not only peaceful Poll in terms of laid down indicators such as number of poll related violence, FIRs lodged and arrests made. Going beyond numbers, it is more about creation of an enabling environment for all the stakeholders so that they can register their voice as much as they can make a free choice. It is ensuring a situation where the electors are free from any undue influence and fear, and are confident to reap the benefits of the largest democratic system called elections.

In West Bengal, the fourth populous state in the country, Coping with the challenges of creating a conducive the challenge is daunting with 657 lakhs of electors environment, the multi-layered strategy that was in exercising democratic choice in 77247 polling stations place had following pillars: over 7 Poll days spread across 63 active election days. • Preventive actions to reduce incidence of law and The state has witnessed new political polarizations order violations; leading to fierce political mobilization at all fronts. A • Massive Outreach and Confidence Building Measures comparative study of number of Poll days in West Bengal (CBMs) to instill confidence of all stakeholders; with other states is indicative of challenges to be faced: • Blanket Security cover in all phases of election; and State/Union Number of Number of • Extensive communication initiatives to build Territory ACs Poll Days confidence among the voters; Puducherry 30 1 Assam 126 2 Kerala 140 1 Tamil Nadu 234 1 West Bengal 294 7

The Election Commission had issued detailed step-by- step instructions to manage law and order in states during conduct of elections. The steps Commission envisaged are multilayered with the goal of zeroing on all criminal elements of the society who can jeopardize the election process. It is also designed to control and contain political parties and candidates from breaking The Statesman free of the laws and rules governing the election process. 30-03-2016

A comparative analysis of successive general elections in the matter of application of preventive sections of law is revealing

cases under preventive sections of law 177 232 618 659 711 1047 1095 1483 1512 1724 1961 1971 2013 2327 2933 3217 3650 4459 4607 5137 6828 alda outh M N adia Purulia Howrah Bankura edinipur edinipur Hooghly Birbhum Burdwan lipurduar Jalpaiguri Darjeeling A oochbehar urshidabad outh 24 Pgs C N orth 24 Pgs S M Kolkata N orth Kolkata S Uttar Dinajpur Purbo M Purbo Dakshin Dinajpur Paschim M Paschim

General Elections to 66 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016 Preventive Measures Prosecution under 107/110 Cr. PC to Prevent Breach of Peace & Binding Under 116 Cr. PC. Police Station-wise lists of persons having records of electoral offences were prepared. Lists of other Criminals and habitual offenders were also prepared.T hey were bound down under relevant provisions of the Criminal Procedure Code, 1973:

No. of Cases put up under preventive sections of Cr PC 48361 No. of persons bound down under preventive sections of Cr. Pc 78172

number of persons bound down under preventive sections 547 630 668 1030 1448 1682 1910 2110 2110 2124 2265 2352 3178 3693 3775 3997 4139 4529 5234 6748 24003 a ar an pg s pg s jpu r jpu r a b d na d ia ai gu ri 24 24 24 24 d mal pu r u lia b ir bhu m h o w ra h b an ku ra h oo gh ly bu r dw ar j eelin g ata so u t h ata ata nort h ata j al p d ali pu r du hb e h ar cooc so u t h nort h m u rs h i d ol k ol k k k ttar d ina u ttar in d ina a k s h in o me d ini pu r pu r b o d im me d ini pu r asc h im p

A comparative analysis of successive general elections in the matter of application of preventive sections of law is revealing:

200000 The C.Ps and S.Ps periodically submitted their 180000 explanations before the SNPO for each pending case. 160000 The Commission made a thorough enquiry about the 140000 progress of execution of NBWs on a day to day basis. 120000 Moreover, the potential trouble mongers, freed on bail, 100000 were tracked and their movements monitored. 80000 60000 40000 20000 0 WBLA 2011 WBLA 2014 WBLA 2016 Cr PC Cases lodged number of trouble mongers bound down

Non Bail able Warrants: Execution of Non- Bailable warrants, binding down history-sheeters, potential trouble-mongers by applying relevant Cr PC Acts, especially U/S 107, 109 & 110, were major tools to tame the antisocial elements. The pending cases were categorized in two segments, pending for more than six months and pending for less than six months.

Execution Non-Bailable warrants ( As on 20.05.2016) Executed 135566 Pending 12507

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 67 Disposal of NBWs (From 1.12.2015 to 20.05.2016) South 24 Parganas

Uttar Dinajpur

Coochbehar

Asl DGP PC

Burdwan

Howrah Rural

Malda

Alipurduar

Dakshin Dinajpur

Purulia

Barrackpore PC

Jalpaiguri

Jhargram Police District

0 2000 4000 6000 8000 10000 12000 14000 16000

Arms/Explosives Seizure Seizure of arms, ammunitions, bombs, explosives, Special drives were launched to unearth and seize weapons etc were intensified. All the Commissioners unlicensed arms and ammunition. A very thorough and Superintendents of Police submitted daily search and seizure by Police of unlicensed arms and places of indigenous manufacture of arms and reports of seizure and the progress was scrupulously ammunition was carried out and persons involved were monitored by the State Level authorities every day. arrested. While unearthing and seizure of unlicensed Seizures of illicit liquor and fake currency were weapons was a normal ongoing responsibility of the escalated throughout the state. Joint raids with the police, it was vigorously intensified during the election Excise Departments were conducted almost every period. Inter-state and intra-State movements of trucks day in the districts. and commercial vehicles were strictly checked with a view to preventing smuggling of arms and ammunition and anti-social elements. Raids were carried out regularly Unlicensed Arms/Explosives Seized and intensively on underground arms factories. Arms / Weapons (in No.) 2044 Explosives (in KGs) 767.85 Cartridges 2891 Bombs (in No.) 8425

Licensed Arms Deposit & Issuance of Fresh Arms License: District Magistrates & Superintendent of Police forming a screening Committee made a detailed and individual review and assessment (in accordance with the prevalent State laws) of all license holders so that licensed arms in those cases where they considered it essential were impounded in order to ensure maintenance of law and order so essential for ensuring free and fair elections. These arms were deposited with the district authorities. Following were the categories which came under review: The Statesman (a) arms licenses of persons released on bail, 25-03-2016

General Elections to 68 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016 District wise seizure of small arms Barrackpore PC

South 24 Parganas

Burdwan

Birbhum

Asl DGP PC

Paschim Medinipur

Howrah PC

Purba Medinipur

Siliguri PC

Jalpaiguri

Coochbehar

Jhargram Police District

Darjeeling

0 50 100 150 200 250

(b) arms licenses of persons having a history of criminal Licensed Arms Offences, and, Deposited 38895 (c) Arms licenses of persons previously involved in Impounded 6768 rioting at any time but especially during the election Cancelled period. 547 After such review, all such license-holders who were Issuance of license for arms was totally prohibited during identified were directed to deposit their arms with the the period commencing with the date of announcement District Administration during the period of one week of elections. This ban continued to be operative till the from the last date for withdrawal of candidatures. completion of the election as notified.

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 69 Pratidin 29-03-2016

Issuance of 144 Cr. PC Regarding Ban on Carrying of Fire Arms Prohibitory orders under section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 was issued by the District Magistrate banning carrying of licensed arms as soon as an election was announced and it remained effective till the declaration of results. Issuance of 144 Cr. PC Regarding Ban on Unlawful Assembly Section 144 under the Criminal Procedure Code was invoked by the District Magistrates, following precedent was declared and notified under relevant state laws for of previous general elections. It remained operative P-2 the stipulated period for the poll areas. The day on which day to P+1 day and again on Counting Day. counting of votes was to be taken up, was also declared ‘Dry Day’. A total of 40,55,620 litres of illicit liquor were Excise Activities seized by the Flying Squads and Static Surveillance Special drives were launched to unearth illicit liquor teams together. making factories and information about seizures made available to the concerned District Election Officer and 40,000 38,198 38,895 Returning Officer fortnightly who in turn forwarded it to 40,000 34,675 the Commission. All restrictions provided in excise law 35,000 on the storage of liquor in unlicensed premises were 30,000 vigorously enforced. Section 135C of Representation 25,000 of People’s Act, 1951 provides that no spirituous, 20,000 fermented or intoxicating liquors or other substances of 15,000 10,000 6,768 like nature shall be sold, given or distributed at a hotel, 3,695 3,256 5,000 eating house, tavern, shop or any other place, private 0 or public, within a polling area during the period of 48 2011 2014 2016 hours ending with the hour fixed for conclusion of poll Deposited impounded for any election in the polling area. Therefore ‘Dry Day’

Liquior Seized Cash Seized No. Of (In Ltr.) Other Items (In Kg) Including Opium, Constituency Drugs, Pshychotropic Substance Etc FS SST FS/ SST/ EXCISE 294 1,88,96,679 5,91,08,341 40,55,620.37 52,216 Expenditure Related FIR Fir Registered For Excise Law Arrests For Bribe/Gratification Registered Violation FS SST OTHER POLICE FS SST OTHER POLICE FS SST OTHER POLICE 232 67 82 7 12 65 13 0 12426

General Elections to 70 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016 Vulnerability Mapping Number of the hamlets identified as 17341 The full bench of the Commission made its first visit as vulnerable early as December, 2015. Inside the Summary Revision Number of the persons identified as 16428 programme with final publication of electoral rolls probable source of trouble slated on 5th January, 2016, the Commission laid a lot of Of Persons identified as vulnerable, 16375 stress on preparation of error-free electoral rolls. Yet the preventive action taken against Commission set its priorities straight declaring that the goal of the Commission had always been conducting In assessing vulnerability, a number of free, fair, transparent and participative elections. The indicators were factored in Commission mandated all officials, related to conduct of elections, to function with full objectivity and neutrality • Intimidation to Voters and create an atmosphere where all voters could cast • Threat on the basis of caste, religion or political votes freely without influence and intimidation. identity To conduct free and fair elections, the Election • Histories of Political clashes and tension Commission of India focused on a three-pronged • Margins of previous elections strategy involving intensive preventive actions from the very day of announcement of the poll, extensive outreach • Worry Lists and Complaints from political parties through communication initiatives to build confidence While voters who felt vulnerable were identified, amongst the voters and ensure blanket security cover persons who caused vulnerability were also identified. during a six-phase (even poll days) election. Preventive measures were clamped on them so that As a part of vulnerability mitigation strategy, CAPF was vulnerability in scale is diminished. called upon much prior to poll-days for area domination and route march. This was also a major demand from Persons Idenfied asT rouble Mongers some major political Parties. Six phases of elections were planned in such a way that deployment of maximum 18000 16428 number of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) could 16000 13617 be ensured and also the seamless movement of CAPF 14000 12904 from one phase to another could be materialized. The 12000 mapping exercise was conducted in each AC/polling 10000 station level involving local police, BDOs and sector 80000 officers of both civil and police administration. Factors 6000 of probable threat on the basis of caste, religion or 4000 political identity were considered. Areas having histories 2000 0 of Political clashes and tension were also identified as 2011 2014 2016 vulnerable.

Vulnerable Hamlets 2500 82 84 103 140 149 157 180 307 322 504 557 588 640 644 669 685 706 825 834 981 1008 1113 1197 1220 1289 2357 2000

1500

1000

500

0 KP alda M N adia Purulia Bankura edinipur edinipur Hooghly Birbhum Burdwan lipurduar Jalpaiguri S iliguri P C sl. DGP P C sl. Darjeeling A oochbehar Howrah P C Howrah urshidabad A C M Howrah R ural Howrah Uttar Dinajpur Barrackpore P C Bidhannagar P C Purba M Purba Dakshin Dinajpur outh 24 Parganas N orth 24 Parganas S Paschim M Paschim Jhargram Police District Police Jhargram

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 71 Vulnerability Profile 2500 73 83 112 148 173 176 237 277 404 416 420 513 517 574 590 590 618 667 738 780 819 859 1599 1599 1713 1720 2000

1500

1000

500

0 alda N adia M Purulia Bankura edinipur edinipur Hooghly Birbhum Burdwan lipurduar Jalpaiguri S iliguri P C sl. DGP P C sl. Darjeeling A oochbehar Howrah P C Howrah urshidabad A C M Howrah R ural Howrah Kolkata Police Uttar Dinajpur Barrackpore P C Jhargram Police Jhargram Bidhannagar P C Purba M Purba Dakshin Dinajpur outh 24 Parganas N orth 24 Parganas S Paschim M Paschim No. of the persons identified as probable source of trouble No. of Vulnerable persons of which action taken

After the mapping, repeated Route Marches in the identified vulnerable hamlets were identified. Moreover, vulnerable voters were interacted face to face by Senior Officers of Civil & Police along with CAPF to infuse confidence among them. Contact numbers of the officials were shared with these electors for facilitating two way communications. Assessment of vulnerability and its mitigation by application of well-defined strategies became a top-most priority. Senior officers led by the District Election Officers, Commissioners and Superintendents of Police and Commanding Officers of CAPF roamed across village paths and streets, interacted with villagers, talked at length with some of them and boosted voters’ confidence. percolate to each household of a vulnerable habitation; In one sense, this would appear usual drills of a standard the officials must interact with the voters to sense if they vulnerability mapping exercise yet the scale and suffered from any confidence deficit.T he vulnerability magnitude with which these exercises were taken were mapping exercise was further video graphed and floated unprecedented. Commission mandated that it were on district websites to infuse a sense of confidence in not enough for officials to visit the vulnerable areas voters other than making the entire exercise transparent and increase visibility, but the show of strength must before the voters.

General Elections to 72 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016 Incisive Monitoring and Supervision The macro-interventions, as detailed above, were meant to make a dent in general perceptions of threat and intimidation wherever they existed, all law and order activities were part of a rigorous supervision. List of Vulnerable Hamlets PS AC No. PS No. Name of Poling Station Vulnerable Hamlets Nabajiban Colony Mokshada Sundari Balika Vidyamandir, Airport 110 81 Nabajiban Colony (1) Room No -1

List of Vulnerable Persons Name of Poling Vulnerable Name of vulnerable Persons with ontact PS AC No. PS No. Station Hamlets No. Nabajiban 1.Ganesh Roy S/o-Lt. Narendranath Roy of Colony Nabajibon Colony, PO-Bisharpara, PS-Airport, Mokshada Nabajiban Kol-158 Ph-9748106735 + 02 Person 2. Asit Airport 110 81 Sundari Balika Colony (1) Das S/o-Lt. Chittaranjan Das of nabajibon Vidyamandir, Colony, PO-Bisharpara, Kol-158, PS-Airport Ph- Room No -1 9836621584 + 03 Persons

List of Intimidators Whether preventive if yes, u/s Whether bail has been granted PS Name of the person measures have been 107/109/110/ after production on execution taken or not: Yes/No Others: of NBW or not: Yes/No Rabin Mondal S/O Lt. Madan PR No. 05/16 dt. EC PS Mondal of Mahishbathan, Yes 10.01.2016 U/S N/A PS-EC, Kol.-102 107 Cr.PC

Format for Monitoring Route March by CAPF Type of Actual No of Total Place of Route March force force Deployed Police Distance Time deployed (report by section Remarks Station Covered (CAPF/ mentioning coy (in K.M.) From To BSF etc) and bn.) Vidyasagar PNB More, Island, Salt Lake Vidyadhari Gate No. 4, Salt School, Hariyana BDN 16.00 hrs Lake 4 No. Gate Vidyamandir, Coy 701 of 59 Bn. Situation North to 18.20 AA Khalper to 7 km SSB Salt Lake 1 SSB Peaceful PS hrs AB-AC cut out. No. Gate, BB P & T Quarter -BC Park, City CE Block Prouro Centre-1 Bhawan

Name of PS Month FIR /Case No Date Under Section Rajarhat FEBRUARY 34 07.02.15 46 (AA) W.B.E Act Airport MARCH 69 22.03.15 46 E Act

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 73 Number of Election Offences registered in the last Parliamentary Elections in the AC area Date of lodging and case no. Status of the Cases AC covered Baguiati PS Case No. 150 Dt. 23.03.14 The case ended in CS No. 209 dt. 10.04.2014 u/s 117 341/323/ 427/ 506/34 IPC 341/ 323/ 427/ 506/ 34 IPC

Number of Election Offences registered in the last Assembly Election in the AC area Baguiati January 107 30.01.16 46A W.B Excise Act. BDN South January 18 30.01.2016 46(A) B.E. Act.

List of Pending NBW Warrants Name and address EPIC No. of Cause of PS Case Reference Action Taken of Warrantees Warrantee Pendency Aftar @ Aktar BDN (East ) PS Case no The process of W & Not available, Ali c/o Subratha 42 dated 09.05.06,u/s PA is completed on BDN (N) PS Not found since last 8 Chakraborty of CB 325/326/307 /302 IPC , 05.04.10. Raids are years 56 Salt Lake Kol- 64 GR- 201/ 96, TR- 75/07. being done.

Status of deposit of Arms licenses Arms Deposited in c/w WBLA-2016 rms rms .S omm. rms rms otal otal A T given given given given rms Dealer t the P T this C N ame of P S

otal A otal A A rms Dealer mmunition otal prayer otal prayer ommissionerate ommissionerate T T exemption exemption t A Deposited / Deposited T A deposit due A C submitted for for submitted icense under this L icense t a Glance A t a Glance otal Weapons under otal Weapons A T exemption order order exemption exemption order order exemption A Deposited at P S / at Deposited Bidhannagar 86 93 54 18 20 19 91 2 160 North P.S

PS wise Locations for Naka Checking Name of PS No. of Naka Place of deployment Border with Naka-1 Salt Lake Gate No. 1 Kolkata Police Naka-2 Salt Lake Gate No. 2 Kolkata Police Bidhannagar North PS Naka-3 Salt Lake Gate No. 4 Kolkata Police Naka-4 Bengal Chemical Kolkata Police

With interventions like these put under a constant vigil Coordination and Communication Strategy and monitoring, vulnerability was scaled down across • Joint Monitoring Cell comprising of CAPF and district the board. In the latter stages, vulnerability Mapping administrations were set up for each ACs during was made dynamic in nature. In some areas the the polling days. The objective was to watch the numbers of vulnerable hamlets were reduced due to the law & order situation and prompt deployment of strong intervention through CAPF route march though central force whenever required. This effort ensured there were some areas where it was increased due to minimization of incidents during the polling phases. fresh political threats etc. The analytical supervision • Accordingly a communication plan was made for by authorities made this a unique and logical step in different level of election authority such as DEO creating the proper ambience for a free and fair elections. level, Polling Station level and RO level comprising

General Elections to 74 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016 of name of contact person, designation, phone no., mobile no., fax no., email etc. • Coordination had also been made with the police department of neighboring states such as Jharkhand, Bihar, and Odisha, Assam to check criminal intrusion, importing of illegal arms, ammunitions, explosives etc. from the neighbor states. Inter-state borders were sealed on the days of Poll to prevent any interruption from the criminals resorting at other states.

consideration a number of criticality factors of which vulnerability is one. Other factors which influence a Polling Station to be critical are many, as prescribed by the Commission. We mention a few of them: • PS affected by LWE activity, • Rivalry between political parties, • High Political sensitivity, • Pronounced presence of Criminals, • Communal and Caste based tensions, • >80% polling in last AC/PC election, > 75% votes bagged by a single candidate in last general elections, • History of re-poll, Criticality Assessment of Polling Stations • History of poll violence in last General Elections Minute study of criticality had helped designing Strategic use of CAPF strategy for deploying force as well as taking other non- CAPF measures like deployment of Micro Observers, The role of the security forces started much before poll installation of CCTV, Web Casting etc. to ensure free and day and ends only after the declaration of the results with fair conduct of poll. counting of votes. Some of the significant pre-poll, poll day and post-poll CAPF activities could be categorized Critical Polling Stations were identified taking into reproduced in the following.

Phase wise CAPF Deployment (in Coys)

900

800

700 828 600 722 684.39 681 500

400 387 361 300 359 200

100

0 Phase 1(a) Phase 1(b) Phase 2 Phase 3 Phase 4 Phase 5 Phase 6

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 75 Scale of Deployment of CAPF at Non LWE Scale of Deployment of CAPF at Non LWE areas (In Sec) areas (In Sec)

Phase 1 Elections Phase 2 Elections 3 3 3.0 3.0 2.5 2.5

2 2 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1 1 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5

0 0 Q RT Q RT oom obile oom ector S . M R . T 1B Premise 2B Premise 3B Premise 4B Premise 5B Premise 6B Premise 7B Premise 8B Premise 9B Premise 1B Premise 2B Premise 3B Premise 4B Premise 5B Premise 6B Premise 7B Premise 8B Premise 9B Premise trong R trong 10B Premise 11B Premise trong R trong 10B Premise 11B Premise S S

Scale of Deployment of CAPF (In Sec) Place and Scale of Deployment of CAPF

Phase 3 Elections 4.0 Phase 4 Elections 3 4 3.0 3.5 2.5 3.0 3.0 3.0 3.0 3 2 2.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 2.0 2.0 1.5 2 1.5 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.5 1 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0 0 SST Q RT Q RT oom oom obile N aka obile ector N aka quad ector H R F S S S S pecial . M . M R . T 1B Premise 2B Premise 3B Premise 4B Premise 5B Premise 6B Premise 7B Premise 8B Premise 9B Premise R . T 1B Premise 2B Premise 3B Premise 4B Premise 5B Premise 6B Premise 7B Premise 8B Premise 9B Premise trong R trong 10B Premise 11B Premise trong R trong 10B Premise 11B Premise iverine Patrol iverine S Flying S Flying iverine Patrol iverine S R R

Place and Scale of Deployment of CAPF Place and Scale of Deployment of CAPF

Phase 5 Elections Phase 6 Elections 3 3 3.0 3.0 2.5 2.5

2.0 2.0 2 2 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1 1 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5

0 0 SST Q RT Q RT oom oom obile N aka quad ector ectors S . M R . T 1B Premise 2B Premise 3B Premise 4B Premise 5B Premise 6B Premise 7B Premise 8B Premise 9B Premise 1B Premise 2B Premise 3B Premise 4B Premise 5B Premise 6B Premise 7B Premise 8B Premise 9B Premise trong R trong R trong 10B Premise 11B Premise 10B Premise 11B Premise Flying S Flying iverine Patrol iverine S S ritical S R C

General Elections to 76 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016 • Pre-poll CAPF activities were associated with area domination, flag marches as well as extensive Scale of Deployment in LWE Districts patrolling, interaction with local population and ( in Sections) 3.5 other confidence building measures besides curbing political tensions and clashes. 3

• Poll day activities were included guarding of 100% 2.5 of polling stations, polling material and on duty poll 2 personnel, besides patrolling. 1.5 • Post-poll day activity was associated with guarding of polled EVMs at strong rooms and cooperate the 1

district administrations to curb post poll violence. 0.5

Scale of deployment of Central Armed Police Forces 0 varied in LWE and Non LWE districts depending, further, category a category B category C upon its deployment in Polling Stations and general law and order duty.

Scale of CAPF Deployment in Non LWE areas ( in Sections) 3.5

3

2.5

2

1.5

1

0.5

0 1 PS 1 PS 1 PS 1 PS 1 PS 1 PS 1 PS 1 PS 1 PS 1 PS 1 PS 1 PS Premise Premise Premise Premise Premise Premise Premise Premise Premise Premise Premise Premise

Scale of Deployment of CAPF in duly other than Polling Station in LWE areas ( in sections) Static Surveillance Team

Flying Squad

ROP

QRT

Sector

RT 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5

Scale of Deployment of CAPF on duty other than Polling Station in Non-LWE districts ( in sections)

Flying Squad

QRT

Sector

RT 0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 77 The intent of application of force was enhancing the visible presence of CAPF. The vehicle for movement of CAPF was suitably decorated with images displaying its status, thus making its presence felt.

Non-CAPF measures: Though CAPF was deployed strategically in all Polling stations in varying scale depending upon depth of threat perceptions and sensitivity analysis made by District Election Officers, non-CAPF measures were equally conspicuous in its presence taking into consideration criticality factors outlined above. These are the force multipliers enhancing deterrence value against disruptive and anti-social elements in the neighborhood of Polling Stations. All critical Polling Stations in the state were covered with at least one non-CAPF measure. At the cost of re- iteration, it is noted that Non-CAPF measures included micro-observers, web-casting, digital camera, video-camera, CCTV and state-based innovation we called, Live Monitoring of Sensitive Areas (LMSA). The spread of force-multiplying non CAPF measures on different Poll days is captured below:

Critical Polling Stations 5000 4000 3000 2000 1000 0 UD alda outh N adia M Purulia Howrah Bankura edinipur edinipur Hooghly Birbhum Burdwan lipurduar Jalpaiguri Darjeeling A oochbehar urshidabad outh 24 Pgs C N orth 24 Pgs S M Kolkata N orth Kolkata S Purbo M Purbo Dakshin Dinajpur Paschim M Paschim

Web Casting 600

400

200

0 6th Poll 1A Poll 1B Poll 2nd Poll 4th Poll 3rd Poll 5th Poll Day Day Day Day Day Day Day

General Elections to 78 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016 Coverage of Polling Stations with Digital and Video Camera

832 1463 1644 1652 1700 680 682 28 120 179 179 185 209 239 253 257 266 303 532 632 672 alda outh N adia M Purulia Howah Bankura edinipur edinipur Hooghly Birbhum Burdwan lipurduar Jalpaiguri Darjeeling A oochbehar urshidabad outh 24 Pgs C olkata S N orth 24 Pgs S M Kolkata N orth Uttar Dinajpur M Purbo M Purbo Dakshin Dinajpur Paschim M Paschim

Vehicles deployed for Live Monitoring of sensitive areas

60 50 40 30 20 10 0 alda outh N adia M Purulia N owrah Bankura edinipur edinipur Hooghly Birbhum Burdwan lipurduar Jalpaiguri Darjeeling A oochbehar urshidabad outh 24 Pgs C S M N orth 24 Pgs Kolkata N orth Kolkata S Uttar Dinajpur Purbo M Purbo Dakshin Dinajpur Paschim M Paschim

Deployment of Micro Observers

2500

2000

1500

1000

500

0 alda outh N adia M Purulia Howrah Bankura edinipur edinipur Hooghly Birbhum Burdwan lipurduar Jalpaiguri Darjeeling A oochbehar urshidabad outh 24 pgs C N orth 24 Pgs S M Kolkata N orth Kolkata S Uttar Dinajpur Purbo M Purbo Dakshin Dinajpur Paschim M Paschim

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 79 Outcome Analysis The outcome of interventions made in the run up to elections for ensuring comprehensive security management is visible in the table below:

Interruption or obstruction Any incident of Incidents of Poll Poll related Poll Day Arrests of Poll due to riots, open booth capturing Boycott death violence etc. or poll vitiation Poll Day 1(a) 0 0 0 0 0 Poll Day 1(b) 0 0 0 0 0 Poll Day 2 7 0 9 0 0 Poll Day 3 0 0 184 0 0 Poll Day 4 0 0 0 0 0 Poll Day 5 0 0 0 0 0 Poll Day 6 0 0 0 0 0

It is evident that there were only seven instances of Poll and sensitivity with the objective to monitor all activities Boycott mainly concentrated in Poll Day 2. There had relating to force deployment, law and order situation and been no instances of Poll related death. The number to co-ordinate between civil and Police administration of arrests made come to 184 which were primarily to ensure free and fair election. Notwithstanding, preventive in nature. On the other hand there had been based on the degree of vulnerability the Commission no instances reported about interruption or obstruction deployed Additional Police Observer in the districts such of Poll process due to violence, riots or any such as Murshidabad, North 24 Parganas, Hooghly, Howrah, untoward reasons. There had also been no incident of South 24 Parganas, Kolkata South, Purbo Medinipur. booth capturing or vitiation of poll process. Special Initiatives undertaken as per Commission’s instructions In addition to day time security arrangements the Election Commission also arranged for night interventions in some vulnerable pockets to minimise the criminal interference during the night time. Night interventions measures were included NAKA checking, night patrolling and Riverine Patrolling in districts like Howrah, North 24 Parganas were also conducted.

In the Maoist-hit areas of West Benga,l the Election Commission had put in place additional security ‘Futisanko’ the tri-junction area where roads from measures to ensure a "free and fair" poll process. of Birbhum, Burdwan and Murshidabad meet was Arrangements of Helicopter and Air Ambulance were declared a sensitive zone. Due attention was given, as made for LWE districts such as Paschim Medinipur, mandated by the Commission, to sanitize the area by Bankura and Purulia. Two helicopters were stationed way of enforcing seizure and recovery of illegal arms, at Kalaikunda air base and conducted sorties in those ammunitions, bombs and explosives and execution of areas. Arrangements were also made for air ambulance NBWs. Notwithstanding, IP-based CCTV cameras were to respond quickly against any incident. Sorties of installed to cover and monitor suspicious movements helicopters in the remote areas amplified the confidence of vehicles and persons through the crossing. Control level of voters and arrangement of air-ambulance boost rooms at the Sub-division and District level of were up the confidence of central force. set up in all 0three districts to analyse live streaming The Commission deployed IPS officers as Police and give necessary direction to nearest NAKA point to observers at district level depending upon the need intercept the suspected vehicles or persons.

General Elections to 80 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016 A note on law & order initiative at FUTISHANKO the tri-junction confluence of Burdwan, Murshidabad and Birbhum Districts Election and law and order are co-related. Law & order is the pivot of the election machinery. Naturally, it poses a great challenge to administration whenever we come to conduct elections, in an atmosphere that is surcharged with fierce political competitiveness. Particularly so, when elections are held in Assembly Constituencies that overlaped with more than one district. Elections are more often held on different Poll Days.T he criminal elements an opportunist sections of the society sneaking to raise their ugly heads for unlawful gain by various tactics and underhand activities. The cross district borders surreptitiously in broad daylight or in groups or under cover of darkness at night. The challenges, therefore are many and intense for administration to deal with them squarely in order to ensure free, fair and peaceful election.

Futishanko Crossing falls under 271-Ketugram Assembly Constituency which went to poll on 21st April, 2016. It is under the local administrative control of Ketugram-I Development Block of Bardhaman District. The Futishanko Crossing is at tri-junction point of Bardhaman, Birbhum and Murshidabad Districts. The western side of this crossing is Birbhum district while the Murshidabad district is on its northern side. The bordering areas of these districts are infested with nefarious elements. In fact, the criminal activities in the adjoining areas are so high that there is always a possibility of a law and order disturbance snowballing into a big crisis.

Considering the prevailence of criminality in the areas, the District Magistrates and Superintendents of Police of the adjoining districts frequented the tri-junction point with Sub-Divisional and Block Development Officers, Officer-in-Charge and Inspectors of Police for a detailed and clinical examination. After rounds of inspection, it was decided to install CCTVs at the junction of four-point road for 24X7 constant surveillance of men and vehicles. A police camp was set up round the clock comprising the skilled police personnel of Ketugram-I Police Station. Monitors of CCTVs were installed in the offices of Police Stations, offices of the Sub-Divisional Officers, Block Development Officers in order to bring all activities at the tri-junction point under its gaze.

The Additional Chief Election Officer, West Bengal visited Futishanko on 22nd March, 2016. He presided over a meeting at Ketugram-I Development Block Office with all officials ofCivil and Police administration. With strategies of closer monitoring with further clamping of law and order measures sanitized the area from anti-social and criminal elements resulting in an ambience of free, fair and participative election.

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 81 chapter

public grievance redressal management: V samadhan

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 83 Management of Complaints is vital for any delivery mechanism, more so during the testing times of elections. The volume and complexity of issues involved is large. Equally pressing is the need to redress grievance in a defined time-frame, and inform the complainant the status of the complaint. During every general elections, complaint management is traditionally poised to become one of primary concerns of the election managers across the state. Preparations, therefore, for making a robust complaint management system commenced quite early.

Lessons of the General Lok Sabha citizens, maintaining a high standard of transparency. Elections, 2014 The planning was already in pipeline through a number of brainstorming sessions in this office.T he Commission The general elections to the Lok Sabha, held two years was apprised of the concerns and challenges. back, witnessed a surge of complaints starting from the announcement of elections till the completion of Introducing SAMADHAN elections. From the third Poll day onwards, it witnessed The year 2015 was important for planning and the new phenomenon of post-poll complaints received experimentation of software applications for resolving from the ECI entailing a sustained response mechanism many issues including complaints. SAMADHAN software till the election process was finally over.O ther than the was developed and successfully implemented by the fact that the system had to be stretched over six long Chief Electoral Officer, Bihar during the General Elections phases to cope with complaints in its bewildering to the Bihar Assembly sometime in the year 2015. variety, the sheer number of complaints received in all Encouraged with its success, the Commission approved phases, including the complaints in districts, were mind- use of SAMADHAN application for replication in all poll boggling. The number of complaints received in CEO bound states including West Bengal. However, it was still Office were 5040, of which Pre-Poll, Poll Day and Post an onerous task to make necessary customizations in Poll complaints were respectively 1224, 2556 and 1290. the software to make it attuned to the precise needs of Our experiences of the last General Elections showned our state. up a number of features about complaints during elections: Charting Objectives of Public Grievance Redressal Mechanism a) multiple sources of complaints; The objectives and the strategies to fulfil these objectives b) multiple nature of complaints; were required to be set before going for the task of c) multiple mode of lodging of complaints; customisations. It was decided to start the journey of the d) multiple respondents of complaints; new initiative with a zero pending status of complaints. However, some brainstorming sessions with some e) same complaints registered from multiple sources; experienced DEOs, in presence of the CEO Officials and f) Flow of the complaint redressal system starting agency personnel (software developers) were arranged from lodging to addressing and the need to finally at State Level and all possibilities, benefits, existing intimate the complainant with the status of dispute; bottlenecks and necessities were discussed in detail. g) time management and fixing responsibility in each The existing planning to set an Integrated Complaint tier of complaint management system; Management System was successfully synchronised with SAMADHAN to ensure realising following objectives: In all the preceding general elections, thousands of complaints were required to be managed in face of – an integrated platform for issues from all possible sources the obligation of informing the complainant in time. As a result, there were always possibilities of missing – Down the line forwarding of complaints and complaints, left out issues, inadequate handling monitoring facility of ATR of documents related to ATRs, confusion over the – a user friendly IT intervention for all common citizen responding and responsible authority for redressal. – time bound disposal A pressing need was, therefore, felt to bring these – Fixing responsibility of respondent challenges to be met on a single platform for effective and timely response. Yet, at the same time, the – automatic disclosure of ATRs for complaints lodged integration had to be simple and user friendly to all on line

General Elections to 84 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016 – Generation of reports comprising all possible and mobile apps formats. It thus, helped citizens parameters and weekly analysis of pending status access the application on a relatively wider scale. through V.C The mobile application was customized with same options and facilities of web version. Making Relevant Customization in • With option to select multiple district for any SAMADHAN software particular issue, a special provision was included to On the basis of strategies like these, following lodge a complaint at ‘State Level’ . This was found customizations were made in the system: effective for complaints with general nature and not related to any particular districts. • The Returning Officers, District Election Officers, C.Ps and S.Ps were to play a pivotal role in the The Standard Operating Procedure of management of complaints during periods of elections in districts levels. Accordingly, provisions SAMADHAN were made available to all of them for receiving a definite time-frame was prescribed for disposal complaints, either directly or forwarded, and of complaints received through the online format. uploading ATRs. Provisions were made to enable Normally, before the date of announcement of CEO / DEOs to forward a complaint to more than one elections, the complaints were to be disposed as per officer simultaneously time and upload final ATR on following schedule: the basis of reports received from all concerned. Complaints received from ECI 24 hours • Important modifications were made for the Citizen to select the authority before whom one could Complaints received from Political Parties 48 hours lodge relevant complaints. Specific option was also Complaints received from Citizens 72 hours provided to fix the disposal authority for any specific complaint. From the date of Announcement of Elections All Complaints from all sources were to be • Separate arrangement was provided to mention the 24 hours details of FIR lodged and arrest made in connection reached within to any action taken by the responding authority. • On Poll days, all complaints were mandatorily • In case of same complaints, which already had been resolved and reported within a span of 1 to 2 hours received from a source and received simultaneously depending upon the gravity of the complaint. from the ECI, an option to Flag (as "ECI") the • The standard procedure was such that at each stage complaint at CEO's level was provided. Accordingly of complaint disposal, the disposing and reporting at DEO's level, options for flagging as CEO" " & "ECI" authorities were earmarked. For all complaints were added. The objective was to avoid/ minimize received from the ECI, the Chief Electoral Officer, multiple counting and multiple handling of an West Bengal was the disposing authority while DEOs identical issue. were the reporting authorities. DEOs made such • Two sets of user ID and Password were created, one, complaints enquired by appropriate authorities for data entry operator for making entry/ uploading and uploaded the ATRs. The complaints were finally of complaints and secondly, for disposal/ forward/ disposed by the CEO, WB. instruction/ edit/uploading of ATR, separate log in • Similarly, for complaints received by DEOs, DEOs and password at officers’ levels. were the final disposing authorities while ROs/ • Though it was made mandatory for a citizen to BDOs were the reporting authorities. SPs in districts put his/ her mobile number during lodging of a uploaded the ATRs which were finally disposed by complaint, the mobile number remained invisible the DEOs. ROs were placed as the final disposal to the responding authorities. It was done to authorities in case of all complaints lodged before maintain the secrecy of identity of the complainant. them. However, system generated SMS for registration of • A special provision was introduced in the system complaints and intimation of disposal were sent to to forward any complaint through e-mail mode to the complainant using their mobile numbers. officers who were not working as a direct part in the • The software was made available in both web application network. This modification extended

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 85 the reach of the system to officers subordinate to particular day in the week was earmarked for the the Returning Officers and C.Ps/S.Ps. purpose of monitoring the status of disposal of complaints through video-conferencing; • SAMADHAN application was modified in a manner that a wide range of reports could be generated e) standard Operating Procedure and a brief User out of the database of complaints. Complaints Manual were prepared and circulated among the were able to be tracked and gathered source wise, DEO; mode wise and nature wise, both in summary f) video Tutorial was developed and attached with the and detailed format, within a fraction of a minute. web application to facilitate the citizens online; Further, political party wise, district wise and poll day wise reports were generated by the system g) special orientation Programmes were conducted for very quickly. Even, issues with FIR lodged and arrest State and District level political functionaries. could be fetched from the system easily. Besides, h) sveeP activities through Hoardings, Posters and provision was made to convert all these reports in Banners were displayed on a large all over the state excel formats for convenient handling. This helped to orient the common citizens, political workers and immensely to place replies to questions received Civil Society Organisations, regarding the use of from the ECI and side by side, in analytical study the SAMADHAN, with appeal to lodge their issues of the profile of complaints in the state. Moreover, related to election process. to evoke and maintain confidence, ATRs were i) sveeP activities through Print and Electronic Media, generated to serve amongst the political parties in including radio creatives, were taken to reach out to regular intervals in cases of complaints lodged in off all sections of the electorate. line mode (through Email/ Post). j) call Centres were made active to suggest/ advise/ • The sensitive issue of transparency was duly inform the complainants regarding the manner and accommodated by disclosure of final ATR and/ or scope to register their complaints elaborately. status, at any point of time, against a complaint lodged on line by a citizen by just putting the Planning Manpower and logistic Complaint ID and registered mobile number in Support the specified fields of the application.T hese steps were considered necessary for ensuring the much Planning envisages also a proper logistic and manpower discussed confidence building among citizen and management. Districts known to have propensity representatives of political parties. towards complaints were identified. DEOs made their own SWOT analysis, identified areas of concern, devised Orientation & Awareness on response mechanism and, above all, strengthened their SAMADHAN management teams accordingly. DEOs engaged one ADM in charge for complaint management. Urbanised The all-important task of informing all stakeholders and semi urbanised districts prepared special teams about the SAMADHAN and its benefits were taken under under dedicated officers in apprehension of waves of a special initiative. To achieve optimum benefits of the complaints. application, the managers and the stakeholders were suitably trained to use and get the maximum of benefits from the system. A multi-dimensional strategy was put in place. a) training district machinery in cascading manner; b) Creation/ identification of skilled and trained manpower, especially data entry operators, at all levels of civil and police authorities; c) special training to Police Authorities at State and District levels; d) opinion sharing sessions were conducted with the district complaint management teams through V.Cs on regular intervals. In fact, one session on a

General Elections to 86 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016 Logistic support was a major demand for SAMADHAN, number of complaints as which was basically an IT intervention. Sufficient close as zero before the numbers of computers with internet connections, formal announcement of dedicated space and trained data entry personnel had elections. We continued with to be arranged at all levels starting from the office the interventions we practised of the Chief Electoral Officer, District Election Officer, during the run-up to the last Commissioner of Police, Superintendents of Police and Lok Sabha Elections, 2014: at the level of the Returning Officers. Moreover, special – Designating ADM arrangements had to be made to cope with the surge (Election) as the District of complaints on Poll days. More than 20 Computers Nodal Officer (DNO) of with internet connections and operators were set up Complaints; under supervision of senior Officers andA DM in charge of complaints in districts like North 24 Parganas and – Weekly reporting on South 24 Parganas. Similar other pattern of deployment disposal of Complaints was replicated in respect of all districts in the state for under the signature of the DNO; monitoring of incidents on Poll days. The Statesman – earmarking a specific time 15-04-2016 Preparing for WBLA Elections, 2016 frame for disposal; Integrated Complaint Management System came Closer to the elections, the system was tightened up with alive with a new online version, SAMADHAN, where the district complaint disposal cells answering queries complaints received from all sources and modes were of citizens and political parties related to electoral rolls, integrated on a single platform and then redirected to EPICs and elections on a day-to-day basis. The districts appropriate authorities for disposal. The IT intervention made operational dedicated toll-free Help line numbers was designed and customized in a manner that it got the which they publicised through newspapers and district complainant informed by an SMS alert at two important websites. Shri Saikat Das, Dy. CEO was in-charge of stages of the process: first, at the time of lodging of day to day supervision of complaint disposal through the complaint and then, at the time of its disposal. SAMADHAN under the overall guidance of Shri Amit Considering the magnitude of complaints usually Roychaudhury, Joint CEO, who was also the nodal received in the State during elections, SAMADHAN officer of the Public Grievance Redressal System in the became the only interface of election machinery with State. citizens, political parties and candidates throughout the State for a fast and smart complaint management Pre-announcement Experiences system. The SAMADHAN was officially introduced from the 1st However, much before the Integrated Complaint January, 2016. Before introduction of the application, Management System was re-incarnated as SAMADHAN, all complaints pending at district level were disposed the usual drills were already in place, making the by 31st December, 2015 and the new chapter of this

Disposal of Complaints: Pre-Announcement Phase National & State Parties

NATIONAL PARTIES state PARTIES

Indian National Congress 6 (3%) Nationalist Congress Party 1 (1%) Bahujan Samaj Party 2 (1%) 4 (2%) Communist Party of India 2 (1%) All India Trinamool Congress 2 (29%) Communist Party of India (Marxist) 178 (92%) 5 (71%)

Total Application Received Total Application Received & Disposed = 193 & Disposed = 7

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 87 DISPOSAL OF COMPLAINTS: PRE-ANNOUNCEMENT PHASE 96 96 92 92 58 58 34 34 29 28 23 23 23 23 20 20 19 19 17 17 16 16 15 15 16 15 14 14 13 13 10 10 10 10 8 8 9 9 5 5 4 4 0 0 A AR AN JPU R JPU R A B D NA D IA AI GU RI G ANAS G ANAS D MAL - SO U T H - NORT H PU R U LIA B IR BHU M H O W RA H B AN KU RA AR AR H OO GH LY BU R DW AR J EELIN G J AL P ATA ATA LEVEL STATE D ALI PU R DU HB E H AR COOC M U RS H I D OL K OL K K K D INA U TTAR A K S H IN D INA PU R B O ME D INI D ASC H IM ME D INI PU R P NORT H 24 P SO U T H 24 P Total Application Received 531 Total Application disposed 529

Name of District District Help Line Number total calls at the 1950 call centre

CoochBehar 18003543274 4000 3819 3500 Alipurduars 18003453271 3000 Jalpaiguri 18003453241 2500 2000 Darjeeling 18003453275 1500 857 Uttar Dinajpur 18003453219 1000 557 500 Dakshin Dinajpur 18003453250 0 march april may Malda 18001207400

Murshidabad 1038 and 03482-274077 Integrated Complaint Management System started with a zero pending status. Citizens from all over the Nadia 18003453269 state started lodging their complaints, suggestions North 24 Parganas 18003455554 and information. Complaints received through off line modes such as the Email, fax, general postal South 24 Parganas 18003455569 and 18003455580 correspondence, hand-delivered correspondences, call Kolkata South 18003455559 centres in the CEO/DEO/R.O’s office were incorporated in the system and consequently, officers, responsible for Kolkata North 18003455057 operationalizing the system, started uploading Action Howrah 18003455558 Taken Reports (ATRs) after getting these issues enquired.

Hooghly 18003455576 In the Pre announcement phase, up to 3rd March, 2016, the lion’s share of complaints were related to Electoral Purba Medinipur 18003453273 Roll comprising issues like non-enrolment of names in Voters’ list, undue deletion of name, undue enrolment Paschim Medinipur 18003453267 of name of voters from other areas, correction of names/ Purulia 03252 - 228566 address in Roll or EPIC. These cases were mainly dealt by the EROs and AEROs and after field enquiries by the Bankura 18003453266 BLOs, these issues were disposed on the basis of merit. Burdwan 18003453244 The goal was clearly set to address each and every roll related issue with utmost care and promptness in line Birbhum 18003137464 with the Commission’s view of A good Roll for a good Poll.

General Elections to 88 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016 Call Centre Call Centre was set up at the office of the Chief Electoral Officer as in the districts.T oll free 1950 number which was available state wise for meeting queries of variegated nature was widely circulated through all means of mass communication: outdoor campaign material, radio creative, audio-visual materials, and ndia The Times of I signage at the Polling Station. Signage included also the 19-03-2016 District helpline numbers which were publicized equally prominently by the District Election Officers including making an effective use of social media. calls on poll days 293 Call Centres were manned by personnel who were 300 264 given substantial training on issues related to conduct 250 of elections and electoral roll management. It went 220 202 207 operational from the day of announcement of elections 200 179 162 and continued to remain functional till the day of 150 Counting. At the CEO Office, one PRI connection was distributed between 5 dedicated computer linked 100 receivers with facilities of hunting lines to districts. The 50 Call Centre personnel were methodically trained on the way of addressing the caller and the related issues. A 0 special register was maintained to record the call details. Besides, all information/complaints and suggestions, gleaned from the calls received at the Call Centre, were Poll Day 2 Poll Day 3 Poll Day 4 Poll Day 5 Poll Day 6 Poll Day Poll Day 1 ( b ) 1 Day Poll integrated in SAMADHAN for redress by respective (a) 1 Day Poll authorities. Depending on the subject and gravity of the issue, information-suggestion & were provided by the In the state, the call centre activity was outsourced staff manning the Call Centre. Total of 11195 phone calls but strict supervision was exercised over it. Apart from were attended and disposed from the centre during the maintaining a log of each call detailing the query and period of election. the answer given to the caller, there was test-check at the end of the day by telephoning some of the callers to verify and check whether they had been satisfied with the information provided to them. The Call Centre came out as an effective facilitation tool in the run-up to the elections. Model Code of Conduct (MCC)

With the announcement of elections, Model Code of Conduct was at the centre stage: the candidates, political parties, media were glued with every small development of activity at field.T ogether, this amounted to exerting a constantly big pressure on the machinery to which it had to respond briskly and deliver. Earlier, the model code for candidates and political parties was elaborately explained at the State level meeting with political parties. Similar exercise was taken up by DEOs, Returning Officers, SDOs and BDOs. MCC cells The Statesman were formed, along with MCC squads exercising a keen 21-03-2016 vigil on MCC violations. Control Rooms with Help Line

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 89 The Hindustan T 14-04-2016 imes

numbers were functional. There was a system of daily The challenges were many. There is a generally pervasive reporting on MCC violations to the CEO office where it culture of wall writing and other forms of defacement were compiled and sent to the Commission. in the state. Moreover, the state has no specific act towards removal of defacement per se, only provisions As we have experienced in previous general elections, of the Panchayat and Municipal acts are to be utilized for the magnitude of MCC violations, in respect of both enforcement. In face of surging MCC violations, some of public and private property, were very high as usual. the strategies we had taken are discussed below: The composition of MCC violations, for both public – there shall be absolutely no defacement on public and private property, is indicative of the fierce political property: all public defacements, if at all they competitiveness at field: existed, were to be removed by DEOs following a strict timeline; • Removal of defacements on private property Public Property MCC violations recorded was executed following the norms prescribed by the Commission: the instances of violation were 32145 booked under relevant provisions of law; 101028 • Repeated interaction with Political Parties clarifying legal provisions and the instructions of 86135 the Commission; • Implementation of Commission’s instructions; • Complete restriction on Bike Rallies, use of loudspeakers, especially during the examination 488696 period. As mandated by the Commission, a high powered committee headed by the Chief Secretary, West Bengal wall writing Posters Banners others was constituted to process and respond to the queries related to MCC. This mechanism helped, to a great Name of State : WEST BENGAL As on Date : 18.05.14 Public Property Private Property

No of cases recorded No of cases recorded otal otal T T removal removal thers thers ase lodged ase lodged C O O C Posters Posters Banners Banners Wall Writing Wall Wall Writing Wall o of defacement N o of defacement N o of defacement 670 32145 86135 55384 54711 54435 16592 74538 59009 101028 488696 708004 698794 200276

General Elections to 90 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016 extent, in curbing incidence of MCC violations resulting in enhanced departmental integration. Complaints against MCC violations and complaints about Pre-Poll violence, displaying of muscle power, political clashes, Police inaction and others started pouring into the system. The response mechanism to the increasing number of complaints had to be brisk and time-bound. The role of Police authorities became pivotal. Reports from Commissioners and Superintendents of Police were uploaded along with comments of the DEOs on each particular day. At fields, a close coordination was similarly ensured between teams deployed for the purposes of monitoring MCC, surveillance of expenditure and sanctioning permissions through SUVIDHA. A total with proper police reports. In others, intervention of of 8678 complaints related to violation of MCC were state level Police authority came out very effective and reported through SAMADHAN and acted upon. 230 FIRs reports were uploaded from the office of the CEO after were lodged for incidents of MCC violations. state level disposal of such complaints. Political parties were under an incisive supervision through media watch at State, district and sub-district levels. Any incident of violation surfacing in print and electronic media was promptly acted upon by seeking reports from DEOs and show cause notices were issued to the political campaigners for violation of MCC. DEOs imes The Hindustan T also acted suo-motu sending transcripts to the CEO 05-04-2016 Office for appropriate action. Speeches of star campaigners were brought under the scanner and scrutinised which were subsequently referred to the Commission with English transcript for appraisal. In some cases, speeches delivered with objectionable languages and indications had to be entered in the SAMADHAN by the DEOs following reports from the print and electronic media and MCC teams. Such complaints were disposed later only under the active consideration of the Commission. Some incidents of political violence were also followed from media and uploaded in the system only to be disposed

mcc violation cases recorded (public property) 8221 6477 6829 6753 16111 11544 24759 30066 12201 37395 49847 42685 13971 54085 37883 87577 42937 15514 29955 15474 157729 alda outh N adia M Purulia Howrah Bankura edinipur edinipur Hooghly Birbhum Burdwan Jalpaiguri lipurduars Darjeeling oochbehar urshidabad A C M Kolkata N orth Kolkata S Uttar Dinajpur Purba M Purba Dakshin Dinajpur outh 24 Parganas N orth 24 Parganas S Paschim M Paschim

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 91 MCC Decoded MCC Snapshots • Training of all stake holders at appropriate levels – numbers of instances of MCC violations in case of public and private property respectively were • Proactive measures to minimize violations 708004 and 200276. • Complete enforcement of provisions of defacement removal – 698794 defacement of Public Property were detected, 55384 of these had to be removed by • Pro-active mcc team- video surveillance team the MCC team for non-compliance of notices combined covering all major meetings/ rallies and cases under relevant acts started against the • Regular scanning of video coverage offenders. • Notices to candidates on mcc violation – 59009 notices were issued against defacement • Formation of high powered committee headed of private property without permission of the by the chief secretary to clarify departmental owners. 670 of these had been removed by quarries, and the MCC teams for non- removal by concerned parties and cases under relevant acts started • Lodging of FIRs against the offenders.

Special Poll Day Module of Private Property MCC Violations Recorded SAMADHAN

54711 In our state, we had developed the module of Integrated Complaint Management System with a special focus on media watch which we called, with a bit of stylization, Intensive Poll Day Monitoring. The Control Rooms at 54435 74538 both State and districts were set up with facilities of fax, landline telephone and six television sets with exclusive coverage of six major local news channels separately by dedicated personnel, each person covering only one news channel. All the observations featured in one 16597 news channel were fed in a pre-defined monitoring formatand uploaded in the SAMADHAN application for readers. The Action Taken Reports (ATRs) were sent

wall writing Posters Banners others to the Commission for appraisal and were also shared with the media on the Poll day when the Chief Electoral There was a sharp increase in the numbers of complaints Officer briefed the representatives from the print and forwarded from ECI with directions to send ATRs within electronic media. the same day or, in some cases, within 24 Hours. All complaints received from the ECI were attached its due importance. The field machinery responded to the situations promptly, enquired into it, prepared reports which were sent to the Commission in time. The weekly Video Conferences with the DEOs were again found very helpful to discuss pending issues and quality of disposal. In some cases, the opinions of the complainants were also shared on ground of insufficient reply of the respondent authority and corrective measures were ensured accordingly. Attention of District level Police Authority was sought in case of some special occasions in presence of State Level Police authorities and this was found quite effective.

General Elections to 92 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016 While the media interface continued to be similar surfacing in print and electronic media. On the Poll this election, giving out information to the citizens days, the team was looking for news items that were periodically on Poll days with full transparency, there fit to be considered as media complaints, fed them into were two notable differences. One was that now the the SAMADHAN software, brought back reports from SAMADHAN software being in place, all complaints, the DEOs and updated the status. Major deviations, as including media complaints, had to be processed only reported in electronic media, were sent to the DEOs, through the SAMADHAN. Secondly, the Commission along with audio-visual capsules, with instructions also started addressing Poll day complaints in a neatly for enquiry and report. DEOs took necessary actions structured format. The Electronic Media Monitoring themselves in most of the cases. In others, decisive Cell, set up at the Election Commission, was functional actions were taken at the state level based on the 24X7 to monitor all major news events starting from reports received from the District Election Officers. P-2 day and it continued till P+1 day. At the State The concerned media houses were informed of the headquarters, as in the districts, there had been a media action taken such that they could as well update monitoring cell which had started functioning from the their telecast content and the citizens informed of date of announcements of elections tracking complaints realities at ground.

Poll Day Complaints : 1A Poll Day Complaints : 1B

Bankura Burdwan 167 614 Paschim Paschim Medinipur Medinipur 906 311 Purulia BANKURA 91 479

Poll Day Complaints : 2nd Phase Poll Day Complaints : 3rd Phase

alipurdu

62 abad

aiguri

ar 109 325

jalp 91 Darjeeling Murshid

Birbhum uttar burdwan Nadia jpur, 136 389 Dina 1405 775 Dakshin Dina jpur, 99

Malda kolkata north 288 839

The complaints on Poll Days carried a special character in the SAMADHAN software module for Poll Days. This different from the other, run of the mill, poll related customization remained effective only for the day of Poll issues such as those related to Electoral Rolls, Electoral exclusive to the districts where polls were taking place. Photo Identity Cards, Political Party Processions and The modification was found immensely effective for MCC violations. Poll day complaints ranged across issues the complainants who required option before lodging such as MCC violations within the precincts of Polling complaints as this was also helpful for the management Stations, EVMs, role of CAPF, Queue and Law and Order team to generate special reports on Poll Days. A Separate violations. In SAMADHAN, the options for selecting the Dashboard on each day of Poll was created to keep a particular category of complaints was suitably modified close vigil on the status of disposal of complaints.

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 93 Poll Day Complaints : 4th Phase Poll Day Complaints : 6th Phase

howrah 1461 Purba Medinipur 727 Coochbehar 927 north 24 parganas 3191

The response of the districts was commendable as they Poll Day Complaints : 5th Phase had only 1 hour to respond and upload the ATR in the system. The coordination with the Civil and Police sector Officers who were ultimately responsible for conflict resolution and report, was clinched to perfection. Hooghly 995 The Poll day media complaints forwarded by the

south 24 parganas Electronic Media Monitoring Cell (EMMC) housed at 2090 ata south the Election Commission were considered with special 294 kolk priority. As a part of the system, they were fed into the software and ATRs received in this respect from the DEOs were placed before the Commission, in regular intervals. A consolidated report was placed before the Commission on every Poll day sharp at 6:00 PM. The Chief Electoral Officer also discussed about the complaints, including media complaints, at the Press Conference for information of citizens.

Challenges faced • Quantity and intensity it was not only a story of management of 55000 complaints lodged in SAMADHAN, it was also a tale of managing more than 4600 issues on a single day of Poll. The application emerged as a tool that allowed to lodge complaints round the clock. On some Poll days, more than 150 cases of complaints lodged within 7 AM within the same Poll date. The teams in some districts had to handle 500 complaints per day and in the morning of the Poll Day, the figure following at the rate of 200 complaints per hour. • Complaints against SAMADHAN the IT intervention was itself got under the purview of objection, mostly due to misunderstanding at the end of the

General Elections to 94 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016 Complainants or users. Complaints were made before the Commission also for not-so satisfactory performance of the system though, the complainants were convinced and in some cases, necessary modifications were done also only to facilitate the stake holders. • Same Complaints from multiple Source and Mode same complaints or complaints on identical issues, generally from political functionaries, were regularly received on different dates and from different sources as they were received directly from the district level leaders.T hen, the same complaints, then, were forwarded by the state level representatives. Further the same complaints were forwarded from the Commission in different garbs now forwarded by the National Level leaders of the political parties. Often, the modes of lodging complaints on same issues were different since the same complaints were received through E-mail, fax and through posts invariably on different dates. In spite of the tagging system for tracking the same complaint, it was really very challenging for election managing complaints to go through each and every complaint and keep it on track before placing the Action Taken Report and informing complainant about the status of the complaint.

• Internet Connection the system being an IT initiative, it required a robust internet connectivity and due to lack of sufficient speed of internet, the complainants at some pockets of the state, had to face inconveniences to lodge their issues quickly. Due to this, confusions were created over the capacity of the system though speed of the internet was technically responsible for the delay while the software, immune from frailties, had successfully absolved itself.

• Baseless Complaints complainants who lodged complaints in the SAMADHAN application sometimes, filed complaints either just for sake of complaining or with any agenda contrary to the spirit of fair practice. These things could not be unearthed until or unless the enquiry was completed. But in the process it consumed a lot of valuable time of the election managers for disposal of false complaints.

Samadhan Impact Assessment One of the many advantages of the SAMADHAN Software had been that it provided opportunity to analyse the efficacy of the system on a widely varied indicators. It gives an opportunity to generate reports that provide useful insights on the public grievance redressal system (PGRS) in future elections.

Status of Complaint Disposal through SAMADHAN

Complaint Information Suggestion Total Applications Nature of Complaint Received Disposed Received Disposed Received Disposed Received Disposed CEO 4111 4061 102 102 142 142 4355 4305 District 775 769 25 25 19 17 819 811 District Call Center 1641 1635 255 255 10 10 1906 1900 ECI 3309 3234 82 82 240 240 3631 3556 Electronic Media 1075 1074 661 661 1 1 1737 1736 Mobile App 7510 7477 0 0 0 0 7510 7477 Online 30295 30218 1191 1188 281 281 31767 31687 Print Media 63 62 60 60 0 0 123 122 RO / ERO 2440 2367 134 129 19 18 2593 2514 State Call Center 97 97 426 426 0 0 523 523

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 95 DISTRICT WISE DISPOSAL OF COMPLAINTS RECEIVED THROUGH SAMADHAN 9628 9600 8578 8563 5765 5731 4488 4478 3589 3585 3185 3155 2582 2570 2450 2409 2443 2401 2143 2114 2127 2125 1217 1210 1309 1301 880 880 1014 994 870 860 747 742 637 618 483 481 367 363 259 254 203 195 A AR AN JPU R JPU R A B D NA D IA AI GU RI G ANAS G ANAS D MAL - SO U T H - NORT H PU R U LIA B IR BHU M H O W RA H B AN KU RA AR AR H OO GH LY BU R DW AR J EELIN G J AL P ATA ATA LEVEL STATE D ALI PU R DU HB E H AR COOC M U RS H I D OL K OL K K K D INA U TTAR A K S H IN D INA PU R B O ME D INI D ASC H IM ME D INI PU R P NORT H 24 P SO U T H 24 P

Total Application Received Total Application disposed

Political Party wise Disposal of Complaints: National Parties 25000 22081 21991

20000

15000

10000

5000 1794 1786 1979 1961 10 10 434 426 89 87 0 Bahujan Bharatiya Communist Communist Party Indian Nationalist samaj Party Janata party Party of India of India (Marxist) national Congress congress Party

Total Application Received Total application disposed

Political Party wise Disposal of Complaints: State Parties 6000

4918 4896 5000

4000

3000

2000

1000 550 548 367 367

1 All India Revolutionary All India Forward Bloc Socialist Party Trinamool Congress

Total Application Received Total disposal

Most significantly, the biggest advantage of embrecing SAMADHAN application as a singular citizen centric interface was that it helped in redressal of complaints in a time bound manner. The system was transparent since for every complaint launched, the action taken reprot was triggered through SMS to the complainant. SAMADHAN had come to stay as it was successfully tested in the subsequent bye-elections in the state.

General Elections to 96 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016

chapter election Expenditure VI Monitoring

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 99 In order to reduce risks of Money Power as it leads to uneven playing field and lack of fair competition, the Election Expenditure Monitoring System came into force. The Election Commission of India had directed that election expenditure permitted under the law should to be reflected in true and correct manner in the accounts of the candidates as well as those of political parties and it should be maintained in the manner prescribed by the Commission. The election expenditure not permitted under the law should be stopped and proper action taken under provisions of law. Election Expenditure Monitoring had become a robust system gearing up in right earnest as the election machinery approached the General Elections to the West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016. Steps were taken to ensure that the system remained well in place before the notification of election to start functioning on a trigger mechanism.

The detailed arrangements regarding expenditure the event of any expenditure related violation of Election monitoring was a myriad interwoven structure of many Commission’s directives. disciplines of government functionaries and there were • The Representation of the People Act, 1951 doubts on how effectively we could put the detailed • The Conduct of Election Rules,1961 mechanism in place. With active support and co- operation of the teams of civil sector officials, the Excise • Instructions of the Commission as contained in personnel, police and the Income Tax authorities, an the Compendium of Instructions on Expenditure elaborately designed plan was implemented at fields. Monitoring • , 1860 Legal Framework • Income Tax laws The legal provisions contained in the following Acts, • Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 Rules, Codes and Instructions are primarily applied in • The West Bengal Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989

Major legal provisions related to Election Expenditure Monitoring The Representation of the People Act, 1951 Sec 10A: Disqualification for failure to lodge account of election expenses Failing to lodge an account of election expenses within time and manner required or has no good reason or justification for failure. Disqualified for a period of three years. Sec 77: account of Election Expenses and maximum thereof Candidate/Election agent shall keep a separate, correct account of election expenditure incurred/ authorized between date of nomination and declaration of results. Sec 78 : lodging of account with District Election Officer Within 30 days from the date of election, contesting candidate should lodge with DEO “the true copy” of election expenses kept by him/election agent

The sections of the Representation of Peoples’ Act, 1951 are further elaborated in the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961, wherein the detailed procedure is laid down under rule 86,87, 88 & 89 as to how the individuals contesting an election as well as the Political Parties and Organisations taking part in the election process should proceed to make expenses related to the election process and how they should report such expenses to the Commission. The Indian Penal Code, 1860 prescribes bribing and exerting undue influence in the election process as an offence having penalty provisions under Section 171-B to 171-I in case of any person being apprehended for committing such offences.

General Elections to 100 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016 Formation of Expenditure Monitoring Teams At the very outset, focus was on formation of different teams and cells at the district and field levels. In each of the districts, the Expenditure Monitoring Cell was formed with a senior officer in charge of expenditure monitoring.T he Cells were supported by a host of functionaries in Video Surveillance Teams, Video Viewing Teams, Accounting Teams, Flying Squads, Surveillance Teams for Tracking Illegal Cash transactions and Media Certification & Monitoring Committees and Seized Cash Release Committee formed at different levels. Control Rooms and Call Centers were set up to attend public complaints or any information relating to probable use of money power in elections.

Teams & Officials for Expenditure Deployment/AC/ No. of Personnel Engaged Surveillance District Asst. Expenditure Observer (AEO) 1 per AC 315 Flying Squad (FS) 3 per AC 10 Coy CPF Static Surveillance Teams (SST) 3 per AC 970 Nos. ASI+1940 Armed +1940 lathi Video Surveillance Team (VST) 1 per AC 588 Civil Officer & Staff +323V ideographer Video Viewing Team (VVT) 1 per AC 588 Civil Officer & Staff Accounting Team 1 per AC 970 Civil Officer & Staff Media Certification and Monitoring Committee 1 per District 105 Officers & 168 Staff (MCMC) Expenditure Monitoring Cell 1 per District 63 Officers & 84 Staff Complaint Monitoring Cell & Call centre 1 per District 24 Officers & 168 Staff District Expenditure Monitoring Committee 1 per District 84 Officers (DEMC) Seized Cash Release Committee 1 per District 84 Officers Executive Magistrate on duty 1 per FS; 1 per 3 SST 1340 Executive Magistrates

Detailed training was given at State headquarters to training activities were imparted at State headquarters the Cells-in-charge and the Master Trainers from all the by the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer, West Bengal. electoral districts. They, in turn, trained all functionaries As directed by the Commission, Nodal Officers from associated with expenditure monitoring. Orientation the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer, the Director programmes for the political parties, contesting General of Police, the Excise directorate and the Income candidates and their election agents were organized. Tax directorate coordinated the Civil teams, the Flying Commission allowed appointment of a special group Squads, the Static Surveillance Teams, the Excise and of agents by contesting candidates for the purpose the Income Tax squads operating at the assembly of maintenance of accounts. They too were given constituency, sector and booth levels across the state. orientation training. The training process for the Additional District Magistrates in charge of Election Expenditure Monitoring process was taken up at the State level. The District Election Expenditure Monitoring Cell had also been trained at the State level. The Returning Officers of the 294 Assembly Constituencies received a single dose of training ending in the first week of January, 2016 and their second dose of training was imparted from 16th of January, 2016. The Political parties (registered and recognized) had their State level orientation training on expenditure monitoring process and the obligations and duties on their part on 15th February, 2016. All these

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 101 Nodal Officers of Expenditure Monitoring

Name of Officer and Designation Contact No. Email Address Sri Amitabha Sengupta, Joint Chief Electoral Officer, West 9836164478 [email protected]; Bengal 033-22310840 [email protected] Sri M.K. Das, IPS, DIG (Administration), West Bengal 9830570472 [email protected] Sri Kunal Biswas, Addl. Excise Commissioner (Systems), Excise 9830595434 [email protected] Directorate, West Bengal 033-22360625 Sri Deb Kumar Sonowal (95047), Addl. Director IT (Inv.) Unit – 4 [email protected] 9477330226 Kolkata [email protected]

Teams were engaged in districts under supervision of expenditure sensitive constituencies and slotting and such senior officers as the Dy. Superintendent of Police, clubbing of assembly constituencies keeping in mind Superintendent of Excise and officers of the rank of Asstt. the geographical contiguity of the constituencies as Directors / Deputy Directors of Income Tax. well as the number of Expenditure Observers required for the districts for these constituencies. Accordingly, • 175 Excise surveillance Teams were deployed the list of such constituencies were provided to the across the State. Commission. • 29 Income Tax Officers monitored the movement of cash across the state along with MAPPING OF OBSERVERS WITH THE DISTRICTS their field teams of 40 Income-tax Officers ASSEMBLY OBSERVERS DISTRICT and Inspectors of Income-tax. SEGMENTS APPOINTED • Teams of 894 Flying Squad and 860 Static COOCHBEHAR 9 2 Surveillance Teams operated across the 294 ALIPURDUAR 5 1 assembly constituencies having a functional strength of three teams each per Assembly JALPAIGURI 7 2 Constituency. DARJEELING 5 2 UTTAR DINAJPUR 9 2 Confirmation of Rates of DAKSHIN DINAJPUR 6 1 Advertisements MALDA 13 3 In terms of instructions of the Commission, the Chief MURSHIDABAD 22 5 Electoral Offices of the State should obtain standard NADIA 17 4 rate cards from the TV channels/Radio Channels/ News Papers, broadcast/circulated in the State/ UT, six NORTH 24 PARGANAS 33 7 months before due date of expiry of Lok Sabha/State/ SOUTH 24 PARGANAS 31 6 UT. Such rate cards would given to the Accounting KOLKATA SOUTH 4 1 Teams for calculation of rates of advertisements. The rates of advertisements in electronic channels and print KOLKATA NORTH 7 2 media were obtained and communicated to the District HOWRAH 16 3 Election Officers. HOOGHLY 18 4 The District Election Officers made elaborate PURBO MEDINIPUR 16 4 arrangements for ascertaining rates for different items PASCHIM MEDINIPUR 19 4 of expenditure and notified the rates. PURULIA 9 2 Identification of Expenditure BANKURA 12 3 Sensitive Constituencies & BURDWAN 25 5 Slotting of Expenditure Observers BIRBHUM 11 3 The Commission instructed to provide the list of 294 66

General Elections to 102 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016 Booth Level Awareness Group 66 (sixty-six) expenditure observers supervised and watched over the expenses of candidates and political (Bags) parties in 294 assembly segments in the state. The Commission decided to discontinue with the In the period starting with the Press Release by the Village/Ward level Awareness Groups. Unified Booth Election Commission of India announcing dates of poll level Awareness Groups (BAGs) were introduced on 4th March, 2016 till the end of the last poll day on 5th instead, formed by the Booth Level Officers in each of May, 2016, the teams functioning at the field level made the 77,247 booths across the state and having among some significant seizures as detailed below: its members booth level government functionaries, para workers, representatives of local bodies, BLAs, • The Static Surveillance Teams of Darjeeling Assembly BLVs, heads/representatives of local bodies and schools/ Constituency seized Rs. 15.21 Lakh in Nepalese colleges in the respective Polling Station area, NSS/ currency while the total fake Indian currency note NYK volunteers and representatives of CSO/NGO. They seizure in the state amounted to Rs. 15.98 lakh functioned as awareness generation units among the during this period. general electors about the virtues of ‘Ethical Voting’. During the last 48 hours from the end of poll, these • As many as 24 Special Teams were constituted groups functioned as information wing for the DEOs to by the Income Tax authority for election related pass on any information regarding unethical practices surveillance work. 29 officers of the rank of Asstt. and incidents of bribing and exerting undue influence Directors / Deputy Directors, 40 Income-tax Officers in the election process. Care was taken about neutrality manned the Special Teams on 24X7 basis. of the members of Booth Awareness Groups use of DEOs • Airport Intelligence Unit were set up at Bagdogra arranged for training the BAGs about the use of mobile and Andal under an Asstt. Director (Investigation), software and procedure of uploading images/videos specifically for the purpose of election related and put in a system of complaint monitoring and follow surveillance work. The existing Airport Intelligence up action involving the flying squads and collection of Unit at Kolkata was equipped with additional officers evidence. All information given by BAGs was marked ‘BAG’ in the register inspected by the Expenditure and Inspectors and they functioned on 24X7 basis. Observer for follow up action. Identity of the complainant In all, 20 raids were carried out by the Income Tax BAG member was kept secret. List of BAGs with contact Directorate U/S 132 and U/S 132A leading to a total cash numbers were given to the Awareness Observer, General seizure of Rs. 12.32 Crore. All 20 cases were investigated Observer & Expenditure Observer. and tax adjusted from seized cash. However, prima facie, no relation to election in none of the seizures could be found. The Flying Squads, Static Surveillance Teams, Police and Excise teams lodged a number of cases and arrests were made under various sections of IPC and Bengal Excise Act, 1909.

Sensitization of BAGs in Jalpaiguri District Seizure From the date of notification of election for different poll days, Expenditure Observers reached districts to attend to the Constituencies allotted to them. Assistant Expenditure Observers were placed into service from the date of issue of Public Notice by the Returning Officers.

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 103 FIGURE OF SEIZURE OF CASH & ITEMS (CUMULATIVE) Poll Day of No. of Liquior Seized Other tems (in kg) Includ. Opium, Date Cash Seized Election Constituency (In Ltr.) Drugs, Pshychotropic Substance Etc FS SST FS SST EXCISE All Poll TILL 294 52,216 Days 05/05/2016 1,88,96,679 5,91,08,341 40,55,620.37 cases lodged Total Expenditure Arrests For Bribe/ Fir Registered For Arrests Made Under Poll Day Related Fir Registered Gratification Excise Law Violation Prohibition Cases Fs Sst Other Police Fs Sst Other Police Fs Sst Other Police ALL PHASE 695 232 67 82 7 12 65 13 0 12426

Expenditure Sensitive Constituencies (ESCs) As this was a completely new concept for the candidates and Expenditure Sensitive Pockets (ESPs) and political parties, the idea was slow to catch on. However, Purba Medinipur District set an example by There were no expenditure sensitive constituencies or having all the candidates submitting their final accounts pockets in the State. online with the help of the ECRPs. Election Commission Return Preparer (ECRP) In all, 127 candidates in the state submitted their The Commission introduced e-filing of certain forms accounts online with the help of the ECRPs. and statements, by candidates and political parties and launched a new scheme called Election Commission District wise breakup of ECRPs Return Preparer (ECRP) to assist the candidates and SL Total ECRP For the Name of District political parties in online submission of forms, affidavits NO District etc. In this connection the District Election Officers had 1 Coochbehar 9 been supplied with the list of Income Tax Department’s 2 ALIPURDUAR 3 Return Preparers (in consultation with the Income Tax Department) with an instruction to also involve the VAT 3 Jalpaiguri 4 Return Preparers of the Commercial Tax Department in 4 Darjeeling 2 case of shortfall of such Income Tax Return Preparers. 5 Uttar Dinajpur 2 The DEOs identified 111 Nos. of ECRPs and the third 6 DAKSHIN DINAJPUR 3 party agencies who imparted requisite training to 7 MALDA 6 the ECRPs and also monitored their performance. At the 8 Murshidabad 11 State level, the Master Trainers as well as the Third Party 9 Nadia 3 Agencies were trained by the Commission who in turn trained the ECRPs in connection with return preparation 10 North 24 Pgs 7 in the districts. 11 South 24 PGS 13 12 Kolkata South 2 13 Kolkata North 2 14 HOWRAH 4 15 Hooghly 8 16 Purba Medinipur 11 17 Paschim Medinipur 3 18 Purulia 4 19 Bankura 8 20 Burdwan 2 21 Birbhum 4

General Elections to 104 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016 Account Reconciliation Meeting All cases of seizure of cash effected by FS, SST or Police authorities were immediately brought to the notice of Election Commission of India advised account the Committee formed in the District reconciliation meetings with the candidates/election agents with the District Expenditure Monitoring The Committee, suo-motu, examined each case of Committee (DEMC). seizure made by the Police or SST or FS and where the Committee found that no FIR/Complaint had been filed If the Returning Officers or the District Election Officers against the seizure or where the seizure is not linked got hold of information of suppressed expenditure on the with any candidate or political party or any election part of the candidate and the DEMC issued initial notice campaign etc., as per Standard Operating Procedure, to the candidate and followed the due procedure, the it took immediate step to order release of such cash etc. candidate was given another opportunity to reconcile to such persons from whom the cash was seized after the under-stated amount of election expenditure in passing a speaking order. the account reconciliation meeting convened by the DEO on 26th day of declaration of result that is on The procedure of appeal against each seizure was 14.06.2016 in West Bengal. Notice was issued in writing mentioned in the seizure document and it was informed to each candidate latest by the day of declaration of to such persons at the time of seizure of cash. result. Expenditure Observers remained present in the Reconciliation Meeting and the DEMC, after scrutiny, The functioning of this committee was given wide passed order in writing with reasons, in cases where the publicity, including telephone no. of the convener of the account could not be reconciled and served it on the Committee. candidate/agent on the same day. All information pertaining to release of cash was maintained by the Nodal Officer of Expenditure Cash Release Committee Monitoring in a register, serially, date wise with details In order to avoid inconvenience to the public and regarding amount of cash intercepted/seized and date genuine persons and also to redress their grievances, if of release to the person(s) concerned. If the release of any, a committee was formed in each electoral district cash was more than Rs. 10 (Ten) Lacs, the Nodal Officer comprising three officers of the District, namely, of Income Tax was kept informed before the release was effected. In no case, the matter relating to seized (i) aDM, Zila Parishad/P.D, DRDC cash/ seized valuables was kept pending in malkhana or (ii) Nodal Officer of Expenditure Monitoring in the treasury for more than 7 (Seven) days after the date of District Election OfficeC ( onvenor) and poll, unless any FIR/Complaint was filed. (iii) District Treasury Officer.

ndia The Times of I 26-03-2016

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 105 Amount of Cash Released by Cash Release Committee after verification by Fs, Sst and Police District Name FS SST SHO/Police Authority Total Coochbehar 1920000 1875000 0 3795000 Alipurduar 354000 195000 0 549000 Jalpaiguri 0 1106000 425000 1531000 Darjeeling 0 300000 317400 617400 Uttar Dinajpur 337160 1754141 0 2091301 Dakshin Dinajpur 0 0 2000420 2000420 Malda 914820 0 0 914820 Murshidabad 3140000 0 0 3140000 Nadia 0 637800 0 637800 North 24-Parganas 0 863790 0 863790 South 24-Parganas 0 0 0 0 Kolkatta South 0 813550 0 813550 Kolkata North 0 4717600 0 4717600 Howrah 1020250 7661310 0 8681560 Hooghly 753600 5683030 500000 6936630 Purbo Medinipur 0 261200 0 261200 Pashchim Medinipur 1410000 2504000 0 3914000 Purulia 0 0 0 0 Bankura 699470 1620205 0 2319675 Burdwan 1580400 2935565 0 4515965 Birbhum 0 0 0 0 Total Amount 4,83,00,711

Submission of Final Accounts by Candidates The last date for submission of final accounts with all relevant papers by the candidates was 18.6.2016.T he District Election Officers were to submit the scrutiny report of the accounts so filed by the candidates to the Election Commission of India through the Chief Electoral Officer, West Bengal.T he following is the figure of timely submission of reports by the candidates:

Returned Account Account Account Account Candidate Total Total Reconciled Reconciled State District Not Not Not AC Candidate & Timely but Delayed Reconciled Submitted Submitted Submission Submission Account WEST 21 294 1961 1899 8 7 47 0 BENGAL

General Elections to 106 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016 The summary of expenditure incurred by candidates on the basis of accounts submitted by them is given in the table below:

Total Candidates Who Expenditure Candidate Category Candidate Submitted Accounts Incurred (In Lakh) Registered Recognised Political Party 1041 1032 9777.18 Registered Un Recognised Political Party 549 539 391.05 Independent 371 343 212.19 Total 1961 1914 10380.42

Observations and Inferences to date had spent Rs. 103.80 crore in their election campaigning process that is spread over seven Observations through systematic data collection in respect categories, namely, of expenditure made by the candidates during the General election to the West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016 1. expenses in public meeting, rally procession etc. reveal some distinctive patterns which emerge from such 2. expenditure in public meeting Rally, procession studies. etc. with the Star Campaigner(s) • It is evident from the analysis that the lion’s share of 3. campaign materials other than those used in the the expenditure made by the candidates went into public meeting, rally, procession etc. arranging public meetings including street corner 4. campaign, through print and electronic media meetings processions and rallies. This was followed by Campaign materials other than those used in the 5. Expenditure on campaign vehicle(s), used by public meeting, rally, procession and Expenses of candidate campaign workers. 6. expenses of campaign workers / agents, and • This was uniform when we considered all the 7. any other campaign expenditure. candidates as well as separate analysis done for the candidates put up by the registered recognized The share of expenses (in %) by all the candidates and parties and the registered parties as well. 1915 candidates set up by the Recognised political parties and candidates who had submitted their final accounts the Registered political parties are analyzed hereunder

Composition of Expenditure by all Contesting Candidates

Campaign Expenditure in Expenses Expenses materials other Campaign, Expenditure public meeting of Any other in public than those used in through print on campaign rally, procession campaign campaign meeting, rally the public meeting, and electronic vehicle(s), used etc. with the Star workers / expenditure procession etc. rally, procession media by candidates Campaigner(s) agents etc. 39.46% 9.62% 23.39% 1.28% 6.84% 14.79% 4.59%

Composition of Expenditure by Contesting Candidates Set up by Registered Recognised Political Parties

Expenses Expenditure in Campaign materials Expenditure Expenses Campaign, in public public meeting other than those on campaign of Any other through print meeting, rally rally, procession used in the public vehicle(s), campaign campaign and electronic procession etc. with the Star meeting, rally, used by workers / expenditure media etc. Campaigner(s) procession etc. candidate agents

39.37% 10.16% 23.60% 1.21% 6.63% 14.94% 4.10%

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 107 Expenditure on different items made by the Expenditure on different items made by the Registered Recognised Political Parties Registered Unrecognised Political Parties

4.10% 4.59% 14.94% 14.79%

6.63% 6.84% 1.21% 1.28% 39.37% 39.46%

23.60% 23.39%

10.16% 9.62%

Any other campaign expenditure Any other campaign expenditure Expenses in public meeting, rally procession etc. Expenses in public meeting, rally procession etc. Expenditure in public meeting rally, procession etc. with the Expenditure in public meeting rally, procession etc. with Star Campaigner(s) the Star Campaigner(s) Campaign materials other than those used in the public Campaign materials other than those used in the public meeting, rally, procession etc. meeting, rally, procession etc. Campaign, through print and electronic media Campaign, through print and electronic media Expenditure on campaign vehicle(s), used by candidate Expenditure on campaign vehicle(s), used by candidate Expenses of campaign workers / agents Expenses of campaign workers / agents

Poll Day Expenditure by Contesting Candidates Set up by Registered Recognised Political Parties We may now have a look at the expenditure pattern of candidates set up by recognised political parties in the WBLA Elections, 2016.

Poll Day 1A Poll Day 1B 400 350 324.64 343.95 350 317.63 306.95 300 300 250 250 200 200 149.59 150 150

100 79.92 100 50 32 29 39 50 32 9.92 10.58 8.81 10.14 9 8.88 16 9.34 0 0 Bankura burdwan Paschim Medinipur Bankura Paschim Medinipur Purulia Total Candidate total Expenditure average Expenditure (In lakh) Total Candidate total Expenditure average Expenditure (In lakh)

General Elections to 108 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016 Poll Day 2 Poll Day 3 600 900 800 500 478.81

700 843.3

400 371.96 600 513.54 331.63

282.72 500 300 425.26 400 192.11 200 185.5 300 205.79 127.89 200 82 10.28 100 49 60 67 40 36 7.08 23 27 100 19 10.47 9.69 9.21 24 13 8.94 7.66 10.11 7.72 9.83 9.29 0 0 alipurduar Birbhum Dakshin Darjeeling Jalpaiguri malda Uttar Burdwan Kolkata mUrshidabaD nadia Dinajpur Dinajpur north Total Candidate total Expenditure average Expenditure (In lakh) Total Candidate total Expenditure average Expenditure (In lakh)

Poll Day 4 Poll Day 5 1200 1200 1032.87 1004.42 1000 1000

800 800 592.35 600 520.98 600

400 400 167.59

200 127 200 107 56

52 10.57 16 9.38

10.01 8.13 10.47 0 0 total candidate total expenditure average expenditure Hooghly kolkata south south 24 parganas (in lakh) Total Candidate total Expenditure average Expenditure (In lakh) HOWRAH NORTH 24 PARGANAS It is observed that the highest average expenditure Poll Day 6 incurred by the candidate setup by recognized political parties was in Burdwan district in Poll Day 1B having 450 414.99 400 a figure of Rs. 10.58 Lakh which was higher than the 325.55 350 state average of Rs. 9.39 lakh for the candidates of the 300 recognized parties. On the other end, interestingly, it 250 was the Burdwan district again on the 3rd Poll Day of the 200 poll where the candidates incurred lowest expenditure 150 of the state averaging 7.08 lakh. It was also observed 100 32 47 that the candidates of the were 50 10.17 8.82 the highest spender as far as campaigning expenses are 0 concerned, averaging 16.61 lakh per candidate while the total candidate total expenditure average expenditure ( in lakh) Bahujan Samaj Party candidates incurred an expense of Coochbehar PUrba medinipur only 0.23 lakh per constituency.

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 109 Expenditure by Contesting Candidates Set up by Registered Political Parties There was not much difference between the shares of expenditure by the Registered Recognised Political Party candidates and the same by Registered Unrecognised Political Party candidates names, percentage wise, on different items of election expenses. However, there was a significant difference between candidates of the two categories of political parties as far as total expenditure in the election was concerned with candidates of the recognised political parties spending Rs. 9777.18 lakh towards their election expenses while those of the registered unrecognised political parties spending 391.05 lakh. Percentage wise that reflects a ratio of 96:4.

Expenditure incurred by Candidates in Unreserved Constituencies

TOTAL EXP (IN Lakh) Un-reserved Constiuencies-Poll Day 1A State Average: 35.30 Lakh 70 60 58.04 50 54.5 40 44.07 30 32.26 32.84 29.05 25.04 20 25.69 25.76 25.26 10 0 alboni Joypur Purulia S edinipur Kashipur aldangra Jhargram T M Balarampur Baghmundi Gopiballavpur

TOTAL EXP (In Lakh) Un-reserved Constiuencies-Poll Day 1B State Average: 35.30 Lakh

60

50 50.72 45.07 45.46 46.58 43.96

40 41.42 42.02 40.49 37.76

30 36.39 25.64 34.56 31.1 31.07 29.24 29.38 30.54 20 29.24 26.24 25.12 22.65 23.66 10 22.66 0 Kulti sadar O nda Purba Debra Pingla sansol Barjora Daspur Dantan aniganj Barbani A Jamuria Garbeta Dakshin Bankura paschim C hhatna SA B AN G R Durgapur Durgapur Durgapur Bishnupur Kharagpur Kharagpur Kharagpur sansol Uttar N arayangarh A Pandabeswar

TOTAL EXP (In Lakh) Un-reserved Constiuencies-Poll Day 2 State Average: 35.30 Lakh 70 65.73 60 55.33 55.27 51.86 49.9 50.06 50 49.27 48.24 45.32 45.94 43.92 42.83 40 42.07 41.13 39.23 40.03 38.84 34 35.61 35.72 34.68 33.52 33.2

30 33.39 32.99 31.67 31.44 28.39 26.96

20 24.79 18.11

10 15.2 15.89 0 S uri atua tahar R urarai I aiganj Bolpur S iliguri L abpur N alhati C hopra R Hansan M alatipur S ujapur othabari C hakulia I slampur C hanchal Kurseong M Balurghat ampurhat anickchak anickchak lipurduars ayureswar Darjeeling M Karandighi Kumarganj Kalimpong R Harirampur A Goalpokhar M M M Baishnabnagar Harischandrapur Dabgram-Fulbari

General Elections to 110 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016 TOTAL EXP (In Lakh) Un-reserved Constiuencies-Poll Day 3 State Average: 35.30 Lakh 80 70 60 71.21 55.77 54.97 52.29 52.07 52.47 50 51.86 50.66 49.79 47.4 46.48 46.98 46.22 47.1 45.72 44.99 40 45.38 43.06 40.66 40.37 38.61 38.75

30 34.14 32.79 33.63 34.91 33.08 32.75 34.59 32.18 30.91 32.03 27.75 28.19 30.56 28.56 28.84 28.31 26.07

20 27.78 25.65 25.13 25.08 24.9 25.43

10 22.01 18.44 0 S uti emari Kandi Katwa ehatta Bhatar E ntally Jalangi N owda C hapra L algola antipur T Farakka M Domkal aniktala Kaliganj ejinagar S Jangipur angalkot aninagar onteswar Karimpur R Beldanga agardighi M Ketugram Bharatpur C hakdaha Jorasanko Beleghata R N abadwip amserganj M S M urshidabad Palashipara S Hariharpara Baharampur N akashipara S hyampukur C howrangee M aghunathganj Bhagawangola R Purbasthali Uttar Purbasthali Krishnanagar Uttar Kashipur-Belgachia Purbasthali Dakshin Purbasthali Bardhaman Dakshin Bardhaman Krishnanagar Dakshin anaghat Uttar anaghat paschim R TOTAL EXP (In Lakh) Un-reserved Constiuencies-Poll Day 4 State Average: 35.30 Lakh 70

60 57.36 54.7 51.4 50 52.39 45.35 45.33 45.72 44.58 39.57 40 41.16 38.75 38.28 36.03 37.06 37.27 34.54 34.79 35.02 34.27 30 34.03 30.19 30.59 29.4 28.31 29.12 30.05 29.56 27.62 27.38 27.49 27.54 26.22 26.19 24.4 25.32 20 24.76 17.57 10 17.9 15.61 0 mta Bally A Bijpur Haroa Habra N aihati Barasat Bagnan Domjur Baduria Panchla S hibpur Panihati mdanga Jagatdal N oapara Bhatpara Deganga Khardaha A Dum dum Baranagar S hyampur Kamarhati shoknagar Barrackpur A Bidhannagar adhyamgram Howrah Uttar Howrah Basirhat Uttar Jagatballavpur Uluberia Purba M Dum Dum Uttar Howrah Dakshin Howrah Howrah madhya Howrah Basirhat Dakshin Udaynarayanpur ajarhat gopalpur Uluberia Dakshin ajarhat new town R R TOTAL EXP (In Lakh) Un-reserved Constiuencies-Poll Day 5 State Average: 35.30 Lakh 70

60 60.64 51.54 51.21 50 50.8 47.49 44.37 44.71 45.01 41.84

40 41.12 40.72 40.49 40.23 38.83 38.56 40.04 38.71 36.89 36.42 36.22 36.88 34.26 34.08 34.36 32.55

30 33.1 31.21 30.3 31.58 30.42 31.01 29.38 28.46 27.27 20 26.18 23.58 24.03 17.7 19.57 10 16.04

0 agar Falta Kulpi S Kasba S ingur aidighi Haripal Pandua R atgachia Kakdwip Pursurah Jadavpur Khanakul etiaburuz Uttarpara aheshtala Jangipara aptagram S Bhangore ashbehari arakeswar ollygunge C handitala S C hunchura T T R Ballygunge M M C hampdani Bhabanipur S reerampur Kolkata Port Behala Purba anning Purba Budge onarpur Uttar Patharpratima C S Behala Paschim C handannagore agrahat Paschim agrahat onarpur Dakshin Baruipur Paschim S Diamond Harbour M TOTAL EXP (In Lakh) Un-reserved Constiuencies-Poll Day 6 State Average: 35.30 Lakh 60 50 46.76 54.51

40 40.49 40.84 40.81 37.89 30 31.54 31.56 30.53 30.4 29.77 28.7 27.97 20 27.93 26.2 21.29 20.98

10 19.35 0 - pur E gra oyna Purba amluk Kanthi M T Dinhata Dakshin Dakshin ahisadal paschim N atabari ufanganj amnagar Panskura Panskura Panskura T Patashpur M R C handipur Bhagaban N andigram ooch Behar Kanthi Uttar C N andakumar

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 111 AC wise Expenditure incurred by Candidates in Constituencies Reserved for Schedule Caste (State Average: 35.30 Lakh)

Sainthia Nanoor Dubrajpur Galsi Ausgram Uttar Bardhaman Kalna Jamalpur Raina Khandaghosh Sonamukhi Indas Kotulpur Saltora Raghunathpur Para Keshpur Chandrakona Ghatal Khejuri Haldia Goghat Arambagh Dhanekhali Balagarh Uluberia Uttar Sankrail Bishnupur Magrahat Purba Canning paschim Baruipur Purba Jaynagar Mandirbazar Kultali Basanti Gosaba Hingalganj (SC) Minakhan (SC) Swarupnagar (SC) Gaighata Bongaon Dakshin Bongaon Uttar Bagdah Haringhata Kalyani Ranaghat Dakshin Ranaghat Uttar Purba Krishnaganj Burwan Khargram Nabagram Maldaha Gazole Gangarampur Kushmandi Kaliaganj Hemtabad Matigara-naxalbari Rajganj Jalpaiguri Maynaguri Dhupguri Falakata Sitai Sitalkuchi Cooch Behar Uttar Mathabhanga Mekliganj

00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07

General Elections to 112 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016 Highest and Lowest Expenditure/Elector Unreserved AC State Average: Rs. 15.93 Assembly constituency NO Assembly constituency NAME TOTAL EXP (in Rs.) 26 Siliguri 36.14 24 Kurseong 6.91 Highest and Lowest Expenditure/Elector ACs Reserved for SC State Average: Rs. 15.93 Assembly constituency NO Assembly constituency NAME TOTAL EXP (in Rs.) 136 Jaynagar 28.51 273 Ausgram 8.85 Highest and Lowest Expenditure/Elector ACs Reserved for ST State Average: Rs. 15.93 Assembly constituency NO Assembly constituency NAME TOTAL EXP (in Rs.) 11 Kalchini 25.71 238 Bandwan 9.31

Interestingly, the average expenditure in the ACs reserved for ST candidates was more than that of the ACs reserved for SC candidates. This reflects also in the figures which show that the candidates of the lowest spending AC in the ST category, 237-Binpur had incurred more expenses for contesting the election than the lowest spending AC of 261-Raina under SC reservation or even 24- Kurseong which fell under unreserved category. Assembly Constituency wise Expenditure incurred by Contesting Candidates in Constituencies Reserved for Schedule Tribe (State Average: 35.30 Lakh)

60 55.96

50 46.72

40 38.51 36.60 33.15 33.81

30 32.02 30.46 31.16 28.38 29.02 28.22 26.33 24.45

20 23.82 22.92 10

0 ) al M apan aipur T R Binpur Kalchini anbazar adarihat Keshiary Bandwan Habibpur anibandh M M N ayagram N agrakata R Kumargram Phansidewa andeshkhali ( ST S

Total expenditure incurred by the candidates in 210 unreserved assembly constituencies in the state stood at 76.09 crore with average expenditure per AC at 36.23 lakh which is above State average of 35.30 Lakh. Total expenditure in 68 ACs reserved for the SC candidates stood at 21.54 crore with an average expenditure of 31.68 lakh which was way below the state average. In 16 ACs reserved for ST candidates, the total expenditure and the average expenditure were 5.22 crore and 32.64 lakh respectively.

Assembly Constituency wise Lowest & Highest Average Expenditure Candidate Wise (in lakh) DISTRICT Reservation total No. of AC number AC NAME AVERAGE EXP NAME Status (SC/ST/GEN) Candidates Purulia 238 Bandwan ST 10 2.38 Birbhum 288 Labpur GEN 3 14.64 State Average 5.29

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 113 Assembly Constituency wise Expenses Highest and Lowest Expenditure by Candidates for an Individual Elector AC Reserved for SC (State Average: 35.30 Lakh) This study brings up an interesting revelation that AC NO AC NAME TOTAL EXP (in Lakh) lowest expenditure in terms of candidate’s expenditure 136 Jaynagar 60.22 per elector in an assembly constituency is higher in case 261 Raina 15.11 of a constituency reserved for ST candidates than that of the unreserved AC or AC reserved for SC candidates. Highest and Lowest Expenditure Highest and Lowest Expenditure Unreserved AC (State Average: 35.30 Lakh) AC Reserved for ST (State Average: 35.30 Lakh) AC NO AC NAME TOTAL EXP (in Lakh) AC NO AC NAME TOTAL EXP (in Lakh) 58 Jangipur 71.21 11 Kalchini 55.96 24 Kurseong 15.2 237 Binpur 22.92 Expenses by Recognized Political Parties From the statement of accounts submitted by candidates, it is revealed that major share of expenditure incurred by candidates of recognized political parties came from the party coffers.O ut of the total expenditure of Rs. 9777.18 lakh towards election campaigning made by candidates nominated by the recognized parties, the parties have contributed Rs. 6893.53 lakh from their fund which is 70.50% of the campaign money spent by their candidates. On an average, each of the candidates setup by the national and state parties spent Rs. 7.96 lakh towards their election expenditure and received Rs. 5.47 lakh from party fund for meeting expenses of electioneering.

AC wise Average Expenses by Candidates set up by National and State Political Parties (In lakh)

18 16.44

16 15.41

14 13.16 10.92

12 10.57 10 8.96 6.72 8 6.72 5.94 4.99 5.40 4.28 5.09 5.09

6 4.18 4.19

4 2.51 1.87 0.24

2 0.03 0 AIFB aitc BSP BJP cPi cPI(M) inc ncP rsP

average expenses incurred from party fund/candidate (in lakh) avaeage expenditure/candidate (in lakh)

imes The Hindustan T 19-04-2016

General Elections to 114 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016 arty arty akh) akh) olitical n L n L akh) Name of Political Party arty Fund/ n R s.) ontribution of ontribution ominated verage E xpenses verage verage verage n R s.) andidate andidate ( I andidate andidates' andidates' ( I andidate ontribution arties (in L ercentage Share Share ercentage ercentage of P ercentage C N P E xpenses From ( I Fund A P From C P of C P R ecognised P C E xpenditure ( I A per E xpenditure C P C

ALL INDIA FORWARD BLOCK 25 12731617 5.09 1.84 16795495 6.72 75.8 ALL INDIA TRINAMOOL CONGRESS 293 158140014 5.40 22.94 385613529 13.16 41.00 BAHUJAN SAMAJ PARTY 161 418851 0.03 0.0003 3833313 0.24 10.92 BHARATIYA JANATA PARTY 291 307585707 10.57 44.61 317885696 10.92 96.75 COMMUNIST PARTY OF INDIA 11 2762108 2.51 0.40 5488830 4.99 50.32 COMMUNIST PARTY OF INDIA (MARXIST) 148 61988659 4.19 8.99 87859703 5.94 70.55 INDIAN NATIONAL CONGRESS 92 141751722 15.41 20.56 151221226 16.44 93.73 NATIONALIST CONGRESS PARTY 1 418000 4.18 0.06 895568 8.96 46.67 REVOLUTIONARY SOCIALIST PARTY 19 3556553 1.87 0.5 8125032 4.28 43.77

Analysis of data shows that each of the 1961 candidates attached with the statement of accounts by the who contested in the election had incurred, on an candidates. The pattern that emerges signifies the ACs average, a sum of Rs. 5.29 lakh per candidate. Out of where the total expenditure is significantly higher than the 294 assembly segments, it was in 144 Assembly the state average. The highest expenditure was made Constituencies, in which the average spending of in the public meetings and campaign material. On the candidates was higher than the state average with other hand average and total expenditure in ACs like highest candidate wise election expenses being 82-Chopra and 103-Bijpur ACs are significantly lower notched up by 288-Labhpur AC. The lowest on the other than the state average. hand was recorded in 238-bundwan AC with candidates of 150 assembly segments spending less than the state average. Item wise Highest and Lowest Expenditure in Assembly Constituency Segments Item wise highest and lowest expenditure by candidates Pratidin have been extracted from the accounts submitted 17-03-2016 by the candidates and from the abstract statement,

Expenditure Expenses Campaign in public Campaign, Expenditure Expenses of in public materials used Any other meeting, rally, through print on campaign campaign meeting, rally, in the public campaign procession etc. and electronic vehicle(s), used workers / procession meeting, rally, expenditure with the Star media by candidate agents etc. procession Campaigner(s) 246 Raghunath 269-Purbasthali 26-Siliguri 291-Rampurhat 249-Ranibandh 73-Hariharpara AC 53-Sujapur AC HIGHEST Ganj AC 31.01 Uttar AC 6.57 AC 28.79 AC 36.91 lakh AC 18.14 lakh 13.91 lakh 31.22 lakh lakh lakh Lakh 103-Bijpur 103-Bijpur 82-chopra AC 288-Labhpur AC 288-Labhpur 273-Ausgram AC 130-Patharpratima LOWEST AC Nil AC Nil 1.77 lakh Nil expenditure AC .017 lakh Nil expenditure AC 0.10 lakh expenditure expenditure

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 115 Election Expenditure Monitoring (Excise Department, West Bengal)

The entire exercise of Liquor Monitoring as part of Election reporting like fax etc. were discouraged and the whole Expenditure Monitoring was approached keeping in mind data was received, processed and compiled electronically. the axiom that “Election Liquor” is a problem and if not Based on the directives of the Election Commission of India suitably dealt with could jeopardise the entire democratic a list of sensitive shops (Excise licensed establishments) process. Use of liquor to influence the electorate is a was prepared. The following criteria was used to identify problem universally accepted and historically proven. As sensitive shops in any district, namely, the world’s largest democracy went to vote, this fact was kept in mind while planning the framework of the whole • If the opening stock of any shop as on 1st February, exercise regarding Liquor Monitoring. 2014 exceeds the corresponding stock as on 1st Having recognised the problem of “Election Liquor” February, 2013 by 50 % or more. beforehand, it was also felt that such recognition, if • If the sale on any day during February, 2014 exceeds limited only to the higher bureaucracy, won’t serve any the average sale of January, 2014 by 30 % or more. purpose and if at all the problem has to be effectively dealt with, the people down the line of the administrative • Shops located near slums. set up need to be suitable sensitized about the same and • Shops located away from main roads and in interior equipped to deal with it. rural pockets. The whole process began with a meeting in New Delhi with the Election Commission of India held on the 9th Further the possible illegal liquor storage locations in of February, 2014 where the State Level Nodal Officers the districts were identified and a list was prepared were suitably briefed on the issue followed by another accordingly and such areas were continuously monitored meeting held later during the month at the office of the throughout the election process with regular raids being Chief Electoral Officer, West Bengal. Subsequently in the conducted. days preceding the declaration of elections on the 5th Apart from this a total of 2,569 IMFL retail outlets and of March, 2014 the district and field level units under 1,848 Country Liquor outlets across the state were closely the Excise Directorate, West Bengal were appropriately monitored on a daily basis while taking stock of purchase acquainted with the process of Liquor Monitoring and and sale of liquor by these retailers every single day. It was suitably sensitized about “Election Liquor”. The district ensured that all such retailers maintain brand wise stock level nodal officers were also briefed on preparation registers with daily updates. Any aberration was dealt of daily liquor monitoring reports in relevant forms for with seriously. Further, any retail outlet registering 30 % onward transmission to the Election Commission of India. or more increase in sale over the average daily sale of the The clear message that was put across to the district and corresponding month of the previous year was closely field level units was to extensively beef up preventive and monitored and appropriate action taken as and when monitoring activities in the run up to the elections for required. Bulk sale of liquor was thoroughly checked. effectively combating “Election Liquor” on the one hand All the manufacturing and wholesale units were also and minimising law and order issues by closely regulating brought under scrutiny and daily transactions monitored. the production and supply of liquor on the other. As Principal stress was laid on preventive activities and liquor of illicit origin is cheaply available and therefore intensity of excise raids was extensively stepped up. A can easily be used as “Election Liquor”, the field level units total of 123 excise teams were formed across the state were instructed to rigorously check the manufacture, for preventive activities in the run up to the elections. supply, distribution, procurement, storage, transport, Such teams were only discontinued phase wise after sale and consumption of such illicit liquor. At the same completion of polling in their respective jurisdictions. time stress was also laid on monitoring sale of licit liquor The limited resources and manpower of the department from licensed retail outlets and effectively checking the were utilized to the extreme with substantial amount of sale of any kind of liquor from unlicensed outlets with the success in prevention and detection. A total of 11,431 objective of minimising any unauthorised sale. excise raids was conducted by the special teams during It was ensured that all the excise division and district the election process resulting in detection of 13,585 level units submitted liquor monitoring reports on a daily cases involving seizure of 4,85,018 litres of liquor with an basis. The I.T Cell of the Excise Directorate was entrusted approximate market value of Rs. 3,88,01,400/-. Apart from to monitor and compile the reports so received from the this 740 persons were arrested and booked under various field level units on a daily basis. All obsolete modes of sections of the Bengal Excise Act for violations.

General Elections to 116 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016

chapter Vii Training

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 119 Training Conduct of General Elections involves a massive deployment of manpower. Other than deploying polling personnel and micro-observers, there is a substantial mobilization of human resources who get to the job much earlier before the elections are announced for a planned execution of the election work. Getting them attuned to the legal obligations and procedures that a free and fair election process mandates as well as making our system sensitive to the diverse needs of the stakeholders was an immense task and it started about a year back.

Broadly speaking, the objectives of the training plan election machinery in such a manner that no one is for elections had been promotion of competence escaped from the training net. in election management, as well as supporting and • Training materials were customized to meet the supplementing the efforts of election personnel. It aims specific needs of election managers for a better at equipping election personnel with better knowledge, understanding of legal principles and practical skill and competence in a systematic manner through a implementation to enhance knowledge base cascaded form of training in uniform and standardized essential to conduct statutory functions. structure all across the state. • An activity calendar was developed for all officials With these objectives in frame, a training plan was involved in the machinery with specific inputs and developed which included training activities taken up in time frame well in advance. Officers at the helm were a cascaded manner as shown below: all positioned about 6 months ahead of elections. a. state Level This facilitated in developing mental set up and b. District Level preparedness for the mammoth job of elections. c. assembly Constituency Level • It was planned strategically to conduct trainings in cascading mode starting with the State and then, The cascaded training programme started with percolating to the level of sub-divisions and blocks. training of State Level Master Trainers (SLMTs) at State • Emphasis was given on giving inputs in the form Head Quarters. The SLMTs were selected from the of texts, PPTs, FAQs, DOs and DONOTs to the finest rank of senior officers @ two officers for ten assembly detail in a user friendly manner and holding trainings constituencies. In total, 60 SLMTs were selected from the in small groups with an average of 50 participants. rank of Joint Secretary, Deputy Secretary and Additional District Magistrates, Sub Divisional Magistrates and very • Efforts were made to have audio–visual senior Deputy Magistrates from the districts. The SLMTs presentations at all training sessions. in turn trained up the Assembly Level Master Trainers (ALMTs). ALMTs were selected @ 3 for each assembly Implementation constituency. Further, the conduct of elections involved A systematic Training Plan was prepared with the a substantial number of training events for a variety of objective of capacity building of all functionaries election personnel like BLOs, polling personnel, sector associated with the election process with a uniform officers,VA B personnel, camera persons, counting and training plan across the state. The training cell at the others over a defined period of time. CEO Office supervised implementation of the training plan. A series of workshops and briefing sessions were As such, an emphasis was given to organize trainings held with the SLMTs for development of module and in small groups of 40/45 people in batches for better material after due analysis of training needs of different management and making training sessions conducive categories of persons involved in the election process. for interactions. An additional set of Master Trainers Cells were formed at the offices of the District Election such as Sub Division Level Master Trainers (SDMTs) Officers and Returning Officers by following a uniform were groomed from the rank of Extension Officers/ pattern in all districts. 15 cells were suggested to be Junior Officers. On an average, 10 personnel from each formed to execute and supervise implementation of assembly segment were selected as SDMTs. activities related to conduct of elections: Training Strategy 1. Personnel Cell 2.Training Cell 3. Electoral Rolls, The basic strategy was to have a systematic uniform Postal Ballot Cell 4. EVM Cell 5. Ballot Papers Cell training structure for all officials of the state 6. Statutory, Statistical data & Report- Returns

General Elections to 120 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016 Cell 7.Law & Order, Sector arrangement, 8. Model repeated training inputs. Trainings were conducted for Code of Conduct Cell 9.transport & Vehicle Cell 10. the officials of Income Tax and Excise departments on Infrastructure Cell 11.Media & SVEEP Cell 12. Observer expenditure monitoring matters. Cell 13. Information Technology 14. Expenditure All four categories of polling personnel were given two Monitoring Cell 15. Nomination Cell. doses of hands on rehearsal based trainings involving Two officers were identified from each above noted mock-exercises on poll process, using and filling up of cell as Master Trainers (MTs) who were given extensive requisite forms, blank dummy-forms and stationeries. An training at state level. additional dose of training was imparted to personnel

Training calendars which were devised well in advance where VVPATs were used. In this, there was a district in tandem with the activity calendar, were carried out emphasis on operational aspects of Electronic Voting in the state headquarters under overall supervision and Machines. responsibility of the Chief Electoral Officer with the help Micro Observers and Assistant Expenditure Observers of the SLMTs. In like manner, trainings in districts were were trained under personal supervision of Observers. carried out by District Election Officers and under the Counting personnel were given training as mandated. overall supervision of the Chief Electoral Officer with the Other officials like camera persons at the polling booths, help of ALMTs, SDMTs, and ROs. members of Voters’ Assistance Booth (VAB) were also Senior officers of the State police working at the state briefed about their jobs. head quarters and districts were trained at the state A special feature was the training of representatives of headquarters. Trainings for police personnel were also the recognized political parties on conduct of election held at sub divisions and blocks. matters at the state and district levels. Media persons Polling Personnel were given two rounds of trainings were also brought under training net on matters with emphasis on hands on training with EVMs. Since related to conduct of elections, model code of conduct, matter related to expenditure monitoring is complex expenditure monitoring, paid news and importantly, requiring close interactions with sister departments like on duties and responsibilities of media persons on Poll police, income tax and excise, intensive trainings were and Counting days as elaborated in various instructions given to officials engaged in the expenditure monitoring of the Commission. In the orientation session, media cells. All members of video surveillance, monitoring, were specially briefed about functioning of software accounts, static surveillance, flying squads were given applications such as SAMADHAN, SUVIDHA and SUGAM.

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 121 Major emphasis was given on timeliness and quality of conduct of training programme. From the very beginning, attention was given on holding training in small sessions of 40-50 participants in class room mode. Introduction of user friendly interactive training methodologies at the training sessions was a hall mark of trainings this time. Mop up trainings were organized for absentees in case of all such training programmes. Training Table Level Participants Venues Dates SLMTs, DEOs, ADM Elections, Returning Officers, OC Elec District, Kolkata, ALMTs(AROs) including BDOs, DEO Cell in-charges (6 Cells), Nodal Siliguri, 26.11.15 – State Officers -Police-Districts & Commissionarates, Nodal Officers- Jalpaiguri, 02.03.16 Income tax, Nodal Officers - Excise, RO/ARO on VVPATs, Nodal Bolpur officers for IT Applications, Political Parties, Media Personnal ALMT/AROs including BDOs, Sub Division Cell in-charges( 6 Cells), Sector Officers, EVM staff for FLC, Police Officers in the rank of Addl 30.12.15 – District SP/Dy SP/Circle Inspectors/ Inspectors, EEM Teams - FS, SST, VVT, District HQ 05.03.16 VST, AT etc., SDMTs, Income tax Officers, Excise Dept Officers, Dy Commissioner/Inspectors, Political Parties / Agents Sub- Sub-Division Police Sub Inspectors, EVM staff for commissioning 09.03.16 Division HQ RO/ BLock BLO, Police-constables ARO/ Block 09.03.16 Polling Personnel, Micro Observers, VAB Personnel, Videographers, 12.03.16- RO/ ARO RO/ ARO Counting Personnel, DCRC Personnel, Executive Magistrates till counting

Based on inputs given by the Commission, elaborate on a daily basis by the Joint CEO, West Bengal aptly training materials were prepared for all categories of assisted by Dy. CEO, West Bengal in charge of training. trainings. Reading materials provided for the training in It was further placed for scrutiny and evaluation at the standardized format included the following: level of the Chief and Addl. Chief Electoral Officers. • Session Plan Out come • Slides in MS PowerPoint After completion of the general elections in the state, it • Case studies/video clippings, for selected topics may not be out of place to say that strict emphasis on • FAQs conduct of trainings, encompassing all officials engaged Availability of training materials to the trainees either in for election work and stress on good quality of trainings, soft copy or print outs were made mandatory. Further, facilitated in equipping election officials for election the latest instructions were supplied to them from time work which enhanced their competence and confidence to time to keep them equipped with the latest directives and it eventually helped in a seamless execution of of the Election Commission. Special efforts were taken election process in a very significant manner. to make reading materials in vernacular languages like Bengali/Nepalese particularly for personnel working at the ground level. Monitoring Right from the beginning, a very strict monitoring system was put in place by the Chief Electoral Officer to monitor the training programmes. One Additional District Magistrate was especially designated and made responsible for supervision of training programmes at the district level. At the state level also, the progress in training activity in districts was scrupulously monitored

General Elections to 122 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016 Training initiatives in Dakshin Dinajpur district

Conducting General Elections to the State Legislative Personnel in a more cogent manner through the Audio- Assembly is a multifaceted phenomenon requiring Visual mode. It was an effective approach which made skill and competence with a fine line of coordination things easier to apprehend for the Polling Personnel. between different organs- call it cells- of the district Processes related to the technicalities of handling an election machinery. In the district, the entire process of Electronic Voting Machine, VVPATs in different stages conduct of elections was a balanced display of precision starting from the conduct of mock poll, setting the and discipline for a seamless execution of functions EVM machine, sealing of the EVM machines had been assigned to each of the officials involved it.T raining demonstrated in a manner that it had a positive impact was an indispensible input to augment the skill and on the consciousness of the Polling Personnel in order knowledge components of officials who mattered to to make them more adept as well as psychologically well make the elections a success. equipped to handle any unforeseen situations which are highly common phenomenon of any election.

All audio-visual spots on training were uploaded to You- Tube with the link for the same being provided to the Polling Personnel for viewing it in their spare time prior to the Poll Day so that they could clear any doubt and perform their duties confidently.T he videos had been viewed by no less than 25,000 people so far.

Again, several statutory forms such as Form 17-C, Presiding Officer’s Diary, Mock Poll Certificate, PS-05 were displayed line by line on screen, capturing the audio visual mode such that these technical issues are analyzed in simpler terms for the polling personnel. The entire structure of carrying out a flawless election, thus, stood upon the foundations of imparting proper The Polling Personnel were also provided with a pocket- and methodical training to the human resources size Booklet in vernacular stuffed with all relevant including Polling Personnel. An initiative was taken to information which could be used by the Polling pass on several intricate subject matters to the Polling Personnel at any point of time as a ready reference.

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 123 chapter

Systematic Voters' Education and Electoral VIii Participation Programme

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 125 Voters’ Education programme charted a planned 2016, after which we shifted our focus to increasing course of action this election starting with developing voter turn-out for the ensuing Assembly General State SVEEP Plan which was developed at the CEO Elections. While campaigning for voter registration, we Office keeping the priorities and overall objectives had our special focus on the following special categories of the Commission in perspective. It was shared with of people: the districts after it was approved by the Commission. • Women The District Election Officers prepared District SVEEP • Young people and Plans in line with the State SVEEP Plan and materialized every bit of it with relentless implementation at fields. • Differently-able people Organizationally, a very senior Officer in the district of Specific focus on these three groups was largely because the rank of Additional District Magistrate was in charge of the fact that their presence in the electoral rolls was yet of the implementation of voters’ education programmes to reach the level of the corresponding others. Gender in the districts aptly aided by the District Nodal Officer of ratio was loaded in favour of the male electors, presence SVEEP. Joint Block Development Officer was designated of electors in18-19 years age bracket was relatively low the Block Nodal Officer responsible for implementation compared to their projected presence in the population of SVEEP programme, following the precedent of the and differently-able people are often socially not previous general election in 2014. encouraged to register their names in the electoral rolls Objectives of the SVEEP Campaign or even to vote. Some of the special outdoor campaign materials prepared during the registration phase are As elections approached, the State SVEEP Plan for the included in the report. The initiative largely succeeded Assembly General Elections was prepared with following and between the draft publication and final publication objectives in vision: of the electoral rolls the following changes in the Gender • Increased over-all voter-turn out Ratio, E-P Ratio and 18-19 electors could be seen: • Increased turn out of women voters as well as voters GENDER RATIO E-P RATIO with physical challenges 933 0.68 • Enhancing the quality of voting with a high pitch campaign on ethical voting (voting without fear and by applying one’s own mind) 925 0.66 • Building confidence among the electors on the overall presence of the Election Commission of India Draft 2015 Final Published on Draft 2015 Final Published on with substantial improvement in visual presence 5 January 2016 5 January 2016

with appropriate reassuring messages Changes in Gender Ratio between the Changes in E-P Ratio between the draft roll 2015 and final roll published on draft roll 2015 and final roll published on • Generating awareness on EVM, VVPAT (in VVPAT 5 Jauary 2016 5 Jauary 2016 specific Assembly Constituencies) • Generating awareness on Expenditure Monitoring Keeping the SVEEP objectives in perspective, we measures and presence of different expenditure tried to identify the gaps in turn-out starting from the monitoring teams like FS, SST, Videographers etc. district and going down up to the level of the Polling Stations. The turn-out figures of 2011 and 2006 General • Improvement in the overall experience of the voters Assembly Elections were considered the starting points on the poll day by providing all the basic minimum of Situation Analysis. facilities at the polling stations. Percentage of 18-19 Electors Preparing the SVEEP Plan for the Elections, 3.17 a Situation Analysis

During the period between the draft publication and 1.17 the final publication of the electoral rolls in 2015-16, which was finally published on 5 January 2016, the Draft 2015 Final Published on SVEEP campaign largely focused on the central theme 5 January 2016

of increasing Elector-Population (E-P) ratio. The thrust changes in percentage of 18-19 years electors between the draft roll continued till the National Voters’ Day on 25 January 2015 and final roll published on 5 january 2016

General Elections to 126 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016 Between the draft and the final rolls, Gender ratio increased from 925 to 933,E -P ratio from 0.66 to 0.68 and the presence of electors belonging to 18-19 years age group improved to 3.17 percent.

% Turn Out in Previous Assembly % Turn Out in Last Assembly Election Election 2006 2011 Name of the district Male Female Total Male Female Total Turn Turnout Turnout Turnout Turnout Turnout Out Coochbehar 85.58 86.40 85.97 84.80 86.63 85.66 Jalpaiguri 84.44 83.34 83.92 85.00 85.74 85.35 Darjeeling 74.57 74.14 74.36 79.94 79.50 79.72 Uttar Dinajpur 81.15 82.69 81.88 80.39 83.41 81.82 Dakhsin Dinajpur 88.51 88.12 88.33 88.35 88.64 88.49 Malda 81.35 83.01 82.15 79.31 85.43 82.24 Murshidabad 84.93 84.08 84.52 85.08 86.51 85.77 Nadia 88.07 88.18 88.12 86.85 88.57 87.67 North 24 Parganas 83.56 81.67 82.67 85.61 84.25 84.97 South 24 Parganas 82.47 78.28 80.46 85.66 82.28 84.04 Kolkata South 62.91 62.09 62.56 66.47 65.02 65.83 Kolkata North 65.05 65.88 65.40 Howrah 78.58 74.64 76.74 82.29 80.77 81.58 Hooghly 82.58 80.76 81.71 84.17 84.71 84.43 Purbo Medinipur 89.23 90.08 89.65 88.86 91.23 89.99 Paschim Medinipur 86.03 84.89 85.47 87.81 88.58 88.19 Purulia 79.66 75.23 77.50 81.55 80.00 80.81 Bankura 84.63 79.84 82.31 86.88 86.55 86.72 Bardhaman 82.12 78.42 80.37 86.44 85.44 85.97 Birbhum 84.67 80.07 82.43 87.45 85.49 86.71 State Total 82.46 80.80 81.67 84.39 84.53 84.40

There has been increase in Voters’ Turn-Out (VT) in all the districts of the state (except Coochbehar, Uttar Dinajpur and Nadia districts where there is slight decrease) during Assembly Elections, 2011 as compared to the 2006 General Assembly Elections as shown above. The State average rose at 84.40 in 2011 General Assembly Elections. There were 114 ACs in the State where the VT in 2011 was below the State average:

No of ACs below State Average: 114 Range (% of VTR) No of ACs 50-60 2 60-70 7 70-80 42 80-84.40 63 Total 114

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 127 One may have a look at the district-wise distribution of ACs having VT lower than the State average in the Legislative Assembly Elections, 2011

No of ACs having VT Total No of ACs in % of ACs in the district having Name of the District below State Average the district VT below State Average Coochbehar 4 9 44 Jalpaiguri 4 12 33 Darjeeling 4 6 67 Uttar Dinajpur 4 9 44 Malda 10 12 83 Murshidabad 6 22 27 Nadia 2 17 12 North 24 Parganas 12 33 36 South 24 Parganas 17 31 55 Kolkata South 4 4 100 Kolkata North 7 7 100 Howrah 11 16 69 Hooghly 8 18 44 Purbo Medinipur 0 16 0 Paschim Medinipur 4 19 21 Purulia 8 9 89 Bankura 2 12 17 Bardhaman 7 25 28 Birbhum 0 11 0 Dakshin Dinajpur 0 6 0 Total 114 294 39

Evidently, there were three districts in the State namely Purbo Medinipur, Birbhum and Dakshin Dinajpur which had no such ACs having VTRs below State average. On the other end of the spectrum, there were seven districts which had a high incidence of low VTR ACs. Interestingly, Kolkata North and Kolkata South districts had 100% 0f low VTR ACs. There was, therefore, scope for improvement of VTR for the remaining ten districts of the state as well. The Lok Sabha Elections, 2014 registered a Voters’ Share of Districts: PS having lowest VT (Bottom 20) Turn-Out percentage of 82.22 compared with the 2009 Dakshin Dinajpur 1 figures of 81.41 percent and 77.68 in 2004. A closer look Purulia 2 at the turn-out figures, however, would reveal more. Kolkata North 4 Compared with 2009, there has been an increase in turn-out in 12 of 20 districts in the state. In respect of Kolkata South 4 Parliamentary Constituencies (PCs), the increase is Hooghly 1 registered in 24 out of 42 PCs in the state. Howraah 1 Bardhaman 1 Birbhum 1 South 24 Parganas 1 North 24 Parganas 1 Murshidabad 1 Darjeeling 2 Total 20

General Elections to 128 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016 A comparative analysis of turn-out in 2014 and 2009 Lok It is relevant now to see the comparative figures of the Sabha elections in respect of urban ACs is reproduced WB LA Elections, 2011 and Lok Sabha Elections, 2014 in below. Evidently, there had been an increase, albeit terms of turn-out. small, for most of the districts in the state.

Urban ACs : Voters' Turnout District Name 2009 2014 JALPAIGURI 82.00 84.28 DARJEELING 78.48 80.82 MALDA 79.04 81.41 MURSHIDABAD 78.98 81.87 NADIA 87.00 84.01 NORTH 24 PARGANAS 79.81 81.00 SOUTH 24 PARGANAS 77.83 76.81 HOWRAH 75.39 75.43 HOOGHLY 74.40 78.52 PURBO MEDINIPUR 93.01 89.79 PASCHIM MEDINIPUR 72.57 78.86 BURDWAN 75.32 79

State Assembly General Election, 2011 Lok Sabha General Election, 2014 Name of District Male Female Total Male Female Total turnout turnout turnout turnout turnout turnout COOCHBEHAR 800373 732193 1532562 861055 804260 1665315 JALPAIGURI 1021360 940734 1962094 1119796 1064506 2184302 DARJEELING 455308 432276 887584 503918 477756 981674 UTTAR DINAJPUR 649653 608684 1258337 723974 695151 1419125 DAKHSIN DINAJPUR 428079 388878 816957 470840 437047 907887 MALDA 861671 848639 1710310 974982 977915 1952899 MURSHIDABAD 1724692 1632093 3356785 1847265 1819971 3667236 NADIA 1509197 1404625 2913821 1617790 1532732 3150522 NORTH 24 PARGANAS 2717052 2433255 5150947 2963039 2662564 5625606 SOUTH 24 PARGANAS 2732473 2420804 5153280 2952751 2632998 5585749 KOLKATA SOUTH 308542 238603 547145 319498 254422 573920 KOLKATA NORTH 532760 402518 935278 535471 420374 955848 HOWRAH 1383466 1178443 2561756 1465780 1251483 2717266 HOOGHLY 1656532 1531899 3188435 1763181 1621351 3384553 PURBO MEDINIPUR 1446646 1354283 2800917 1551181 1473792 3024982 PASCHIM MEDINIPUR 1671661 1585468 3257164 1789905 1706473 3496390 PURULIA 740024 669819 1409843 827456 759618 1587076 BANKURA 1034614 948835 1983449 1115829 1022610 2138442 BARDHAMAN 2253439 1976968 4230407 2403955 2128014 4531975 BIRBHUM 953101 860356 1813457 1061588 963248 2024836 Total 24880643 22589373 47470528 26869254 24706285 51575603

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 129 In terms of percentage turn-out, there is a fall from the Female VTR Female VTR District Name 2011 General Elections at the 2014 General Elections 2014 2011 from 84.40 to 82.22. Excepting the districts of Purulia, COOCHBEHAR 83.05 86.63 Kolkata North and Darjeeling, all the districts have come out with a lower turn-out. In terms of female turn-out JALPAIGURI 83.84 85.74 again, the same districts of Darjeeling, Kolkata North DARJEELING 79.89 79.5 and Purulia have experienced a higher growth. UTTAR DINAJPUR 80.17 83.41 District Name VTR 2014 VTR 2011 COOCHBEHAR 83.05 85.66 DAKHSIN DINAJPUR 85.30 88.64 JALPAIGURI 83.84 85.35 MALDA 81.07 85.43 DARJEELING 79.89 79.72 MURSHIDABAD 81.65 86.51 UTTAR DINAJPUR 80.17 81.82 NADIA 84.62 88.57 DAKHSIN DINAJPUR 85.30 88.49 MALDA 81.07 82.24 NORTH 24 PARGANAS 82.86 84.25 MURSHIDABAD 81.65 85.77 SOUTH 24 PARGANAS 81.02 82.28 NADIA 84.62 87.67 KOLKATA SOUTH 64.68 65.02 NORTH 24 PARGANAS 82.86 84.97 KOLKATA NORTH 66.67 65.88 SOUTH 24 PARGANAS 81.02 84.04 KOLKATA SOUTH 64.68 65.83 HOWRAH 78.79 80.77 KOLKATA NORTH 66.67 65.4 HOOGHLY 82.24 84.71 HOWRAH 78.79 81.58 PURBO MEDINIPUR 86.58 91.23 HOOGHLY 82.24 84.43 PASCHIM MEDINIPUR 85.55 88.58 PURBO MEDINIPUR 86.58 89.99 PASCHIM MEDINIPUR 85.55 88.19 PURULIA 81.77 80 PURULIA 81.77 80.81 BANKURA 84.49 86.55 BANKURA 84.49 86.72 BARDHAMAN 83.21 85.44 BARDHAMAN 83.21 85.97 BIRBHUM 85.26 85.49 BIRBHUM 85.26 86.51 TOTAL 82.20 84.4 Total 82.20 84.53

In line with the SVEEP objectives of a higher turn-out during the ensuing General Elections, districts will come out with appropriate strategies to increase overall not only turn-out but turn-out of women, youth and persons with disability.

In line with the instructions of the Commission, 15 % of lowest turn-out Polling Stations had been identified quite early, including Polling Stations where women turn-out had been lower. Districts have similarly identified Polling Stations with relatively lower turn-out in the last two General Elections and have identified also reasons of lower turn-out in these Polling Stations. Appropriate strategies are being developed by districts to enhance the turn-out the over-all turn-out of voters, including turn-out of women and young voters.

Implementing Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation Programme for West Bengal Legislative Assembly Elections, 2016 had its own priorities. Within the framework mandated by the Commission, State SVEEP priorities were defined for achieving a substantial growth inV oters’ Turnout (VT), free and ethical voting and a qualitative improvement in voters’ experience of voting which broadly came under the purview of Voters’ Welfare. The Commission has laid considerable emphasis on quality aspects of voting, minimizing gaps in voting of women, and socially disadvantaged/marginalized groups. State priorities were shaped within the framework so defined by the Commission and simultaneously it strove to go beyond that, breaking new grounds of participation and innovations.

General Elections to 130 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016 Strengthening the Institutional Set Up One of the finest outcomes of our preparations in the run up to elections was development of district specific The organizational set-up for SVEEP had been tuned up SVEEP plans. Following a video conference held with down the line to effectively monitor the implementation Nodal Officers in-charge of implementation of SVEEP aspects of SVEEP programme in relation to the WBLA programme in the districts, the Commission directed Elections, 2016. Accordingly, following set-up was the District Election Officers to submit District SVEEP drawn up in districts to frame district SVEEP strategies Plans before the Commission. The Commission further and supervise its implementation: directed that the districts should undertake a SWOT 1. District Election Officer analysis flagging the district specific innovations and submit the same before the Commission. The instruction 2. additional District Magistrates in charge of SVEEP of the Commission was followed in letter and spirit and 3. District Nodal Officer (SVEEP) all the districts submitted District SVEEP Plans as well 4. Block level Nodal officer (SVEEP): The Joint Block as district specific intervention to the Commission in Development Officers will be the Nodal Officers in time specified by the Commission. This also helped, to a charge of SVEEP at the Block levels. considerable extend the election machinery in districts to tune up their preparations in the wake of the elections A WhatsApp Group had also been formed comprising being only a few days away since then. This election officers as noted above.T he District SVEEP Committee, saw creativity of District Election Officers revealed in already formed, are meeting frequently to supervise the refreshing variety. It also saw how district level plans progress in implementation of SVEEP programme in the were shaped keeping the twin objectives in mind : districts. • Enhancing turnout of voters including enhancing Voters’ Education programme charted a planned participation of women and the differently able course of action this election starting with developing voters. State SVEEP Plan which was developed at the CEO Office keeping the priorities and overall objectives • Making participation more inclusive and ethical. of the Commission in perspective. It was shared with the districts after it was approved by the Commission. The District Election Officers prepared District SVEEP Plans in line with the State SVEEP Plan and materialized every bit of it with relentless implementation at fields. Organizationally, a very senior Officer in the district of the rank of Additional District Magistrate was in charge of the implementation of voters’ education programmes in the districts aptly aided by the District Nodal Officer of SVEEP. Joint Block Development Officer was designated the Block Nodal Officer responsible for implementation of SVEEP programme, following the precedent of the previous general election in 2014.

Creating Content for Campaign Content material for SVEEP campaign had been developed primarily at the State level for print / outdoor / electronic media integrating campaign motives for the General Assembly Elections, 2016. Many districts, however, also developed campaign material specific to its priorities and requirements. In the campaign material were integrated different campaign motives: increasing turn-out, in particular turn out of women voters, ethical and inducement free voting, facilitating and informing voters of essentials of election etc. The same motif were reflected equally prominently in district campaign material which were duly approved before it went for advertisement.

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 131 Campaign Motives It was planned that the outdoor campaign would be launched in two phases. In the first phase, campaign would be launched with a view to providing basic information to left-out electors so that they could get themselves registered in the electoral rolls. The scope of campaign had two basic components: 1. Having EPICs is not enough. In order to Vote, One must have one’s name in the Electoral Roll 2. Knowing electoral details and information about Polling Stations 3. Voters’ Helpline Services The National Voters’ Day, 2016 was the big event before which the primary thrust of campaign had been enrolment of left out eligible persons. Closer to the Poll, the campaign had a distinct emphasis on ethical voting, increasing overall

turn out, increasing female turnout and turn-out of youth combating urban apathy in urban and metropolitan areas. Within the frame of these objectives, there were subtle variations: messages are addressed to the youth, women, young ladies, electors showing rural-urban variations and electors at large motivating them to vote. The campaign material was specifically designed taking into consideration the target audience it was meant to address.

General Elections to 132 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016 Informing Voters There were also materials which were meant to disseminate important information to the voters. Two distinct prototypes had been developed on two important IT interventions in the state during present Legislative Assembly Elections namely SAMADHAN and SUVIDHA. They are broadly designed to describe the objectives as well as the processes on filing complaints and obtaining permission for holding meetings/permissions etc. Significantly, in all formats of outdoor campaign, voters’ helpline services had been integrated for information of voters.

Motivating Voters A major thrust of the campaign was laid on motivating voters to vote on the day of Poll. The primary thrust was, indeed, addressing the entire universe of voters in different segments forming the target viewers.S ince the majority of the electorate resided in villages, content material had to have in it appropriate moorings such that it could have a universal appeal to all the sections of the voters. Similarly, prototypes were developed keeping in mind the young voters, women voters, young women voters. Urban apathy of voting had been nicely captured in some of these themes.

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 133 Ethical Intent Vote din Nirbhoye, Bibechonar sathe (Vote fearlessly and judiciously) had been the tagline that permeated all formats of mass communication: visual, audio and audio-visual. In outdoor material, three specific designs were developed. In one, the protagonist, a common man, rejects the lure of money and decides to vote by pressing button in the Electronic Voting Machine. Captured in stark black and white detail, the impression that the image creates is immediate, captivating the essence of inducement free voting. The two aspects of ethical campaign-influence of money and muscle powers in elections tarnishing voters’ ethical choice- have been captured in another, now in the garb of animations. Animation formats were used in this elections specifically in campaign on ethical themes as a part of communication strategy. Thus, Ananya, the State mascot, appears against a background which tells a story in symbolic details: kites symbolizing temptation, animosity, fear all dip and fall back to earth while the kite which symbolizes democracy flutters alone and flies upward in the sky.

State Mascot Since there were no brand ambassadors for SVEEP at the State level, the character of Ananya- a young, newly enrolled voter of eighteen years- was developed to advocate the cause of voting. We had our tryst with Anandababu, the State mascot during General Elections to the West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2011 which was a great success. Ananya was introduced during the last Lok Sabha Elections, 2014 featuring in both outdoor and Radio campaign, albeit in a modest way. In the present elections, Ananya was, in fact, the face of SVEEP campaign at state and district levels. Her presence was conspicuous in outdoor, newspaper, Radio as well as television campaign. Ananya featured singularly in at least two designs of outdoor campaign materials but her presence was visible in every piece of advertisement

General Elections to 134 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016 material. In Radio campaign, two audio spots were developed for establishing the concept and image of Ananya. But her presence was felt in other audio spots as well. Ananya was pervasive in all the audio-visual spots that were built in animation format.

Districts, on their parts, developed their own mascots which represented unique cultural traits of respective districts in a refreshing variety. Every mascot bore its own distinctive flavour fully exploited by the districts in making the connect with the voters of the district. More of district mascots we will come to know when we discuss SVEEP activity in districts. Communication Strategies: Outdoor Campaign We ingrained in the State SVEEP Plan Information-Motivation-Facilitation strategies to open a dialogue with the voters and continue with it till the elections were over. We discovered from our collective experience that the great benefit of going big on outdoor campaign was that it were always a great morale booster: it enhanced the confidence of voters. Outdoor Campaign was, thus, taken up on a substantially large scale taking the cue of the Special Continuous Updation programme of Electoral Rolls and the NVD. While the campaign motif for registration in electoral rolls of the left-out voters continued for some time since the state wide Special Continuous Updation programme was in progress, motives of campaign, designed for conduct of elections, gradually took the centre-stage. SVEEP Strategies were devised keeping the campaign motif, method and context in consideration: • We booked all advertisement space available in the districts under the control of I &CA Department/PWD/Other Government Departments from the date of announcement of elections till the completion of the election process. • We made a comprehensive plan for booking rented space keeping in view the allocations for outdoor campaign.

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 135 SVEEP Objectives Campaign Motif Campaign Method Context Turn-out of Voters Hoarding General : Icon Turn-out of Voters Hoarding Rural Turn-out of Voters Hoarding Rural: Icon Increasing Overall Turn-out of Women Voters Hoarding General : Icon Turn-Out of Voters Turn-Out of Women Voters Hoarding Rural Turn-Out of Young Women Voters Hoarding / Posters Urban Turn-Out of Young Voters Hoarding /Posters General Online Complaint Management System: Hoarding General SAMADHAN Citizens’ Interface Methodology Poster General SUVIDHA Methodology Poster : General General Inducement free Voting Hoarding General Inducement free Voting: Icon Hoarding General Ethical Voting Inducement free Voting: Icon Hoarding General Inducement free Voting: Cartoon Hoarding General

Alongside what was happening in the districts, the CEO Office was coordinating with State Government Departments like the Information and Cultural Affairs andT ransport Departments to optimize the presence of the Commission. Similarly, Central Government Ministries like the Railways, PSU Banks were roped in to maximize Commission’s presence in the public space. Timing was critical. Efforts were made to ensure that all forms of advertisement, including outdoor campaign, should go public in Kolkata and districts immediately after the schedule of elections were announced. Preparatory arrangements such as requisitioning/booking of advertisement space, printing of

Communication Means Methods Activity Prominent Places: Road Junctions /Markets /Offices of Cities / towns (H/B) Collector’s Office ( H) SDM Office (H) Hoarding /Banners Block/Municipality Office ( H) Office (H/B) Railways Stations/Bus Terminus/Markets/Malls (H) Universities /Colleges ( H/P) All Polling Stations Outdoor Campaign Poster All HS /Secondary Schools/Colleges Auto-Rickshaw/TOTO and Public Transport : Bus/Trucks etc Stickers : Surface Audio Campaign at Bus Terminus Transport Tram Branding Wall Writing On Issues of basic DM Office/SDO Office/Block Office electoral literacy Boats/Launches through water transport routes : Kolkata/ Campaign at Routes Howrah/North 24 Parganas /Hooghly/Malda and other of Water Transport districts

General Elections to 136 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016 campaign material and its distribution were completed in line with the plan and the time table developed for the purpose. An interesting dimension to this was added in Kolkata when Calcutta Tramways Corporation (CTC) was tied in partnership mode. CTC buses and trams meandered across the city of joy spreading messages of joyful celebration of voting. The visibility was high, the impact was good with different stakeholders, the political parties and media, giving us a good feedback on the scale, magnitude and quality of campaign. Electronic Media Electronic media was utilized on a hitherto unprecedented scale to bring home messages of the Election Commission. This had always been a very important vehicle of mass communication since a large part of household audience continued to get glued to electronic media in some form or other, starting with the public broadcasters such as the All India Radio and Doordarshan and then pervading all major channels on audio-visual platform. It was an information implosion taking place for a period immediately after announcement of elections till the two days prior to the final poll day.T he vehicles of communication included Radio FM channels, Private News

Networks, Private Entertainment Networks, Metro Railways, and Audio- Visual display boards at the disposal of government and public sector bodies. Obviously, the major share of this activity was coordinated at the State level. However, districts also had their own shares to play.

The audio-spots were developed primarily at the State level, integrating themes of turn-out and ethical voting.

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 137 With these, were theme specific information bouts on SAMADHAN and SUVIDHA. Some of them revolved round the character of Ananya, the State Icon who was the face of the Commission during the General Assembly Elections. The same radio spots were extensively broadcast in All India Radio and Radio FM channels. Quite a number of audio-visual spots were developed for telecast through Doordarshan / Private News Channels / Private Entertainment Channels/ Digital Display Board. The spots were developed with following motives running underneath:

Campaign Motif Activity Campaign method Context Walk Through to the Polling Station Voters’ Education Animation : Icon Polling Station Walk Through on Voters’ Slips On Facilitation of Voters Ethical Choice Animation : Icon On Way to Polling Station Inducement free Voting I Ethical Campaign Inducement free Voting II Chhau General Inducement free Voting III Pledging General Vote Is Round the Corner Pencil Art Drawing General Turn Out Best Use of EPIC Animation Graphics General My Story Shoot General Differently Able Voters Turn-Out/Ethical Choice Shoot Differently Able Voters

The Audio-Visual Spots were extensively used through local cable television networks in the run-up to the elections.

Supplementing these efforts, Doordarshan also developed three spots which they telecast with an impressive frequency. The airtime produced was 1350 minutes over 13 news, entertainment and movie channels. RADIO Campaign Radio FM channels developed audio spots for us. Audio Spots were developed after rounds of discussions with the Radio FM companies. Motives of turn-out, women turn-out, young voters’ turn-out, SAMADHAN, ethical voting were integrated in styles characteristic of Radio communication.

Motive Radio Spots Thrust area Underpinning broad themes of election through ANANYA, Introducing State Mascot ANANYA 2 the State mascot Turn-out of Voters 2 Voting is your Right and Duty as citizen Turn-out of Women Voters 2 Appeal to Young and Women Voters Turn-out of Young Voters 2 Appeal to Young Voters Ethical and Inducement free voting 3 Inducement free The System, nature of complaints, how to lodge complaints, SAMADHAN 2 procedure of submission of complaints.

The audio spots were repeated with an impressive frequency. There was a logic behind the broadcast schedule. Across the nine Radio FM channels, broadcast was to be made of 9 spots for first 15 days, 15 spots for the next 30 days, and 9 spots again for the last 15 days, the total span of broadcast being 60 days starting right from the day next to the date of announcement of elections. Total estimated consumption of airtime was 2185 minutes. Important value additions were made to the regular broadcast of audio-spots following the precedent of the previous General Elections: • Radio Jockey mention about events of election • Discussion on important issues with Election Officials Output of Radio Campaign: 2350 minutes of radio spots spread over 9 FM channels and All India Radio for 60 days.

General Elections to 138 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016 Communication through traditional means Public Announcements Following strong tradition of SVEEP activities in districts, Public announcements were made effectively coupled communication through traditional means came out with distribution of leaflets sharing important quite effective. Below are described some of these information on elections. It was a cost-effective time-tested strategies which were deployed effectively communication strategy particularly in rural areas by during the WBLA Elections, 2016. campaigning through non-motorized vans charting through the labyrinth of rural roads. DEOs developed Tableau content material of announcements and leaflets. Tableauwere set in motion such that it roamed across districts for a continuous stretch of time generating awareness among the voters. Along with spreading basic information related to poll such as the date and time of poll, use of EVMs/VVPATs, a number of concurrent activities were converged as it meandered across the towns and villages;

DEOs’ Appeal letters: We continued with the strategies of the last Lok Sabha Elections of distributing DEOs’ Appeal letters to voters in identified Polling Station areas where turn-out had been traditionally low. Developing Songs / Plays using traditional folk art forms In the State, we have a rich tradition of indigenous campaign material which was culture sensitive and so widely accepted in every nook of the districts. During the last General Elections and also successive Summary Revision Exercises, folk arts like Chhau dance in Purulia, Gambhira in Malda, Baul in districts like Bankura, Nadia, Purbo Medinipur and Bhawaia in Coochbehar had been widely utilized for voters’ awareness campaigns. Districts developed campaign materials on their own which were in turn approved by the CEO Office.

• EVM Demonstration • Distribution of leaflets: DEOs’ Appeal letters • Audio-Campaign through audio spots on elections • Audio-visual creative spots on elections • EPIC Search facilities • Human Interventions

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 139 Using Cable Television networks institutions of higher education to motivate young electors to get registered and vote. Widely extensive cable television networks run through the districts reaching out to nearly all its villages. As 2. cultural programmes were organized at district a part of the policy, cable television networks were / sub-divisional / block headquarters presenting effectively tapped to reach out to the distant voters in themes of electoral participation. the villages. A number of methods were prescribed for 3. Pledge taking/ Signature Campaigns were other adoption by districts: techniques of mass-contacts. – information dissemination through cable television Interpersonal Contacts scrolls – telecast of Audio-Visual Spots through cable Keeping in perspective the twin objectives of turn-out televisions and ethical voting, a number of communication strategies were prescribed. However, in terms of instructions of – interactions/ Interviews on strategic issues like MCC/ the Commission, interpersonal communication was Confidence building mandated to be completed sufficiently in advance before the actual poll day in the districts. Through BLOs Voters’ Information Slips contained messages on Appeal for Voting on the reverse side of the voters’ information slips. It was ensured that Voters’ Information Slips were distributed to all the electors in time. Sector Officers Mass Mobilizing Communication Strategies We made an officer accountable at the Block level to It was part of the State SVEEP plan that districts would supervise implementation of SVEEP at block level. take up a number of mass-contact programmes to Moreover, the Sector Officers were apprised of the spread messages of participation loud and clear. It was targets for improvement in Voters’ Turn Out in respect of thought that it might happen in many forms: his Polling Stations and motivated voters whenever they 1. Educational Institutions: Seminars and Work- had the opportunity to come in contact with the voters. shops were organized in Colleges, Universities and Through Field Functionaries Field functionaries of departments like P&RD, Women and Child Welfare, Health & Family Welfare, Youth Affairs, and Civil Defence- SHGs, ICDS workers, ASHA workers, Block Youth Affairs and Civil Defence Volunteers- were mobilized with the objective of reaching out to the households.

General Elections to 140 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016 Communication Strategy for Audio Visual Medium Motive Audio-Visual Spots Communication Strategy Building up the tempo and the mood 2 Pencil Art/Graphics Turn-out of Voters 2 Graphics/A-V modules Turn-out of Women Voters 2 Graphics/A-V modules Turn-out of Young Voters 2 Graphics/A-V modules Facilitation of Voters 2 Animation/Graphics PWD Voters 1 A-V modules Ethical and Inducement free voting 3 Animation SAMADHAN 1 Interview Mode

District Campaign One interesting realization that dawned over officials implementing voter education programmes in the State and districts was the input that the campaign material could as well be developed at districts specific to its needs soaked in cultural traits and social milieu of the voters inhabiting these districts. This election saw creativity mutating itself in an ever-refreshing variety. The District Election Officers developed their own mascots to spearhead district campaigns:

Districts District Mascots Idea at Work Coochbehar Vochuda Common Voter clad in characteristic district attire Darjeeling Red Panda Red Panda symbolizing hills in Darjeeling Jalpaiguri Teesta The river flowing across the district Alipurduar Gendu One horned rhino in the dense district forests Uttar Dinajpur Votuda The district mascot of 2014 elections Dakshin Dinajpur Atreyi The famous river in the district Malda Fajli Babu Malda and mangoes are synonymous Nadia Vote Gopal The historically popular courtier, Gopal Bhnarh North 24 Parganas EPIC Man The Universal VOTER with EPIC South 24 Parganas Baghu The Royal Bengal Tiger is characteristic of the district Kolkata South Chumkey and Rajia A Young Voter of 18 Burdwan Vottu The Voter at Work Howrah Bantul The iconic comical character symbolizing truth and power Paschim Medinipur Dhamsa The tribal Voter beating the drum Differently Able Voter on Purbo Medinipur Special Intervention of the district Wheels Bankura Madol Santali Band Birbhum Ektara Voter in the land of the Bauls ( folk artists) Purulia Voteswar The Voter and the God: Voteswar

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 141 General Elections to 142 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016 Mascots were, however, only the face of the district Medinipur and Purulia districts developed theme songs campaign. Districts created campaign materials, logo and especially on the occasion of the general assembly taglines prolifically pervading all media of expression: elections which remained district specific innovations. outdoor, radio, scripted narratives and audio-visuals. Adding feather to it, District Election Officer, Coochbehar Many districts like Purulia, Burdwan, Nadia, Jalpaiguri, developed an audio-visual film in sign language to Coochbehar, Darjeeling, Howrah and Kolkata South communicate to the voters who were hearing impaired. developed a whole range of material centering round The variety with which the District mascots were district mascots which they displayed widely alongside deployed and the penetration it achieved among the campaign material developed at the CEO Office. voters are astounding, showing its potential as a tool DEO, Coochbehar scripted a play which spoke lucidly of mass communication. Cataloguing its use in districts about issues on electoral literacy. Similarly, DEO, Kolkata might outstretch the scope of the present study. We South captured in audio-visual format some essential record below the two best practices of Howrah and information about Poll. DEO, Coochbehar, Darjeeling Kolkata South electoral districts. and Jalpaiguri developed short audio-visual snippets exhorting voters to vote. On the other hand, District Election Officers of Burdwan, Nadia, Birbhum, Purbo

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 143 Women being the one primary targets to reach out • Chumki and Razia interacted with the voters and in the urban-metropolitan context of Kolkata, the motivated them to vote; District Election Officer created women protagonists • Signature campaign were organised in different to spearhead district campaign. He developed live strategic locations to attract people; mascots Chumkey and Razia to reach out to the voters. The protagonists generated awareness across different • Advertisement through billboard and hoardings of sections of the society and enhanced the awareness Live Mascot were circulated; level of voters. Following strategies were developed. • Fever FM was selected as Radio Partner. The dialogue • Extensive live shows with canter in different between Chumki and Razia with messages to vote shopping mall; was aired.

Messages on Ethical Voting were given a unique comic turn when it were voiced through the persona of Nante and Fonte, the comedy duo who went a long way to defeat surreptitious designs of keltu to influence voting by money and muscle.T he messages were told in a comic vein characteristic of Shri Narayan Debnath, who created these comic strips for district administration.

Information and Communication SVEEP Campaign was being mounted for quite a time past with issues of electoral registration brought to the fore since the Summary Revision Exercise. It got a fillip on the occasion of the National Voters’ Day when the focus of campaign was more on inducing left out persons to get enrolled in the electoral rolls and the already enrolled electors to find whether their names exist and where they exist in the electoral rolls. With elections announced, the focus shifted to the core issues of elections for a greater turn-out and informed and inducement free voting. Districts went agog with SVEEP campaign optimizing all feasible avenues of communication. In line with communication strategy, the districts stressed on outdoor campaign through big hoardings and banners primarily, at locations with big footfall. DEOs earmarked locations beforehand and hoisted the publicity material to attract public gaze.

Uniformly, all districts distributed appeal letters in the form of pamphlets to voters, particularly in areas where turn- out had been low in previous general elections. Most of the districts resorted to the time-tested practice of generating awareness through LPG cylinders. All districts resorted to traditional communication tools such as campaign through canter, distribution of leaflets, public announcements and staging nukkad nataks, puppet shows, and folk songs to induce voters to vote fearlessly and judiciously.

The audio spots developed by the Chief Electoral Officer’s office were utilized interspersed with DEOs’ messages being

General Elections to 144 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016 broadcast through tableau roaming across the districts disclosing information to voters. The e-portal developed for more than a month. Cable television networks telecast by District Election Officer, Nadia was a nice, voter DEO’s appeal to voters in an impressive regularity. The friendly intervention for reaching out to voters. District important parts of the DEOs’ messages were beamed in Helplines were operational, while Voters’ Facilitation scrolls throughout the day. In districts like Coochbehar, Centers were active in district, sub-division and block Nadia and Burdwan, DEOs appeared before the voters headquarters. through cable television live with phone-in facility for Continuing with the precedent successfully launched interaction with the viewers. during the last Lok Sabha Elections, 2014, the District Many districts like Kolkata North, Paschim Medinipur, Election Officer, Burdwan implemented Queue Burdwan and North 24 Parganas beamed SVEEP Management System. An elector, accessing the system, messages through giant sized LED screens located at could know the name of the Polling Station and the important road junctions. number of persons standing in Queue at that polling stations at any time, on the day of poll during the Hooghly District had more than 50 Railway Stations poll hours, so that an elector could cast her vote in spread across the District and everyday almost 7 Lakh accordance with her convenience. The number of the of people commute on railways. With an eye to reach Queue Management System was 9664172929. such a large number of people, District authority has tied up with Eastern Railway, Howrah Division to play Mass Mobilizing Initiatives the Audio-spots on Ethical Voting along with other voters’ appeals through the public address system in the Districts planned to organize a series of mass-contact railway stations. programmes in the run-up to elections. All conventional modes of mass mobilizing activity were explored and In all this outburst of information, local newspapers they were able to galvanize a large section of citizens, in districts played its role starting with poll related inducing them to vote and vote ethically. Many of these information, observers’ details and DEOs’ press releases initiatives included large awareness drives, signature and publicizing every bit of activity in the state. campaign, street drama, programmes for distribution of Sankalpa Patras in educational institutions, rallies, puppet Accent on facilitation of Voters shows and many others which were conceptualized and Facilitation of voters was one of the basic tenets of implemented with a lot of passion and creativity. SVEEP Campaign in districts. While massive outdoor and electronic media campaign contributed, to a large extent, generation of information facilitating voters to access services available for them, District Election Officers embraced a number of initiatives which brought election machinery closer to the voters. Nearly all districts developed their own applications, other than applications mandated from CEO Office, proactively

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 145 Vote Mitra Darjeeling 'Vote Mitra Darjeeling’ is an android app developed for voters of Darjeeling district and is the first-of-its-kind. The app has brought entire election-related information which any stakeholder may need on a single platform. Access to any information, be it locating the polling booth or seeking information about EPIC card, or simply intending to replicate some good practices would be just a touch away. Any person using smartphone gets access to all such information which was previously available only in the precincts of government. The android application could be downloaded from Google play store. The app witnessed 1300+ downloads.

The app had following features: • Locate Polling Station: The polling station name or number (in full or in part) could be entered to search a particular polling station. The polling station is immediately reflected on a map with BLO details. Directions to the map can also be easily searched through the ‘Get Directions’ feature of the app. • Search EPIC Information: Any EPIC number (of Darjeeling district) could be entered and the app would provide complete EPIC details (like name, address, polling booth etc.). The directions to one’s polling station could also be searched here. • Suvidha and Samadhan: The app provides quick access to Suvidha and Samadhan websites of the Election Commission of India • General Information: The section provides information on Model Polling Stations, Polling Stations with Women Polling Personnel, Assembly Constituencies and Contact Details of Election Officials. • Send a Video/Picture or Text to DEO: Anyone at one-touch can provide a picture, video or text message to the District Election Officer is he/she wants to inform the authorities about anything of urgent public importance related to elections • Know Your Election: The section provides access to DEO’s Appeal, EVM and VVPAT information, SVEEP material, Training Material for Polling Personnel, SMS details to know EPIC information and FAQs • One touch Contacts Bar: There is a one touch bar on the main dashboard to contact District Election Office. The app also had push reminder messages so that messages could be flashed on all those who downloaded the app.

In another mass contact programme, Selfie/ Groupfie Contest was organized in the district. A person alone/ in a group could take selfie/Groupfie with anySVEE P material along with the suitable caption and post it in the Facebook page of Darjeeling Nirvachan. The picture getting the highest Likes was declared the winner of the Intensive 2 day programme in Darjeeling was organized contest. in order to prepare both the first time voters and voters The event helped in publicizing all the SVEEP materials who have been voting in the past. A number of intensive and the messages regarding election were spread in an activities were taken up in the weekend on 2nd and 3rd innovative manner. April that was just a fortnight before the actual election date in Darjeeling district with partner organizations like In Jalpaiguri district, signature campaigns were schools & colleges, health department, NGOs and other organized throughout the district. Signature of voters line departments. Some target specific programs such from all sections of society were taken while the voters as inter college Quiz competition, marathon, poster pledged that they would cast their votes without fear or drawing poem writing competition, pledge reading inducement. Signature campaigns were conducted at were organized at various locations. Health camps were Tea Gardens, Educational Institutions, in private hotels organized focusing on senior citizens and ensure their and restaurants, in Tableaus, and during cricket matches participation. held on the occasion of National Voters’ Day and

General Elections to 146 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016 elections. 40,000 Sankalpa Patras were distributed to completing on P-7 day: school children of Primary schools to obtain their parents’ Day 1: Cycle Rally signature which would act as an assurance to vote. The District Inspector of Schools played the coordinating Day 2: candle March role in distribution and collection of Sankalpa Patras. Day 3: Debate in College/University Special mass awareness camps involving women SHG members, ASHA and ICDS workers were organized in Day 4: Drawing competition (Age group: 16-25) different parts of the district where the participation of Day 5: Performance by folk artists female voters was found really encouraging. Seminars on young voters’ awareness and basic electoral literacy Day 6: slogan writing competition were arranged at Suri Vidyasagar and Bolpur Colleges Day 7: Awareness camp with the laborers of where students and teachers actively participated in the unorganized sectors. question-answer session after enjoying a power-point presentation on facets of election management. Districts In Coochbehar district, Run for Democracy was organized also took initiatives to spread messages of Election from April 4th to April 8th covering all the 9 assembly Commission by organizing pledge-taking events and constituencies of the district for promoting ethical mass signature campaign programmes. In several voting. Starting from the first assembly Constituency Blocks of the district such as Sainthia, Bolpur, Illambazar, 1- Mekhliganj(SC)AC ,this run, led by the respective Suri-I, Suri-II, Md. Bazar, Nalhati and Rampurhat, Baul ROs moved through all the assembly constituencies songs were the primary vehicle of spreading messages carrying the message of ethical voting and free and of the Election Commission. Similarly street plays and fair elections. On the final lap, the Returning Officer of public rallies were organised with display of banners AC-4-Coochbehar South handed over the torch to DM and posters on SVEEP accompanied, simultaneously, & District Election Officer who further lit a bigger flame with distribution of leaflets bearing messages of District with the torch at Rajbari Stadium, Coochbehar. Election Officers. Chhou Dance were also tried in some places of the district which were immensely popular District Initiatives for Special category of among the voters across the ages. Voters:

In Burdwan district, the district administration In line with State SVEEP plan, DEOs took up a number celebrated SVEEP WEEK a week long programme for of initiatives for ensuring greater and meaningful spreading messages of ethical voting. The SVEEP week participation of differently able electors. In Burdwan offered a bouquet of activities to the voters of the district district, awareness drives were launched to impart

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 147 orientation to deaf and dumb voters at Dr. Sailendranath Mukherjee Muk-o-Bodhir Vidyalay, Burdwan. A Special Awareness programme was arranged with the help of special interpreters wherein the messages of casting votes freely without inducement were deliberated. Similar awareness campaigns were organized in the district wherein, inter alia, instructions in Braille script were provided to the visually impaired voters promoting quality voting.

As a standard practice, wheelchairs were provided to voters following the list of such persons provided voters suffering from physical infirmities in all districts by district authorities for informing them about the of the state. In district like Kolkata North and Howrah, arrangements available at the Polling Stations on where due to paucity in space, polling stations had to the poll day. be located in first and second floors, volunteers drawn • Camps were set up for visually impaired voters from the civil defense and NCC cadets ported physically to orient them such that they could know the impaired voters to the polling stations from the ground candidates’ name and serial numbers in the EVMs by floor. Braille system. A unique SVEEP activity was organized in collaboration • Wheel Chairs were provided at all polling Stations. with partner civil society organization Sanjeevani CSO Volunteers helped the physically handicapped Palliative Care Society in Nadia district with the objective voters with those chairs so that they could that all the differently able voters could cast their votes comfortably reach inside the Polling Stations. smoothly without any hazard. • Not only had the differently able voters, ill and aged • CSO volunteers visited the house of differently able voters also got assistance from the volunteers.

General Elections to 148 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016 Special SVEEP Initiatives in Districts

Going beyond what is normal and straight jacketed, As a part of SVEEP strategy, educational institutions were DEOs innovated freely to touch the finer threads of approached by district officials who organized seminars voters’ education. Some of these best practices are and camps there to connect to the students. In Nadia recounted below: district, seminars were arranged at every college in the district to encourage the youth to get enrolled and vote. Coochbehar had been one of the front runner districts In one such seminar at Krishnagar Womens’ Colleges, in coming up with a bouquet of innovations widely the function was attended by the Hon’ble Awareness accepted by the voters. The district set up an Election Observer himself along with District Election Officer Museum that showcased treasures of election related who interacted freely and gave away prizes to students items and historical documents. Replica of a Model who successfully answered queries asked to them by Polling Station drew in vivid details the poll procedure the Observer and the District Election Officer. Pledges and illustrated how an EVM and the VVPAT machine were administered to the students after the close of the worked. Maze game was another district specific seminar. innovation attracting young college students to discover the joy of learning elections. DEO, Coochbehar also In another path breaking initiative, DEO, Hooghly made organized special SVEEP initiatives for the enclave voters attempts to keep SVEEP campaign green. The usage who voted for the first time in an election fraught with of eco-friendly means for communication was insisted historical significance. upon. As visual object for communicating message, paper made posters, large stickers were mostly used. One fine example of reaching out to voters was appealing In an innovative move, Jute Fabric was largely used as to them in a language they understand best. DEO, material for printing banners and hoardings. This had Darjeeling thus transformed the messages originally been done in partnership with IJIRA, Kolkata. Though scripted in Bengali in Nepali language so that it could be a beginning only was made in this direction, keeping in accessed by the larger Nepali speaking population in the mind the budget, other conventional materials could district. Similarly, DEO, Paschim Medinipur converted not be dispensed. Alongside, eco-friendly battery- the same messages in Alchiki script for facilitating and run vehicles, TOTO were used across the assembly motivating tribal voters in the district. constituencies, instead of Auto to spread the message of eco-friendly elections. Using SVEEP campaign to assess depth of vulnerability in voters in Jalpaiguri district, special Inland letters had been Ria Sarkar, a transgender person and Assistant Teacher designed and distributed to voters of vulnerable pockets, in Prachya Bani Mandir in Dumdum, Kolkata acted including a few Tea Gardens in order to encourage them as Presiding Officer in South City International School to submit their suggestions and complaints. This worked Polling Station in160-Rashbehari AC. The initiative generated a lot of enthusiasm and was hailed as on the principle that the villagers might speak out when one of the finest examples of social engineering. In requested to write their unvoiced fears and suggestions. another district, Manabi Mukhopadhyay, the Principal The inland letters were distributed sometime during the of Women’s College at Krishnagar in the district of route march of the CAPF. A drop Box was also kept at the Nadia also took an active interest in furthering Election BDO offices where in voters could submit their letters. Commission’s messages of ethical voting in the run-up The letters had been designed in English, Bengali and to the elections. Hindi languages. Proposing for Green and Clean Election in ecologically North 24 Parganas district introduced the concept fragile Sunderban areas was a unique concept to start of Vote Bandhu in which two persons were identified with. There were 13 assembly constituency segments in in each AC for every 20-25 Polling Stations who were the Sunderban regions. Here, for campaign, no plastic electors in those Polling Stations with no known political materials were used, including banners and hoardings connections for creating better visibility amongst displayed by political parties. LPG vehicles were used in electors. On the day of poll, their services may be utilized the 139 Canning Purba AC as part of this green initiative. in the VAB (Voters Assistance Booth) to help infirm and Usually the vehicular arrangement for any election is aged voters, voters with infants, and special category planned with locally available vehicles while in some of voters. Civil Defense volunteers had primarily been cases, some heavy vehicles are also used. As part of engaged as Vote Bandhu in the district. green initiative, Green Auto Rickshaws (LPG) were used.

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 149 Facilitation Facilitation was integral to SVEEP campaign in the state. In all media of expression that included outdoor, radio and television campaign, facilitation motives were ingrained. Supplementing them, a number of campaign modules were entirely dedicated to the motif of facilitation of voters. Along with State wide campaign, districts developed their unique campaign motives to facilitate voters in the run-up to elections.

Call Centre • 1950, the country wide toll free number, was in operation since the Summary Revision of Electoral Rolls, 2016. It was widely circulated through website, newspaper advertisements, televisions, Radio FMs and other means of publicity campaign. • Call Centers at the CEO Office were manned by personnel who were given substantial training on issues related to conduct of elections and electoral roll management. At the Call Centre, one PRI connection was distributed between 5 dedicated computer linked receivers with facilities of hunting lines to districts. Joint CEO in charge of complaints was in charge of day-to-day supervision of the Call Centre. • Other than the State wide Help Line number, District toll-free Help line numbers were also functional in districts which were widely circulated through website, cable televisions, local newspaper advertisements, handbills and other means of publicity campaign in districts. • Search facilities in the website to know one’s electoral details remained functional. Wide publicity of search facility continued to be an integral part of the publicity campaign. • SMS: A voter could find out his name in the electoral roll and know about details such as part and serial numbers and his assembly constituency and polling station by triggering an SMS at designated numbers. • Polling Station Search Facility on GIS platform will continue to remain available at the website: adequate publicity will be made through print, electronic and other media. Voters’ Education Modules

A module was developed in association with the Roopkala Kendra in animation format on the subject of Voting. The module explains the procedure as well as the essentials of voting when seen from the point of view of the voters.

General Elections to 150 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016 Accent on facilitation of Voters in districts: there, male-female voter ratio, and voter turnout report of the previous elections. They could also check the Facilitation of voters was one of the basic tenets of approximate distance and time required to reach from SVEEP Campaign in districts. While massive outdoor one Polling Station to another by setting one as start and electronic media campaign contributed, to a large and the other as end point, laying before the voter the extent, generation of information facilitating voters alternate routes to reach the Polling Stations. The portal to access services available for them, District Election displayed nearest hospitals, Police headquarters, Block Officers embraced a number of initiatives which offices and District Office. SVEEP campaign material such brought election machinery closer to the voters. Nearly as the theme song of election, district election mascot all districts developed their own applications, other than (Vote Gopal) encouraging people to cast their vote were applications mandated from CEO Office, proactively also available there. Photo gallery of the activities of disclosing information to voters. The e-portal developed election managers from different corners of the district by District Election Officer, Nadia was a nice, voter was available there. For the more serious voters, ECI friendly intervention for reaching out to voters. District guidelines were just a click away. Helplines were operational, while Voters’ Facilitation Centers were active in district, sub-division and block Bitaran Sahayak application in Kolkata headquarters. South Electoral District Queue Management System in Burdwan Bitaran Sahayak, an Android Application was developed to help the voters reach out to district administration Continuing with the precedent successfully launched in case they had not received photo voters’ slip. The during the last Lok Sabha Elections, 2014, the District application was downloadable from the Google Play Election Officer, Burdwan implemented Queue Stores. The application was available also to the BLO Management System. An elector, accessing the system, who had android mobile phone. An intimation was could know the name of the Polling Station and the sent to the BLO to deliver the voter slip as soon as the number of persons standing in Queue at that polling request was generated from the application. 14903 no. stations at any time, on the day of poll during the of downloads were made from this application. poll hours, so that an elector could cast her vote in accordance with her convenience. The number of the The basic purpose of introducing the mobile application Queue Management System was 9664172929. was to ensure availability of voter slips to citizens of Kolkata South District. If voters did not receive voter Web Portal in Nadia: nadiaelection2016.in slips from the BLO, she could request for voter slip to District Election Officer, Nadia came up with a people- the District Election Officer. An intimation was sent to t-citizen interface in its web portal where citizens could the BLO to deliver the voter slip as soon the request fetch important information regarding elections such was generated from the application. The application as the contact numbers of DEO, Observers, ROs, AROs, was downloadable from the Google play store or http:// Sector Officers, Nodal Officers, Zonal Magistrates, Police deokolkatasouth.co.in. administration, Media personnel etc. Daily newspaper cuttings, video clippings related to election had also been uploaded. The web-portal offered a number of facilities for the voters. They could lodge complaints. They could find district maps where each Polling Station was located with the information of basic facilities available

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 151 Partnership Initiatives under both categories in districts and also approximated cost on accounting of hiring of rent and incidental cost In line with Commission’s instructions, of hoisting of outdoor campaign material. Districts came Partnerships were developed with State and up with cost projections which helped in making district Non-State actors, eliciting their support in allocations under SVEEP. This was a very important furthering cause of democratic participation of component of activities preceding elections, since outdoor campaign was pivotal to SVEEP campaign at citizens in electoral processes namely electoral both state and district levels. registration and elections. Another area for harnessing collaborative efforts was Partnership initiatives had been a bulwark of SVEEP earmarked quite early. This was developing content strategies during last few Revision programmes as in association with Doordarshan and All India Radio, during the Parliamentary Elections, 2014. The Plan for the Public Broadcasters. Doordarshan and All India WBLA elections was developed with a clear intent on Radio developed quite a good number of spots which developing broad base partnerships with Government they broadcast supplementing the official broadcast departments, Corporations, PSU Banks and organizations schedule, thus adding up a significant value addition to to further efforts of reaching out to voters. the programme. Different expectations were charted from partner However, the singularly important partnership initiative organizations. Partner organizations were classified taken up at the state level was collaboration with the broadly under categories such as State Government Calcutta Tramways Corporation (CTC). The public vehicles Departments, Corporations, Ministries/Departments which include trams, busses were worn with election of , financial institutions and messages meandering across city roads and major organizations including corporate as per standing pathways. This enhanced the visibility manifold, making instructions of the Commission. Meetings were held presence Commission’s presence most conspicuous in separately at CEO Office and at district headquarters recent general elections in the state. with partner organizations charting our vision and A really encouraging trend in this was proliferation expectations from the partner departments and of partnership initiatives at district and sub-district organizations and listening to their observations levels. In districts, District Election Officers met with and commitments in turn in implementing SVEEP departmental heads of government departments, programme in the state and districts. This was followed undertakings, PSU and Scheduled banks to mobilize with a formal letter from the Chief Electoral Officer support and resources for SVEEP campaign. One largely of the State to the heads of the Partner Organizations utilized field for mobilization was utilizing the public in which doable action points were crystallized. With space at the disposal of the departments, corporations the letter was handed over campaign material in soft and undertakings for SVEEP campaign. In districts version such that it could be effectively utilized in the such as the Kolkata South, Model Polling Stations were campaign. A relentless monitoring followed to keep a developed in partnership with PSU Banks. close supervision and see whether the outcomes were matching with expectations we had from our partner Doordarshan, Kolkata organizations. Development of audio-visual creative spots including At the State level, partnerships were developed with refurbishing of spots developed during last Lok Sabha a vision to substantially increase the presence of the Elections Election Commission through outdoor and electronic • Audio-Visual Campaign : transmission of audio- media campaign. The ground works started much before visual spots the elections were actually announced. Information and Cultural Affairs department, Public Works department, • Talk Shows Kolkata Municipal Corporations were requested to • Wide Programme Coverage in districts identify two different categories of spaces: one, public • Telecast of election related Information through space available at their administrative disposal which News Scrolls could be used for display of campaign material and secondly, space which could be used by hiring on • Telecast of Programmes in languages like Santhali/ rent. Similar exercises were undertaken at districts. The Nepali etc. District Election Officers ascertained space, available • Other Initiatives : Quiz/Online Competitions

General Elections to 152 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016 All India Radio, Kolkata of Campaign from the date of Announcement of • Transmission of audio-spots Elections in Kolkata and districts. • Interactive Sessions in different formats such as • Assessment of advertisement space which may be Youth / Women oriented programmes, Krishikathar booked for Campaign on the basis of rent in both Asore / Santhali Programme / Nepali Programme Kolkata and Districts. from Kurseong • Mobilizing folk artists in districts for producing • Special focus on Youth forums in broadcast songs and plays and presenting them in villages / towns on themes of ethical campaign and turn-out • Broadcast of election related information in snippets • Developing of theme-song for WBLA Elections, • Wide coverage of District and State News in the 2016. broadcast profile • Any other innovative programme such as Quiz/ Transport Department Competitions. • Outdoor Campaign with stickers on busses • Tram Branding State Government Departments • Boat Branding with audio facility : Boats/Lunches School Education Department through water transport routes in districts like Kolkata • Pledge to Vote and Vote Ethically / Howrah / North 24-Parganas / Hooghly/Malda • Signature Campaign in Primary Schools by parents • Using Public and Private Transport mechanisms for of school children Campaign through stickers • Display of Publicity material in the website of the • Audio Campaign at Bus Terminus School Education Department Public Works Department • Display of Students’ drawings / other participatory • Booking of all free (non-rented) advertisement space material in the school premises under the control of the Department for the purpose • Other initiatives of Students within the School of Campaign from the date of Announcement of premises as designed by the DEOs/ROs Elections in Kolkata and districts. Higher Education Department • Optional Utilization of the rentable advertisement • Enrolment of left-out eligible electors studying in space for campaign purpose. The advertisement educational institutions space so assessed may be made available to District Election Officers at the earliest. • Display of Publicity material in the website of the Higher Education Department Kolkata Municipal Corporation • Display of Publicity / other campaign material • Booking of all free (non-rented) advertisement related in the institutes of higher education space in the form of hoardings etc. under the control including colleges and universities of the KMC for the purpose of Campaign from the • Organizing seminars/workshops in association with date of Announcement of Elections in Kolkata. the NYKs and NSS organizations who are being • Utilization to an optimum extent the rentable separately intimated in this regard. advertisement space for campaign purpose. The Youth Affairs Department advertisement space so assessed may be made available to DEOs of Kolkata North and Kolkata • The NSS and NYKs may be optimally utilized for the South districts. purpose of election campaign. These organizations may be specifically instructed to organize Women, Child and Social Welfare Department workshops/seminars/plays in institutes of higher • Utilizing Hoarding/Advertisement space under its education in the state in close collaboration with the disposal for Election Campaign District Election Officers • Engaging ICDS Workers/SHG members for Information & Cultural Affairs Department interpersonal communication with voters as per • Booking of all free (non-rented) advertisement space directions and District SVEEP plans of the DEOs under the control of the Department for the purpose • Pledge to Vote and Vote Ethically by ICDS/SHG

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 153 members first.T hen they will motivate electors Districts in Partnership mode. residing within villages to Vote without exception • Partnership in Model Polling Stations • Other innovative means • Other initiatives: Display of A-V content on screens/ Home (Police) Department website. • Utilizing Hoarding/Advertisement space under its Budget for SVEEP and financial allocations disposal at Kiosks on Roads for Election Campaign SVEEP went big this general assembly election. Quite a • Playing Audio-Spots at Road Junctions number of activities were being taken up at the state and • Audio-Visual Campaign through digital display district levels with the avouched objectives of inclusive, Boards informed and ethical participation of voters. Financial allocations had to be commensurate with the volume of Food and Supply Department activities in operation at fields.T he SVEEP budget was • Distribution of DEOs’ leaflets through Fair Price prepared once the activity profile had been finalized in Shops line with the State SVEEP plan. As it had been designed, • Distribution of DEOs’ leaflets through Petrol Pumps the entire SVEEP activity profile in the state could be • Display of Campaign material at Fair Price Shops seen as broken up under a number of broad areas of activities: Eastern Railway, Kolkata • Content creation • Train Branding • Newspaper publications • Hoardings at major Railways Stations • Audio Campaign/Announcements in major Railways • State Campaign Stations. • District Campaign • Messages through electronic scroll in Railways Further, each of such broad activity areas were further Stations segmented into a number of smaller- often very detailed- • Scroll of information through electronic Time Table activity mosaic with financial allocations prescribed Display Board. against each of these activities. Thus, the State budget • Display of Election related Slogans on the reverse of SVEEP was arrived, taking into account the cumulative side of train tickets. summation of each head of activities marked under the activity profile. Metro Railways, Kolkata • Train Branding The first three of the four broad heads of activities were taken up at state level. The prototypes of campaign • Display of audio-visual in INCODA TV material, all major newspaper publications and the state • Display of Outdoor materials in Panels inside campaign were solely taken up by the CEO Office.T he Coaches volume of activities being substantially larger in districts, • Hoarding at major Metro Stations on standees the major share of SVEEP budget was earmarked for • Audio Campaign/announcements in major Metro districts. Stations One part of budget for district expenditure was the • Messages through electronic scroll inside Coaches element of innovation and experimentation. This • Other Initiatives from the Metro Railways furthering worked on the principle that there should be some the causes of voters’ education space for districts to work out their own strategies for reaching out to citizens in a manner that might not be Public Sector Banks spelt out in the plan but could be very effective in a • Outdoor Hoardings in Kolkata and Districts particular context. This turned out to be a very effective, • Display of outdoor material in banks through standy people-connect strategy. or other means The entire budget in all its specifics was approved by the • Audio-visual telecast of messages through television Finance Department in the State Government. • Transmission of WhatsApp messages in A-V format The Election Commission in the SVEEP division made • Organizing mass-mobilizing events in Kolkata and an allocation of Rs 1, 50, 00,000/- for implementation of

General Elections to 154 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016 SVEEP programme in the state. Of this, Rs. 1, 47, 00,000/- had been sub-allotted to districts in the run-up to elections. Monitoring and Evaluation A number of mechanisms were in place to exercise an incisive monitoring on SVEEP activities at both CEO Office and in districts. We mention some of these mechanisms. • Formation of State and district Core Committee: holding meetings of Core Committees regularly; • Designating officers not below the rank of Additional District Magistrate as Officer in charge of implementation of SVEEP programme in the district. Again, at the district level itself, an officer of the Deputy Collector will function as Nodal Officer steering the SVEEP activities in the district. • Designating Joint Block Development Officer at Blocks as Block Nodal Officer (Awareness) • Creating a WhatsApp group with ADMs-in-charge and Nodal Officers of SVEEP for day-to-day monitoring. • Video Conferencing with District Nodal Officers of SVEEP and Additional District Magistrates (SVEEP) • Meeting with Partner Agencies in the first week of February and then, as and when necessary.

Maintaining time-frame was key to implementation of SVEEP programme. Quite in the beginning, the SVEEP activity profile, charting State and district level responsibilities, was shared with the DEOs for compliance.

SVEEP Activity Profile State Level Activity

Campaign Activity Campaign Mode From TO Through I & CA/PWD/ Till the elections in the Static Outdoor 05.03.2016 CMC and Districts particular phase were over Radio Campaign at AIR including regional Till the elections in the Director, All India Radio 05.03.2016 AIR Centers in the State particular phase were over Till the elections in the Radio Campaign: Private Radio FMs By CEO Office, WB 05.03.2016 particular phase were over Additional Director, Till the elections in the Campaign through Doordarshan 05.03.2016 Doordarshan particular phase were over Electronic Media Campaign at Private Till the elections in the By CEO Office, WB 05.03.2016 News Channels particular phase were over Electronic Media Campaign at Private Till the elections in the By CEO Office, WB 05.03.2016 Entertainment Channels particular phase were over Till the elections in the Campaign through Metro Railways By CEO Office, WB 05.03.2016 particular phase were over Volvo/Other Bus Branding/Tram Branding/ Other forms of campaign Through CSTC/CTC in Till the elections in the 15.03.2016 through Surface Transport including partnership mode particular phase were over through stickers By CEO Office, WB, in Till the elections in the Campaign through Eastern Railways 05.03.2016 Partnership mode particular phase were over Till the elections in the Electronic display board By CEO Office, WB 05.03.2016 particular phase were over In Partnership Mode, with Mass SMS-ing By CEO Office, WB Phase-wise to all districts Private Mobile Networks

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 155 District Level Activity

Area of Activity Activity From TO

Content Development Content Creation By February Production of Campaign material / Hoisting/ 01.01.2016 Static Outdoor Campaign Pasting/Erecting/ Labour Charges etc 31.05.2016 Signage 15.03.2016 Public Announcements with distribution of leaflets

traditional Campaign Tableau (1@ each district) 01.03.2016 31.05.2016 methods Play acting

Other Means innovated by districts

Boat/Launch Branding (Wherever applicable) Non-traditional Campaign Tram / Bus Branding / Stickers on Auto/TOTO 01.02.2015 15.03.2015 methods Train Branding Electronic Display Board / Electronic Scroll at Electronic Media Railway Stations/ Bus Terminus 01.03.2016 15.05.2016 Cable Networks

Mobile Networking Reminder SMS On the Day of Poll Students’ Initiatives based in Universities and Colleges : Seminar/Human Chains/Mass Rally/ 01.02.2016 31.05.2016 Mass Mobilizing Initiatives Competitions/ Quiz etc Other Initiatives of Districts involving greater 01.03.2016 15.05.2016 Participation of Citizens Facilitation Initiatives District Helpline up to the Poll Day 01.03.2016 31.03.2016

Interpersonal Door to Door Visit by BLOs/ field functionaries 01.03.2016 15.04.2016 Communication Distribution of Appeal letters 15.04.2016 EVM Demonstration Intensive Demonstration Camps 01.3.2016 31.03.2016 Camps

Output Analysis

As the old saying goes, a tree is known by its fruits. Voters’ Turn Out is the first indicator to measure output of SVEEP efforts-state and districts together- that went into the making of the WBLA Elections, 2016. West Bengal has traditionally been a high turn-out state: high awareness of citizens together with motivation to vote, political mobilization and an ever vigilant press have contributed to the increased turn-out of voters over the years. It is convenient to start with the turn-out figures of the present General Elections to the West Bengal Legislative Assembly vis-à-vis Lok Sabha Elections, 2014 held two years back.

General Elections to 156 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016 Voters Turnout Name of the 2014 2016 Districts Male Female Third Total Male Female Third Total Turnout Turnout Gender Turnout Turnout Turnout Gender Turnout

COOCHBEHAR 81.72 84.51 0.00 83.05 84.60 87.63 50.00 86.05

ALIPURDUAR 82.52 85.54 9.09 83.99

JALPAIGURI 83.40 84.32 0.00 83.84 85.97 86.52 0.00 86.24

DARJEELING 80.68 79.08 0.00 79.89 78.26 77.77 0.00 78.02

UTTAR DINAJPUR 78.29 82.24 0.00 80.17 78.19 84.67 7.84 81.28

DAKSHIN DINAJPUR 84.94 85.69 0.00 85.30 84.64 87.79 8.00 86.15

MALDAHA 78.00 84.38 5.88 81.07 77.64 85.37 9.80 81.37

MURSHIDABAD 79.89 83.52 0.00 81.65 79.42 85.05 4.44 82.15

NADIA 83.65 85.67 0.00 84.62 83.59 87.20 21.13 85.33

NORTH 24 PARGANAS 84.38 81.24 4.23 82.86 83.55 80.43 25.00 82.03

SOUTH 24 PARGANAS 82.98 78.93 0.00 81.02 84.65 81.55 9.85 83.14

KOLKATA SOUTH 65.50 63.68 0.00 64.68 66.17 63.83 57.14 65.10

KOLKATA NORTH 67.16 66.05 50.00 66.67 65.27 62.98 33.33 64.25

HOWRAH 80.43 76.94 30.00 78.79 80.51 78.76 3.03 79.67

HOOGHLY 82.69 81.76 6.45 82.24 82.44 82.62 32.69 82.52

PURBO MEDINIPUR 85.15 88.14 31.03 86.58 84.84 89.70 29.63 87.17

PASCHIM MEDINIPUR 85.18 85.93 0.00 85.55 85.54 86.83 11.11 86.17

PURULIA 82.14 81.36 33.33 81.77 82.17 83.29 22.22 82.71

BANKURA 85.54 83.38 21.43 84.49 86.21 86.08 25.00 86.14

BARDHAMAN 84.14 82.18 18.18 83.21 83.74 82.64 16.67 83.21

BIRBHUM 86.53 83.91 0.00 85.26 85.38 84.33 18.18 84.87

State Total 82.36 82.04 6.55 82.20 82.42 83.22 17.28 82.80

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 157 As the turn out figures would suggest, the increase is manifest in all components: total turn-out, female turn-out and quite interestingly, in third gender turn-out. Female turn out vis-à-vis male turn-out is a positive and encouraging trend since this was negatively reversed in the last Lok Sabha Elections. Female turn-out slipped from 84.53% in WBLA Elections, 2016 to 82.04% in Lok Sabha Elections, 2014. Other positive trends are also there to be seen:

4 in 16 of 21 electoral districts, the turn-out has increased when compared with the last Lok Sabha Elections, 2014.

4 the percentage increase in overall turn out compared with the Lok Sabha Elections, 2016 is highest in Coochbehar (3.52%) followed by Jalpaiguri (2.85%) and South 24 Parganas (1.96%). There is a negative growth, on the other hand, in Kolkata North (-3.62%), Darjeeling (-2.35%) and North 24 Parganas (-1.00%).

4 increase in female turn-out is highest in Coochbehar district (3.69%) followed by South 24 Parganas (3.31%) and Bankura (3.23%). Slide in female turn-out percentage is maximum in Kolkata North (-4.64%), followed by Darjeeling (-1.65%) and North 24 Parganas (-0.99%)

4 among the districts, the highest turn-out is experienced in Purbo Medinipur at 87.17 percentage which is higher than the turn-out percentage of 86.58 % in the same district during the Lok Sabha Elections, 2014.

4 in the electoral districts of Kolkata South and Coochbehar, the turn-out percentage of third gender electors is as high as 57.14% and 50%. Other districts following suit are Kolkata North, Hooghly, Purbo Medinipur and North 24 Parganas district.

Comparative % increase in female and total turn out

5.00 4.00 3.00 2.00 1.00 0.00 AR otal

-1.00 A H JPU R JPU R A B D NA D IA AI GU RI G ANAS G ANAS

-2.00 PU R U LIA B IR BHU M H O W RA H B AN KU RA AR AR H OO GH LY D MAL AR J EELIN G State T State SO U T H ATA J AL P NORT H ATA D ALI PU R DU -3.00 B AR DH AMAN HB E H AR COOC M U RS H I D OL K OL K K K D INA U TTAR

-4.00 A K S H IN D INA PU R B O ME D INI D ASC H IM ME D INI PU R P SO U T H 24 P -5.00 NORT H 24 P -6.00 % increase in combined turn out % increase female turnout

General Elections to 158 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016 One may go to compare the turn-out figures of WBLA Elections, 2016 with those of the WBLA Elections, 2011.

2011 2016 Name of Districts Male Female Total Male Female Third Total Turnout Turnout Turnout Turnout Turnout Gender Turnout COOCHBEHAR 84.80 86.63 85.66 84.60 87.63 50.00 86.05

ALIPURDUAR 82.52 85.54 9.09 83.99

JALPAIGURI 85.00 85.74 85.35 85.97 86.52 0.00 86.24

DARJEELING 79.94 79.50 79.72 78.26 77.77 0.00 78.02

UTTAR DINAJPUR 80.39 83.41 81.82 78.19 84.67 7.84 81.28

DAKSHIN DINAJPUR 88.35 88.64 88.49 84.64 87.79 8.00 86.15

MALDAHA 79.31 85.43 82.24 77.64 85.37 9.80 81.37

MURSHIDABAD 85.08 86.51 85.77 79.42 85.05 4.44 82.15

NADIA 86.85 88.57 87.67 83.59 87.20 21.13 85.33

NORTH 24 PARGANAS 85.61 84.25 84.97 83.55 80.43 25.00 82.03

SOUTH 24 PARGANAS 85.66 82.28 84.04 84.65 81.55 9.85 83.14

KOLKATA SOUTH 66.47 65.02 65.83 66.17 63.83 57.14 65.10

KOLKATA NORTH 65.05 65.88 65.40 65.27 62.98 33.33 64.25

HOWRAH 82.29 80.77 81.58 80.51 78.76 3.03 79.67

HOOGHLY 84.17 84.71 84.43 82.44 82.62 32.69 82.52

PURBO MEDINIPUR 88.86 91.23 89.99 84.84 89.70 29.63 87.17

PASCHIM MEDINIPUR 87.81 88.58 88.19 85.54 86.83 11.11 86.17

PURULIA 81.55 80.00 80.81 82.17 83.29 22.22 82.71

BANKURA 86.88 86.55 86.72 86.21 86.08 25.00 86.14

BARDHAMAN 86.44 85.44 85.97 83.74 82.64 16.67 83.21

BIRBHUM 87.45 85.49 86.51 85.38 84.33 18.18 84.87

State Total 84.39 84.53 84.46 82.42 83.22 17.28 82.80

The general trend in the comparative turn-out figures of WBLA, 2011 and WBLA, 2016-whether in total turn-out and female turn-out- would show it to be in the negative, barring the bright spots of exception Coochbehar, Jalpaiguri and Purulia.

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 159 Comparative total turn-out WBLA Elections,2011 and WBLA Elections, 2016

100.00

80.00

60.00 AR A H JPU R JPU R

40.00 A B D NA D IA AI GU RI G ANAS G ANAS SO U T H NORT H PU R U LIA B IR BHU M H O W RA H B AN KU RA AR AR H OO GH LY D MAL D INA D INA AR J EELIN G ATA ATA J AL P ME D INI PU R 20.00 ME D INI PU R D ALI PU R DU B AR DH AMAN HB E H AR COOC M U RS H I D OL K OL K K K U TTAR

0.00 A K S H IN PU R B O D ASC H IM P H 24 P 24 SO U T H H 24 P 24 NORT H

Total turn out, 2011 Total turn out, 2016

Comparative female turn out WBLA 2011 and WBLA Elections, 2016

100.00

80.00

60.00

40.00 AR A H JPU R JPU R otal A B D NA D IA AI GU RI G ANAS G ANAS SO U T H NORT H

20.00 PU R U LIA B IR BHU M H O W RA H B AN KU RA AR AR H OO GH LY D MAL D INA D INA AR J EELIN G ATA ATA J AL P ME D INI PU R ME D INI PU R D ALI PU R DU B AR DH AMAN 0.00 T State HB E H AR COOC M U RS H I D OL K OL K K K U TTAR A K S H IN PU R B O D ASC H IM P H 24 P 24 SO U T H H 24 P 24 NORT H

Female turn out, 2011 Female turn out, 2016

In Kolkata North and Kolkata South electoral districts with metropolitan population base, both the total turn-out and female turn-out figures have suffered a loss when compared with corresponding figures of WBLA Elections, 2011. However, the figures are mixed when compared with those of the Lok Sabha Elections, 2014. Both total and female turn out have increased for Kolkata South electoral district but in respect of Kolkata North, both the indicators have suffered a setback.

Comparative total turn out figures of WBLA 2011 and WBLA, 2016

Female Turn out, WBLA, 2016

Female Turn out, WBLA, 2011

63.00 63.50 64.00 64.50 65.00 65.50 66.00

Kolkata South Kolkata north

General Elections to 160 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016 Female turn out figures of WBLA, 2011 & WBLA 2016

66.50 66.00 65.50 65.00 64.50 64.00 63.50 63.00 62.50 62.00 61.50 Female Turn out, WBLA, 2011 Female Turn out, WBLA, 2016

Kolkata South Kolkata north

Comparative total turn out figures of WBLA Elections, 2016 and Lok Sabha Elections, 2014

Female Turn out, WBLA, 2016

Female Turn out, WBLA, 2014

63.00 63.50 64.00 64.50 65.00 65.50 66.00 66.50 67.00

Kolkata South Kolkata north

Comparative female turn out figures of WBLA, 2016 and Lok Sabha Elections, 2014

66.50 66.00 65.50 65.00 64.50 64.00 63.50 63.00 62.50 62.00 61.50 61.00 Female Turn out, WBLA, 2014 Female Turn out, WBLA, 2016

Kolkata South Kolkata north

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 161 Seeing it over a broad perspective, there is an overall a different mandate. It captured the broad outlines of increase in number of ACs with scores above the state major activities related to conduct of elections yet, at turn-out average: the same time, it was to record all good innovations, best practices and interesting and quirky human stories No of ACs Total turn as they would be revealed in the course of election Year above State out process. In terms of output, DEOs were directed to Average submit narratives that were to tell us their initiatives, best WBLA Elections, 2011 84.46 179 practices and contributions in different areas of election management along with case studies and human stories Lok Sabha Elections, 2014 82.2 171 as they might have experienced during the course of WBLA Elections, 2016 82.8 183 the West Bengal General Legislative Elections, 2016 in all different formats revealing new insights.T his they did, Documentation their collective experiences are treasured in the present narrative document, along with numerous photographs Conduct of General Elections is a mammoth work and audio-visual documents they produced during their entailing substantial mobilization of men and materials. journey from the day of announcement of elections to It is also time when people, in whatever capacity the counting. they are engaged, are attuned to the call of duty and work together in unison unveiling moments of great At the office of the Chief Electoral Officer, West Bengal, discipline, courage and caliber. On the part of the voters the entire process was mandated to be reproduced in for which elections are all about, they also exhibit their a narrative document as we did in the previous general unfailing determination to vote surmounting physical election two years back. Yet, we went beyond the barriers and infirmities.T hus, underneath the string of previous milestone and introduced new benchmarks activities, there is always a human story revealing now by two very significant value additions, one was a and then moments of dedication, perseverance and photographic documentation capturing moments in all determination. different areas of activity and the other was audio-visual documentation in which eight audio-visual modules The State SVEEP Plan has envisaged documentation were developed on following areas of activity: activity in a systematic manner at State and district levels. District Election Officers were requested to 1 Polling Stations 2 Voters document activities related to conduct of elections in all three formats: narrative, photo-graphic and 3 Poll Personnel Welfare 4 SVEEP audio-visual. The DEOs were requested to carry out this documentation work side by side with the usual 5 Media 6 Law and Order documentation activities which are mandated under Enclave Voting in Initiatives for PWD specific directions of theC ommission. In fact, the district 7 8 Coochbehar district Voters documentation project was so assigned as to work with

General Elections to 162 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016

chapter IX IT Interventions

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 165 One primary intent in developing IT applications in the State had been simplification of processes related to the conduct of election and electoral registration, making it easy to understand and supervise and getting services closer to the voters. Many of the technology solutions are designed and prescribed by the Election Commission of India. As they are followed, there have been necessary customizations and value enhancements to make these applications more attuned to the requirements at fields. On the other hand, the CEO Office itself has developed a number of applications which have helped, on the one hand, in monitoring and supervision on the part of election managers, on the other hand it has also helped in making services more accessible to the stakeholders which include candidates, political parties and voters at large.

Existing it initiatives Sl No. Name of Application Functionalities Platform SMS based poll monitoring Monitoring of Poll related process based on information sent Web based 1 system through SMS from the registered mobile of polling officials. application A Camera is placed at top of a moving vehicle that Live Monitoring of sensitive captures the video of surroundings of a Polling Station on Web based 2 area P-1 and P day. The video streaming was sent to a server application and displayed on desktops using web based application. Mobile Live Tracking (MLT) in Tracking of activities related to the election expenditure Web based 3 Expenditure monitoring System by the android based mobile app. application Web Casting of Polling A web cam is placed inside the polling station to capture the Web based 4 Stations video graphic image of incidents taking place during the poll. application Web Based 5 EVM tracking EVM related entries Application Web Based 6 Genesys Application Uploading pre and post-election data Application Web Based 7 Index Card Application Index card Entry after counting Application

There were two basic motives which propelled IT interventions in the state during the West Bengal Assembly General Elections 2016. One, it should help in substantially reducing human labour and secondly, it should reduce the cost and promote efficiency.T he interventions made in the field of information technology would bear upon this understanding. Below we recount some of them in brief.

New IT Applications developed by ECI and customised by CEO Office:

Sl. No. Name of Application Functionalities Platform An Integrated Complaint Management System 1. SAMADHAN where complaints received from all sources & Web Based Application modes integrated on a single platform. The Single window system for providing 2. SUVIDHA permission for meeting, rally, Helicopter Landing Web based application etc. is operational at all RO offices. 3. SUGAM An integrated vehicle management system Web based application

SAMADHAN SAMADHAN, the integrated Complaint Management System provided an online platform to the candidates, political parties and citizens to dispose complaints received from all sources in a time bound manner. All ECI complaints were

General Elections to 166 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016 disposed by 24 hours, complaints from political parties • In case of same complaints, which already had been by 48 hours while on the poll day, the response time was received from a source and received simultaneously reduced to 1 and 2 hours depending upon the gravity from the ECI, an option to Flag (as "ECI") the of the complaint. A significant value addition to the complaint at CEO's level was provided. Accordingly system was introducing an SMS alert system whereby, at at DEO's level, options for flagging as CEO" " & "ECI" every stage of disposal, the complainant was informed were added. The objective was to avoid/ minimize of the action taken. The ATR was uploaded on the online multiple counting and multiple handling of an platform which could be viewed simultaneously at the identical issue. Commission, State and District levels. A total of 55002 • Two sets of user ID and Password were created, one, complaints were processed through it of which more for data entry operator for making entry/ uploading than 57% of the complaints were lodged by the citizens of complaints and secondly, for disposal/ forward/ and the political parties. Taking together complaints instruction/ edit/uploading of ATR, separate log in received only on Poll days spread across six phases, a and password at officers’ levels. total of 16816 complaints were received and disposed. • Though it was made mandatory for a citizen to More than 7500 number of complaints were lodged put his/ her mobile number during lodging of a through the mobile version of SAMADHAN which was complaint, the mobile number remained invisible downloadable from Google Play Store. to the responding authorities. It was done to maintain the secrecy of identity of the complainant. Making relevant customization in However, system generated SMS for registration of SAMADHAN software complaints and intimation of disposal were sent to the complainant using their mobile numbers. On the basis of strategies like these, following customizations were made in the system: • The software was made available in both web and mobile apps formats. It thus, helped citizens access • The Returning Officers, District Election Officers, C.Ps the application on a relatively wider scale. The mobile and S.Ps were to play a pivotal role in the management application was customized with same options and of complaints during periods of elections in districts facilities of web version. levels. Accordingly, provisions were made available to all of them for receiving complaints, either directly • With option to select multiple district for any or forwarded, and uploading ATRs. Provisions were particular issue, a special provision was included to made to enable CEO / DEOs to forward a complaint lodge a complaint at ‘State Level’ . This was found to more than one officer simultaneously time and effective for complaints with general nature and not upload finalATR on the basis of reports received related to any particular districts. from all concerned. SAMADHAN Statistics • Important modifications were made for the Citizen to select the authority before whom one could More than 7500 number of complaints were lodged lodge relevant complaints. Specific option was also through the mobile version of SAMADHAN which was provided to fix the disposal authority for any specific downloadable from Google Play Store. During elections, complaint. the apps was found to be one of the most downloaded applications. Bear testimony to the efficacy of the • Separate arrangement was provided to mention the SAMADHAN application: a total of 55002 complaints details of FIR lodged and arrest made in connection were processed through it. Of this, more than 57% of the to any action taken by the responding authority. complaints were lodged by the citizens and the political parties. Taking together complaints received only on Poll days, a total of 16816 complaints were received. The highest number of complaints lodged on Poll day was on 4th Poll Day involving North 24 Parganas and Howrah districts numbering at 4652. Districts in which highest number of complaints were lodged were North and South 24 Parganas having, on record, 9628 and 8578 complaints respectively. On the other hand, districts which have experienced least number of complaints are Purulia (259) and Darjeeling (367).

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 167 Poll Day Application Received and Disposal Status

Total Application disposed Total application received

1696 6th Phase coocHBEHAR 1699

PURBO MEDINIPUR 727 727

969 6TH PHASE TOTAL 972

5th Phase soUTH 24 PARGANAS 3378 3379

KOLKATA-SOUTH 994 995

294 HOOGHLY 294

5TH PHASE TOTAL 2090 2090

4652 4th Phase nortH 24 PARGANAS 4652

HOWRAH 1461 1461

3191 4TH PHASE TOTAL 3191

3344 3rd Phase mURSHIDABAD 3344

1405 NADIA 1405

839 KOLKATA-NORTH 839

775 BURDWAN 775

325 3RD PHASE TOTAL 325

1173 2nd Phase JALPAIGURI 1174

62 DARJEELING 62

389 UTTAR DINAJPUR 389

288 DAKSHIN DINAJPUR 288

99 MALDA 99

136 BIRBHUM 136

90 ALIPURDUAR 91

2ND PHASE TOTAL 109 109

1998 1B Phase PASCHIM MEDINIPUR 1999

613 BANKURA 614

479 BURDWAN 479

906 1B TOTAL 906

569 1A Phase PASCHIM MEDINIPUR 569

167 PURULIA 167

91 BANKURA 91

311 1A TOTAL 311

0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000 4500 5000

General Elections to 168 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016 Nature-wise Complaint Receipt and Disposal Status for General Election to West Bengal Legislative Assembly 2016

1600 1403 1400

1200 1037 1000

800

600

313 298 333 400 159 200 73 35 0 Form 6 - Form 7 - For Form 8 - Form 8A - Transfer voter Card - voter Card - voter Card - voter List to Add Name Deletation of Name For Correction of Name From One lost Not Received received With Error Polling Station To Another Within AC

Electoral roll/ Voter Card related complaint status

18000 16580 16000

14000

12000

10000 8678 8000

6000 5098 4240 3572 4000

2101 1547 2000 1059 1222 958 547 504 734 422 294 467 434 392 401 571 587 36 145 84 223 42 73 20 189 93

0

ally han T oters thers fficial oting gent" tation tation tation tation elated elated V O ehicles onduct iolation uthority uthority V C E lection) V ther dvertising hreatened hreatened Booth Jam O T Govt. O Govt. ash / L iquore E lection R ard snatching ard Polling S Polling fficial ( E lection) ut / Police A Police ecrecy of voting / Polling A / Polling edia A onduct fficial ( rder I ssue & O rder L aw Party E xpenditure M f C oter C oter from Polling S Polling from oupons Distribution V alfunctioning of EVM apturing/False V apturing/False andidate E xpenditure andidate Posters and Hoardings Posters C M C N on Deposit of Firearms ode O ovement of armed goons ovement L iquor or Drug Distribution M iolation of S iolation Distibution of C V gent Driven O Driven gent Booth Government O Government issuse of Government issuse of Government lash outside of Polling S C lash outside of Polling odel C M omplaint againt Police A Police againt omplaint Government O Government omplaint againt E lection againt omplaint R ash, Gift or C M C C C ntimadation / O bstruction ntimadation to PF not deployed at Polling S Polling at CA PF not deployed " I Polling A Polling

SUVIDHA Internet etc. facility is made available. The SWS was manned by the Nodal Officers of PWD, Fire Service, Single Window System was formed for giving Electricity Department and representative of the Sub- permission at the level of the Returning Officer at each Divisional Magistrate for coordinating and issuance of Sub-division from political parties, candidates and NOC from respective departments within the stipulated concerned persons during election, for holding public time frame. The time limit for issuance of such NOCs was meetings/ public rallies/ processions/vehicles as well as 18 hours from the time of receipt of application. Member for landing of Helicopters at non-commercial airstrips of political party/applicant, subject to a maximum of 120 and construction of helipads. Single Window Cell was Hrs and minimum remaining period of 72 hours of time established for every Legislative Assembly Constituency limit from the event time, submitted to the in-charge where minimum infrastructure, e.g. Photocopier of Single Window Cell, application containing detailed machine, Computer, Printer, Scanner, Telephone, enumeration of projected expenditure in Annexure 16.

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 169 For facilitation of submission of the applications by the place of their convenience and accessing the application applicants, facilitation counters remained open at each window of Suvidha software by typing the url: election. Block Development office and at the Sub-divisional cloudapp.net/wb-suvidha. Total applications received Single Window Counters specially opened for each through SUVIDHA software is 1, 16, 301. Of this, 99.78% Returning Officer between 1000 Hrs to 2000 Hrs. For applications was processed in time. Commissionarate area, the District Magistrate and the More than I lakh applications for permission were Commissioner of Police decided the locations and made routed through SUVIDHA software in the run-up necessary arrangements for immediate setting up of the to elections across the state. Though introduced in Facilitation Center for submission of such applications the state of Bihar, it marked considerable progress The applicants could also submit application on any time showing mutations over its mother version in various of the day directly by connecting to internet from any areas of application.

SUVIDHA – How It Performed Category wise applications received under SUVIDHA

Total Applications Received under SUVIDHA 115450

Permit for construction of Rostrum/Barricade 497

Application for Permit to take out Procession 41561

Application for Permit for Street Corner Meeting 55756

Application for permission to hold meeting 9411

Application for Construction of Helipad 758

Aplication for Vehicle Permit 7467

0 20000 40000 60000 80000 100000 120000 140000

District wise applications received under SUVIDHA 2826 4630 3597 12283 10111 3685 1433 7728 5640 4750 2038 1133 1846 5906 4936 13435 8036 5525 637 13677 2449 alda outh N adia M Purulia Howrah Bankura edinipur edinipur Hooghly Birbhum Burdwan lipurduar Jalpaiguri Darjeeling A oochbehar urshidabad C M Kolkata- N orth Kolkata- S Uttar Dinajpur Purbo M Purbo Dakshin Dinajpur outh 24 Parganas N orth 24 Parganas S Paschim M Paschim

General Elections to 170 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016 Category wise applications received under SUVIDHA

Bahujan Samaj Party 569

Revolutionary Socialist Party 1621

All India Forward Bloc 1948 Independant 2356 Socialist Unity Centre of India (Communist) 3619 Indian National Congress 5902 Bharatiya Janata Party 13830 Communist Party of India (Marxist)

All India Trinamool Congress 28162

Political Party 55004

0 10000 20000 30000 40000 50000 60000

objective. Requisitioning, Reporting, Fuelling, Releasing of a vehicle and Calculation of bill for payment of vehicles have been made possible through this application. Vehicle Data base of the Transport Department was effectively used in SUGAM. Facility to ‘Log in’ was extended up to the level of Block and Police Station. Provisions were made to incorporate bank details of vehicle owners to facilitate On Line payment. Reports on various parameters could be generated Value addition in SUVIDHA through the application and are very much useful for statistical analysis of usage and expenditure of • Receipts generated for every application could be printed and handed over to the applicant on vehicles. successful submission of the application. Category wise Reporting of Major Vehicles • Applicants could now see whether the place sought Maxi Cab with for meeting etc was booked on that date and time Small Passenger sitting capacity up 29350 10732 BEFORE MAKING APPLICATION Vehicle to 8 • Forwarding letter auto generated now had all details of the application Bus 12817 Mini Bus (6 Cyl) 5016 • Concerned police station could now get alert over Auto Rickshaw 4814 Mini Bus (4 Cyl) 215 registered mobile about the application received & permission granted. Goods Vehicle up Goods Vehicle 3542 3229 • Register was auto generated capturing all details to 8 MT beyond 8 MT of the application and decision taken. Event Place, Some Special features of the SUGAM Software Date & Time was now captured in the database. – a vehicle requisitioned once could not be SUGAM requisitioned again by any other authority having SUGAM, the IT intervention was developed for election in the same phase. management of vehicles utilized in elections, effectively – Provision was made for recording data of Khoraki and transparently. Ensuring payment to the owners of (remuneration) that was payable to Drivers and the vehicles requisitioned for the purpose of election Khalasis (co-driver & helper) of any particular vehicle within a reasonable time frame was another significant in accordance with Govt. approved rates.

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 171 Statistical Information Requisitioned Reported Received Inter Poll Day Dist. Name TOTAL Vehicle Vehicle District 1A PURULIA 4464 2826 0 2826 1B BANKURA 5508 3885 0 3885 1B PASCHIM MEDINIPUR 6305 3596 0 3596 2nd ALIPURDUAR 2631 1671 1 1672 2nd BIRBHUM 4053 3086 0 3086 2nd DAKSHIN DINAJPUR 1640 1048 0 1048 2nd DARJEELING 6992 4470 0 4470 2nd JALPAIGURI 3444 2679 0 2679 2nd MALDA 3633 2684 0 2684 2nd UTTAR DINAJPUR 3085 2234 0 2234 3rd BURDWAN 8210 6285 0 6285 3rd KOLKATA-NORTH 5083 3006 0 3006 3rd MURSHIDABAD 6467 3175 0 3175 3rd NADIA 6315 3889 0 3889 4th HOWRAH 5725 3885 0 3885 4th NORTH 24 PARGANAS 15615 9644 0 9644 5th HOOGHLY 7442 3752 0 3752 5th KOLKATA-SOUTH 1031 692 0 692 5th SOUTH 24 PARGANAS 16731 10503 0 10503 6th COOCHBEHAR 4599 2513 0 2513 6th PURBO MEDINIPUR 5550 1622 0 1622 Total 124523 77145 1 77146

– the details of vehicles permitted to political parties and Media houses could also be incorporated in the SUGAM database. – there was scope to reprint any requisition paper or log sheet. This was required in case of loss of any requisition or log Sheet or accidental loss of PDF data from any computer. – the data base of Transport Department attached centrally with SUGAM, was accessible from any authority of the state, but it was advised to the DEOs to explore the data of their own district vehicle at first. We recount in the foregoing pages IT applications which were conceptualized and coordinated at the State level. Supplementing them, the District Election Officers also developed some applications which were quite useful and effective. We dwell with them separately in the chapter dedicated to District Innovations. IT Applications developed by CEO Office for interface with Citizens n functionaries Sl Name of Functionalities Platform No. Application All Election related information are available in .NET Framework, ASP, Microsoft 1 CEO’s Website CEO’s website SQL Server 2008 Custom web Application for generating of .NET Framework, ASP, Microsoft 2 CEO’s Web Portal different election related forms and reports SQL Server 2008 Online web Search .NET Framework, ASP, Microsoft 3 EPIC wise, AC wise search facilities for electors Engine SQL Server 2008

General Elections to 172 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016 Some new IT Applications developed by CEO Office

Sl No. Name of Application Functionalities Platform Data related to basic minimum facilities of all polling BMF data collection using Web Based 1. stations of the state could be captured with images of all Android Mobile. Application polling stations and available basic minimum facilities Up-gradation of existing Web GIS with some added Web based 2. WEB GIS- layers/components like necessary information of basic application minimum facilities at polling stations etc. Expenditure Accounting An accounting software for election expenditure Web based 3. Software monitoring of candidates application

BMF Data Collection Using Android Mobile

• Well before the elections the sector officers went around the polling stations with android based mobile phones having installed with the app. and captured images of BMF (Basic Minimum Facilities) now called AMF (Assured Minimum Facilities) of polling stations along with image of the polling station itself. • The process was repeated time and again to update the images with further development of facilities at the polling stations. • It acted as a major monitoring tool in terms of polling personnel welfare.

WEB GIS • District /AC /Polling station wise data was captured. • BMF data and image, information on BLO, Polling Station, Connectivity, Expenditure Monitoring, L&O, SVEEP etc. were made available. • Two platforms were prepared - G to C (Citizen centric information) on CEO website and G to G (Election Management related information). • Dynamic, inter-sectoral query builder was available in the system. It acted as an effective tool for election management

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 173 Different layers to populate Polling Station/ AC/ District wise Information

Query Builder

Polling Station information and BMF image

Expenditure Accounting Software e-DEMS is a web based software developed to enable its users-Expenditure Observers/DEOs/Returning Officers/ Assistant Returning Officers/Nodal Officers of Expenditure Monitoring- at different levels, to, : • Make entries and updates easier • Make monitoring easier • Prepare report returns easier

General Elections to 174 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016 The web-enabled application had been developed in PHP-MySQL platform and best viewed in Mozilla firefox, Google Chrome, IET. To run the web application, the system requires Pentium IV and above. IGB and above RAM capacity and internet connectivity to access the web server. Expenditure Accounting Software

Objectives 3. It is easy to monitor: The officials involved in expenditure moniroring found it very handy 1. the system helped in maintaining AC wise SOR and useful in monitoring the progress in terms records of expenditure against each candidate of expenditure surveillance and consequent both event an expenditure wise by the AC level rectification of errors in data entry. accounting team. 2. the Assistant Expenditure Observer (AEO) could In the recently concluded West Bengal Legislative easily generate AC wise and date wise reprot of Assembly Elections, 2016, there was a further value expenditure against each candidate. addition by adding up a module that captured the finally reconciled accounts of candidates submitted by them 3. the District Election Officer could generate PC wise before the District Election Officers.T he application report against AC wise entries made for it candidate. was further tested in the bye-elections held in the state This web enabled application had been developed in in two parliamentary and one assembly constituency PHP-MySql platform and best viewed in Mozilla Firefox, segments. Google Chrome, IE8 or above with 1366X768 resolution. To run the web application (e-DEMS-V-2.3), the system required - Pentium IV/above, 1 GB/above RAM with net connection to access the web server. Utility 1. It is user friendly: The officers only required to start the application and rest would automatically follow by selection from the drop down menu. 2. It is accurate: e-DEMS is secure and accurate. It is devoid of common errors which crop up in any manual accounting process.

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 175 Live Monitoring of Sensitive Areas (LMSA) Maintaining law and order situation in and around Polling Stations, in particular on the day of poll, has been a major concern of the election managers for long. While the ECI has framed elaborate guidelines to curb influence of money and muscle powers much before the day of Poll, the objective on the poll day remains to ensure that the electors participate in the poll process without any fear, inducements and apprehensions. A unique application called Live Monitoring Of Sensitive Areas was put in implementation in the last Lok Sabha The Web based application enabled display of the real General Elections, 2014. The experience was replicated time movement of two moving vans on screen in two during the present Assembly General Elections 2016 different frames altogether.T he location of the moving to track all major incidents of law and order violations vans could also be tracked on the GIS platform. The and take suitable remedial action, restoring voters’ System contained one Dome camera, one android confidence in the poll process. mobile with 3G/2G connectivity and the vehicle. While the camera captured images of surroundings on a real time basis, the web based desk top application was The System designed to display video streaming to the CEO/ DEO/ Observer/ Police Officials and others.T he system was set In itself, the System contained one Dome camera, one in motion on P-1 day when the Delivery Centre started android mobile with 3G/2G connectivity and vehicle. their activity of gathering Polling and Police personnel While the camera captured images of surroundings on a for moving towards Polling stations with EVMs and real time basis, the web based desk top application was other accessories for conducting elections. On the Poll designed to display video streaming to the CEO/ DEO/ day, the vehicles roamed around paths known as being Observer/ Police Officials and others. vulnerable areas, instilling confidence among the local In order to make the system effective, it was necessary to people. fulfill certain conditions:

• The system was required to be capable to send feed on lower Internet connectivity;

• The system had to be wireless;

• The output from the system should have been live with higher quality and recording facility; The Process The system beamed a live coverage of activities on a pre- defined track recognized for its sensitivity on moving vans with high definition web camera that captured and telecast incidents directly by video-streaming. Technology of 3G connectivity was applied for online transfer of video-data with audio objects to the server first and then connecting to the end of the administrator and other users through web application. A Camera was placed at the top of the vehicle with a designated officer in the vehicle, who followed instructions from their Superior Officers to move to the place of major law and order incidents.

General Elections to 176 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016 Outcome • 226 LMSA vehicles spread across the state during the Assembly General Elections, 2016 reported to be an effective force-multiplier measure. • It enabled attending the trouble spots and taking Station Locations (PSLs) in clear relief. Information immediate action without any loss of time. collected by Sector Officers periodically is plotted on GIS-Google Sheet to capture the status of progress in • Since the vehicle was supported with armed Police situ. force, it was able to identify trouble makers and nab them on real time basis. Requirement of Additional force could also be ascertained based on real time information. GIS based Expenditure Monitoring • It helped in building voters’ confidence and an implicit psychological pressure on trouble mongers Web Based Application that they were being watched by the omniscient eyes of the Election Commission of India. • Finally, the system was less susceptible to loss of information and factual adulteration.

Mobile Live Tracking (MLT) in Expenditure Monitoring System

The Application combines in itself both Mobile based CEO/ DEO/ and web-based applications. All it needs is an android Observer/ Police phone having 2.2 versions (and above), supported with facilities of Mobile Live Tracker. The application is utilized by the sector officers/FlyingS quads to report to the 2G / 3G connectivity administrator who, in this case, is the Returning Officer. The concerned officer needs to get himself registered at the relevant assembly constituency as well as the sector which is assigned to him. Once the registration is completed, the Sector Officer is enabled to record and report structured information to the Returning Officer.

As this information so collected is transferred on a GIS platform on real time basis, it helps in analysis of server information and decision making. Significantly, GIS Flying Squad Officer platform retains its Google interface to identify Polling Using Android based Phone

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 177 The system is user friendly, and dynamic in terms of incremental value additions. The system generates voters’ confidence and has a deterring effect on the trouble mongers since election managers are also watching them constantly. Web Casting Web Casting of Live Activities from polling stations for capturing the poll related activities was introduced during the Legislative Assembly Elections in 2011 in 900 polling stations in the State of West Bengal. Increasingly being recognized as an effective force-multiplier measure, web casting was implemented in 1,244 polling stations of all the districts in the state during the Loksabha General Elections 2014 and in the recently Tracking is done by means of a GPS tracking system concluded West Bengal Assembly General Elections that lets the Returning Officer check the location of the device in which the mobile location is installed. This 2016 we could implement the same in 2,585 polling enables the administrator to see the movement of the stations across the state in addition to 7,642 CCTV or Sector Officer/Flying squad in real time situations. At offline webcasting and 10,141 video cameras. critical points, this helps the election managers sending necessary guidance and instructions for redressal of an emerging crisis situation.

The application has the facility of sending images from the cameras. The Officer could select between the General and Urgent options in accordance with the urgency of the situation. When image is uploaded as an urgent category, the notification alert will be shown on the bottom right of the screen and all urgent image history is populated. The System has a number of advantages – essential Poll related information was made available to the election managers instantly. Moreover, this information could be generated on GIS platform as well as actual count; – the movement of the Sector Officers/Flying squads can not only be monitored, but also guided in critical Web-casing was done in polling stations keeping in hours; mind a convergence of two contributing factors in – images sent from the field help in assessing the mind: internet connectivity and criticality of polling gravity of the situation and taking remedial action; stations. The system transmitted live feeds of audio and

General Elections to 178 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016 video data about the happenings taking place inside EPIC number of the electors. During the West Bengal the polling station. Some of the interesting technical Legislative Assembly General Elections 2016, a special features of web-casting may be summarized as follows: window was opened in the website for easy and quick • Flash based Technology access to all relevant information pertaining to the elections. • Web based Video Streaming in multiple frames (8 frames) While the website catered primarily to the needs of the • Accessibility of at least 500 concurrent users electors and citizens at large, the CEO’s web portal was for sharing information and obtaining report-returns • Low Internet bandwidth from the districts to the CEO Office. All reports related • Recording facility were mandatorily routed through web portal only. The • Zero downtime system proved to be quite effective during election time for gathering information from field level in a very • Field level Locations mapped with AC and Polling systematic and time-bound manner. stations Advantages of the System • Effective Monitoring of the poll related activities at polling stations • Instant action was taken in case of unlawful activities at polling stations • Recorded Video helped in scrutiny process for considering Re-Poll at polling stations.

Website and Web Portal The Website and the Web portal of the Chief Electoral Officer provide the much needed interface with the election machinery, political parties and the citizens. The website was designed to cater to the needs of a host of stakeholders and election managers at different levels starting from the CEO to the RO/ARO. It houses all election related information for viewing of the citizens at large. Thus, electoral rolls of all 294 ACs in PDFs, notional maps of polling areas etc. are displayed in the website. There is also the facility of searching electors’ details like the AC, Part and Serial Nos. by triggering SMS at pre-designated number 51969. Part number and serial number may also be ascertained by inserting

Monitoring Tools of IT

MIS Dashboard Electoral Roll Weekly Monitoring Dashboard It was an online reporting system for all types of The portal provided weekly updation of Roll Data. election related matters, both statutaory & non- statutory. The system was developed to facilitate State Election Monitoring Dashboard and district offices to make data entry in monthly This IT Tool provided a dashboard of consolidated progress reprot at respective levels. It allowed information, tools and timely reports to officers officials to monitor the progress with the help of MIS engaged in election monitoring process at different Dashboard such that reports could be generated as levels down the hierarchy. and when required.

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 179 SMS-Based Poll Monitoring System How it works SMS based Poll Monitoring System was introduced Registration Monitoring System first during the Legislative Assembly General Elections, Under this section, the registrations are accepted from 2011 with twin objectives of simplifying the manual ROs, AROs, SOs, and POs. job of compilation of data and linking this information by use of web technology, to a dashboard accessed by administrator and other users for analysis of such information. Under this system, SMS is sent from assembly constituencies by Returning Officers (ROs), Assistant Returning OfficersARO ( s), Presiding Officers (POs), Sector Officers (SOs) who register themselves against particular mobile numbers and the system while reading the SMS, saves data in the database and generates reports. The system has been designed on the basis of simple mobile technology. A web application has been developed to show the output in terms of inputs sent via SMS. For Inputs: Only text messaging from Mobile Phone is required. For feeding of input data to the application, an Poll Monitoring System SMS gateway service was rendered. So, an SMS gateway This depicts the starting time of poll in each area, server is there for controlling flow of Push/Pop messages current polling status, whether polling officers have sent by the user (dedicated officials in this case). their assigned location, and any interruption in polling For Outputs: Web application was developed on dot net occurred. All these information are tabulated under this platform/technology. For feeding the input data into the section. system and processing, there is also a Database server. The database server works in MS SQL Server 2008 R2 Poll-1/Poll-2 Day Technology. Polling station name and numbers are listed with status, location, Sector no., Presiding Officer contacts, Sector officer contacts etc.T he status shows whether polling party arrived safely or not in time. There are three dropdowns for District, AC NAME and PS NAME. From these dropdowns, one can select report in specific reference to district, AC, and PC.

General Elections to 180 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016 Poll Day/ Poll Day Current Report or have not reported for any specific action. On extreme right of the table, there are two options namely Count It shows status against particular PS No & Name, whether and Polling Station. On selecting Count, one knows how Mock Poll Conducted, No. of Agents present, whether many polling stations have failed to report regarding the poll Started, poll progress reports for specific time given, options selected from dropdown Non-Receipt of Report. Voters in Queue at specific time,V oter turnout at End of Secondly, on selecting the option polling Station, one Poll, Safe Arrival at RC. Each polling station name and knows the numbers and names of Polling Stations in number is displayed besides poll started time and poll respect of which reports have not yet been received. progress reports and percentage of voters.

Poll Progress Chart Poll Interruption Reporting Under this section there is table which shows District The section shows status if polling is interrupted Name, Voter Turnout Percentage, Total Electors, number anywhere. The reasons behind interruptions are of polling stations, reports received at selected time etc. displayed in three columns namely EVM nonfunctioning, The graph drawn is based on the table which shows poll Law & Order Issues, and Others. There are also provisions percentage with respect to specific district. for mentioning time of occurrence of such interruption as well as time at which poll resumed after such interruption. Then, there is a column marked as Poll Resumed which shows the time the polling resumed after interruption. The column marked as Action taken is for specific action taken for redressal.

Voters Turnout Report It shows list of total electors and total voter’s turnout percentage in respect to each assembly constituency. The table shown here can be seen in Excel sheet also if one clicks export button at the top. Similarly, if one Non-Receipt of Poll Report clicks the import button, the table on excel sheet can be viewed from this page also. There is provision of updating This section gives details of polling stations which have previous data by clicking edit button at the top.

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 181 chapter

assured minimum facilities (previously basic minimum facilities), Model Polling Stations and Election X Personnel Welfare

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 183 Basic Minimum Facilities, Model Polling Stations and election Personnel Welfare Polling stations are out of the most commonly used symbols of electoral democracy. While Section 25 of the Representation of People Act, 1951 entrusted District Election Officer (DEO) responsible for provision of polling stations and publication of the list of Polling Stations, the Election Commission of India had consistently issued instructions to ensure basic facilities at the polling stations making them conducive for voting. Background Voters’ convenience had been the primary guiding force of rationalization exercise which led to growth in number of polling stations. Reasons which factor in the growth of Polling Stations are many and need elaborate study. It has both push and pull factors. interestingly, the growth in number of Polling Stations has positively influenced voting behavior leading to greater turn-out which had been a major objective of Election Commission for years together. In reality, it has resulted in a greater mobilization of resources to ensure basic amenities in the polling stations and planning much before the elections are announced.

Polling Stations Polling Station Locations Urban Rural Total Urban Rural Total 18,486 58,761 77,247 7,785 44,491 52,276

In the State, as one might see in the table below, the total numbers of Polling Stations had remained the same over last few years. Rationalization of Polling Stations over the years Total No. of Total No. Creation of New Shifting of Year PS before of PS after Polling Stations Polling Stations Rationalization Rationalization 2012 51,919 24,901 – 76,820 2013 76,820 421 327 77,241 2014 77,241 6 1,520 77,247 2015 77,247 0 762 77,247 2016 77,247 0 391 77,247

A special rationalization exercise was undertaken before the General Elections to West Bengal Legislative Assembly 2016 with the following parameters in perspective. • To find out suitable alternatives of Polling Stations within the polling area, in case the polling station was located outside the polling area. • To find out if the physical condition of the existing polling stations were not fit for conducting poll. • To check whether a new and relatively better Government building had come up within the polling area with all facilities prescribed under norms of Basic Minimum Facilities of Polling Stations. • To see whether the polling station was located in a Non-Government building. • To explore and ensure that, as far as possible, polling stations were set up at the ground floor of a building so that it were more accessible to the old age and differently able voters. • It was planned that Polling Stations should be set up in such a manner that ordinarily no voter was required to travel more than 2 kilometers for casting vote. In sparsely populated hilly or forest area, this rule was relaxed but due consideration was given to the topography and ease of travel for the voters.

General Elections to 184 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016 As a result, a good number of Polling Stations were shifted during the rationalisation exercise preceding conduct of elections.

Total No. of PS before Creation of New Shifting of Polling Total No. of PS after Year Rationalization Polling Stations Stations Rationalization 2016 77,247 0 362 77,247

A major focus of the rationalization exercise was shifting Polling Stations from non-government and private buildings to government premises as well shifting them to ground floors where Polling Stations were located at first and second floors.

• Total Polling Stations shifted during Rationalization Exercise, 2015: 362 • Polling Stations assigned from 1st floor to ground floor of the same building: 313 • Polling Stations shifted from 1st floor to ground floor of different buildings for convenience of voters: 22

Basic Minimum Facilities The Election Commission consistently maintained that there should be basic facilities of drinking water, toilets, adequate space with ventilation, separate entrance and exit and sufficient lighting available at the Polling Stations for the convenience of voters. Alongside, going beyond basic amenities for all, the Commission issued specific instructions to ensure special provisions for the women, elderly and senior citizens, and persons with disability. Strategies A multi-pronged strategy for ensuring basic minimum facilities at Polling Stations was in place for implementation.

• Two rounds of verification of 100% Polling Stations was undertaken from the month of November 2015. All Polling Stations were visited by the Returning and Assistant Returning Officers not below the rank of BDOs. • In many districts, DEOs visited Polling Stations to check the status of basic minimum facilities in Polling Stations. In , for instance, a special Polling Station verification week was celebrated across the district in which senior officials of district administration, led by the District Election Officer, roamed extensively to examine BMF compliance in Polling Stations. • Lat-long data of polling stations were verified for getting its best possible use in various GIS based applications. • Major deficiencies in BMF had been addressed by mobilizing resources from possible sources through convergence with programmes of various government departments. Steps were taken to address the last mile shortcomings on war footing basis. • Moreover, a survey was undertaken with the help of an Android based mobile application to collect information regarding availability of basic minimum facilities in Polling Stations. Information about basic facilities like drinking water, toilet and others, photographs of each of these facilities were also taken. Conceived as a monitoring tool, taking photographs lent credence to the whole exercise of verification of Polling Stations in a time bound manner. • The data so gleaned at Polling Stations, along with photographs, were floated on a web-GIS platform for monitoring on a day-to-day basis.

District BMF Deficiency Mitigation Plan: Closer to Poll, it was felt necessary to have a closer look, district wise, more on the non-compliance of BMF norms at Polling Stations rather than its compliance. These were Polling Stations where district election machineries were to come out with appropriate strategies to bridge BMF deficiencies at Polling Stations and this, in a given time frame. BMF Deficiency Mitigation Plan was prepared by districts to bridge the last mile gaps through alternative arrangements for a very few Polling locations having difficult geographical terrain and infrastructural inadequacy of permanent

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 185 nature. By the time the full bench of Commission made its second visit in the month of March, districts were ready with their BMF Deficiency Mitigation Plans. In terms of Commission’s instructions, BMF norms were complied by taking recourse to both conventional and non-conventional means replenishing deficiencies.

The synergy of conventional and non-conventional means in replenishing deficiencies in basic minimum facilities at Polling Stations, wherever they existed, is visible in the table below:

Total % of Non Action Planned to met up Facilities Availability PS availability Availability not availability No space available for Permanent Ramp facility 77,247 72624 94.02 4,623 Ramp. Temporary wooden ramps were arranged on Poll day Dysfunctional water sources were repaired. Water tankers/Pouch Drinking Water 76526 99.07 721 were provided on the poll day to ensure supply of drinking water. Temporary connections from Electricity 70223 90.91 7,024 neighboring electric posts were made. Furniture were arranged on hiring Furniture 72958 94.45 4,289 basis wherever they were not available Tarpaulin sheets were fixed by Waiting Room 57135 73.96 20,112 sector officers to provide shade to the electors Toilet for male 76633 99.21 614 Arranged on temporary basis. Toilet for female 76289 98.76 958 Arranged on temporary basis.

Experience during West Bengal Assembly General Elections, 2016 The mandate of the Commission as we inched closer to Polls was set: Basic Minimum Facilities at all Polling Stations, special provisions for the elderly and senior citizens, amenities for persons with disabilities, facilities for women voters and creation of Model Polling Stations. In addition, we continued with the experiment successfully carried out in the last General Lok Sabha Elections, 2014 : all Women managed Polling Stations. The thrust of such initiative was laid on creation of a more voter friendly environment at Polling Stations. In the following few graphs are might look at the status of compliance of BMF norms in Polling Stations in the run-up to the elections.

Basic Minimum Facilities of Polling Stations

120 12.63 16.88 3.24 12.29 1.19 1.62

100 87.37 83.17 96.76 87.71 98.81 98.38 80

60

40

20

0 entry/Exit Shed Ramp Electricity Toiled Drinking Water % of Covered % of Covered

General Elections to 186 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016 District Election Officers did their prior planning, coordinated withS tate Government Departments for dovetailing resources to ensure that Polling Stations had the basic amenities for the voters. BMF deficiency Plan was meant to find solutions to the deficiencies in a non-conventional way. Model Polling Stations and Polling Stations managed by Women Polling Personnel We witnessed, for the first time throughout the country, the phenomenon ofM odel Polling Stations in the General Lok Sabha Elections 2014. During the West Bengal Assembly General elections 2016 the same norms were followed with some variations hare and there and now, on a larger scale. In all Model Polling Stations, the facilities went beyond provision of basic minimum facilities mandated by the Commission and the voters were presented with a comfortable voting experience. Commission’s mandate for setting up Model Polling Stations had an illustrative list of amenities that should be there physically at the Model Polling Stations. In our State, we followed the model but improved upon it and made it attuned to the needs of the aged and the infirm and made it mostly managed by the women Polling Personnel.T here were other features though, over and above the basic minimum facilities, such as the use of signage, separate queues, sitting arrangements for the aged and the infirm etc. On the other hand, a total of 1147 Polling Stations were entirely managed by Women Polling personnel. This was the practice we carried forward from the previous general Lok Sabha Elections, 2014. But, it helped, to an extent, to cope with deficiency in polling personnel in some places, in particular in urban and metropolitan areas.

Model Polling Stations 2,304 Polling Stations managed by all Female Polling Personnel 1,147

The reader is invited to have a look at the district wise distribution of model Polling Stations and Polling Stations managed by women polling personnel.

Distribution of Model Polling Stations 1000 90 26 41 36 20 20 58 55 85 34 48 50 31 74 204 832 142 101 147 100 110 800

600

400

200

0 outh aldah Nadia Purulia M Howrah ednipur ednipur Bankura Hooghly Birbhum Burdwan lipurduar Jalpaiguri Darjeeling A oochbehar urshidabad C M Kolkata North Kolkata S Uttar Dinajpur Purba M Dakshin Dinajpur outh 24-Parganas Paschim M S North 24-parganas Polling Stations Managed by Female Polling Personnel

300 8 7 26 25 14 14 51 55 51 24 29 21 14 11 15 14 50 128 258 108 224 250 200 150 100 50 0 outh aldah Nadia Purulia M Howrah ednipur ednipur Bankura Hooghly Birbhum Burdwan lipurduar Jalpaiguri Darjeeling A oochbehar urshidabad C M Kolkata North Kolkata S Uttar Dinajpur Purba M Dakshin Dinajpur outh 24-Parganas Paschim M S North 24-parganas

Model Polling Stations had been set up in all the districts with refreshing variations. We recount below one such best example of Model Polling Station in the district of Bankura.

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 187 General Elections to 188 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016 Gouripur Leprosy Colony Model Polling Station with a Purpose Regional Leprosy Training and Research Institute, – there was separate medical team to caters to Gouripur, better known as Gouripur Leprosy Hospital voters in times of medical emergencies ; situated at Kalyanpur, a small village 8-km away from – Wheel chair, tri-cycle and stretcher were kept Bankura town, is one of the big leprosy hospitals in ready for carrying the voters to the Polling India. Stations within the periphery of 200 meters; For the last 32 years, the hospital had been running – small vehicle was also kept ready for carrying in a PPP model. About 150 patients stricken with voters to the Polling Station within the periphery leprosy were staying there for a long time. With them, of 200 meters; the Doctors, Nurses, Staff and their family members As an interesting innovation, the staff of Gouripur were also residing in the Gouripur Leprosy Colony. Leprosy Hospital was engaged as polling personnel so So, over the time, they became electors under the that the voters could have a sense of belongingness 212, Gouripur Leprosy Colony Office, a Polling Station and feel at ease with the election process. Moreover, under Bankura I Development Block. The booth at a month-long pre-poll campaign was held through a present had 323 number of electors. bouquet of activities: In the Assembly Elections to the West Bengal – campaign rallies involving the lepers from Legislative Assembly, 2016, following Commission’s the colony with various posters and banners mandate in the Press Note to ensure an inclusive displaying different messages promoting free & election for all, a special drive to taken deciding to fair election; develop 212, Gouripur Leprosy Colony Office as a Model Polling Station. Basic Minimum facilities were – Demonstration of Electronic Voting Machine and VVPATs to the voters so that the uneasiness with available as in all other Polling stations in the district. EVM and VVPAT machines is removed and the However, some additional facilities, characteristic of electors could cast their votes smoothly; Model Polling Stations, were ensured at the Polling Premise: – Puppet Shows were organized at the campus to promote the message of voting as a democratic – Display of proper signage at conspicuous places right for all citizens of the society and being an to facilitate the electors; integral part of the society, they enjoy equal – Deployment of female staff at theV oter rights. Assistance Booth(VAB) to facilitate the voters; The Block and District administration took all possible – supply of drinking water and arrangement of steps to bring the voters of the Colony out of their sitting at the VAB for the voters; houses and mustered the mental strength to cast their vote. In 212, Gouripur Polling station, 200 voters – the Polling Station area was visibly clean; exercised their franchise, out of 323 electors

Woman galvanised 212, Gouripur leprosy colony office Water facility

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 189 Human Stories of wbla elections, 2016

What Elections meant to Dasai Munda The General Elections to the West Bengal Legislative would have it, he was struck with illness. He was a poor Assembly, 2016 ushered in new perspectives for many and helpless inhabitant in Nakhati Tea Garden area and like me, not much exposed to elections before, with the had been suffering from high fever for the past one week. introduction of many new measures like Naka Checking, Dasai was unable to move from his bed, yet he strongly Block Level Flying Squads, an engrossing schedule of desired that he would vote. He had a right to vote. He was SVEEP activities, Model Polling Stations and what not. I handed over the inland letter. Dasai stated in his letter to often felt a sense of fun: somebody was doing something the District Election Officer that he wanted to vote even if new out of the bag!! that would entail consequences beyond his control.

Few days before the date of elections, the District Magistrate The district administration was there to give all the support and the Superintendant of Police came out with a plan he needed. Accordingly, the Sector Officer, Shri Dorjee to distribute inland letters printed with the image of the Tamang, was directed to look into the poor man’s situation District Mascot, Teesta pleading all electors in the district and explore what assistance could be given to him on the to vote and vote ethically. Teesta was a young local girl, a day of poll. So, Mr. Dorjee Tamang and his Sector Assistant TG Worker, also a first time voter, bearing the same name Shri Dhiraj Sarkar, visited the house of Dasai Munda who as the most important river flowing through the district, spoke to them for hours regarding his illness and his resolve Teesta, meandering across scenic lush tea gardens around. to vote. On poll day, 17.04.2016, they went to his house, She was aware of her democratic rights and duties, urging helped him get into the Sector Vehicle and took him to voters to cast their votes. The inland letters were designed Booth No. 21/66, Nakhati T.G. Primary School, where he specially for distribution among vulnerable voters and in voted in consultation with the Presiding Officer following tea gardens in order to encourage the voters there to come Commission’s instructions in letter and spirit. After he his up with their views, ideas and suggestions so that elections vote, Dasai Munda was handed over a Certificate of Thanks may be conducted in the district in a peaceful manner on by the Sector Officer in the Polling Station Premise itself 17th. April, 2016. and took him back to his house in the Sector Vehicle. Such The inland letters were collected at Block Offices and warm gesture from the administration really brightened up then, packed in convenient bundles, forwarded to the Dasai Munda’s face and he was full of praise for the Sector District Magistrate. People gave interesting and valuable Officer and his assistant. suggestions. Some shared their grief and grievances Out of numerous activities that were performed and stating that their expectations were not met. Of a plethora tackled during WBLA 2016 as time bound exercises, this of such inland letters daily flocking in the desk of the one incident was worth remembering now and beyond District Election Officer, she found one letter different and serving as an instance to reach out to the common people interesting. It was a letter written by an infirm voter sharing and help people in distress even during the heat and hectic his plight about being unable to exercise his franchise due schedule of elections. For more than six decades we have to his illness though he wished it earnestly to vote. been witnessing the conduct of successful elections, we Ever since Dasai Munda of Nakhati Tea Garden in Matiali take pride in being part of the largest democracy in the Development Block had been a voter of Polling Station world. Yet a tiny affair like this will be remembered for what number 66 in 21-Nagrakata (ST) Assembly Constituency, elections mean to a common citizen and the election team he never missed the opportunity to vote. But, as ill luck reaching out to fellow citizens in a bond of humanity.

Why Vote in Every Election !

When the largest democracy of the world gears up to go Every morning, he went to the jungle to collect fodder for to poll, it involves people from all sections of the society, cows which he had been doing since his early boyhood. cutting across social and economic barriers. Poll becomes Despite all odds, difficult terrain, scarcity of water and a ritual, a festival. However, Santosh Rai, a 47 year old the bare minimum produce from his land, he continued ordinary farmer with a small patch of land and a pair of to remain firm in his sense of duty as a true citizen of cow, did not appear to me to be a great enthusiast for poll. the country. With a broad grin, he admitted, whenever He only could sense the buzz slowly drumming around asked, he had not missed a single election, be it Assembly, as political campaigns started gaining pitch. He only Parliament or Local Body election. He was not keen to struggled to feed his family and his pair of cows. receive any benefits from anybody. A school dropout,

General Elections to 190 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016 Santosh told me that he did not expect benefits of any kind stood for what he felt his duty, that he voted was, in itself, from anybody. an example. In our times when it is customary to equate one’s identity with one’s political affiliation, Santosh stands As he stayed in a remote village in the District of Darjeeling, apart as a brand ambassador of our democracy in his own he was witness to the high voltage political campaign of silent way. various political parties. Staying far away also entailed hardships. As I came to meet him, he narrated before me When asked about his hidden yet infectious enthusiasm, an incident. He said that he had defied one call for poll he felt shy and told that he was proud to be a free citizen, boycott declared by some political party few years back. free to air his views in the society where we all live. I was We all knew that any call for poll boycott call was more humbled before this man who perhaps did not have much often dictated by some people who were united for some in terms of wealth and so called formal education but all common political agenda. I surmised the risk taken by the same, a very wise and rich citizen. (The identity of the Santosh, the poor man, who could muster enough courage person is not disclosed). to defy the collective show of strength in the call for poll boycott. He was not harmed, though. But the fact that he As told to George Lepcha, BDO,Cooch Behar-II Dev. Block

The Kolkata Story of a Polling Officer

Asked how one would venture to decode elections, the that her father would also be provided support to keep answer is many instead of one straight jacketed formula. insulin in cold condition. Elections, with its multitudinous dimensions, continue to be an enigma. However, for many, the beauty of elections On 29th April, 2016, the day previous to Poll day, it lies in the challenge to deliver in face of constraints. One was known that he was appointed at Polling Station major constraint we often face is the shortage of Polling No.136-New Foundation under 161 Ballygunge AC On Personnel amidst large number of prayers of exemptions instructions from the District Election Officer, Sri Sagar from duty. Sometimes, the grounds for exemption appear Bandyopadhyay, ARO of 161-Ballygunge AC provided all genuine. Sometimes, however, we have also to reject many necessary assistance to Sri Sankar Dutta for both Poll and of such prayers at the cost of being castigated as insensitive P-1 days. An ice bag was bought and an arrangement was and even inhuman. Imagine one sobbing daughter coming made to keep the insulin with ice bag at the freezer in the to the Office praying for exemption of her father from shop from where it was bought. election duty lest her father should die for non-availability 29th April (P-1 day), 9.00 PM: Sector Officer Sri Narayan of insulin. Das reached insulin to Sri Dutta for his daily dose. At In General Elections to the West Bengal Legislative night, arrangement had similarly been made to keep the Assembly, 2016, Sri Sankar Dutta was appointed as the 3rd insulin in ice bags in a freezer at the residence of an officer polling officer by the District Election Officer of Kolkata since the shop would remain closed on Election Day. In South electoral district. He attended election training the morning, the ARO Sri Bandyopadhyay took the ice at the Ashutosh College. In the 2nd training, he came to bag with insulin and handed over it to Sri Sankar Dutta know that he was appointed for 161-Ballygunge A.C. But, before the start of poll itself. The ice bag was cool enough as things had turned, he suddenly became ill just few days which would keep the insulin in good condition for the before the elections. It was detected that he was diabetic. entire day. The Sector Officer also enquired about his The physician prescribed for him intake of insulin twice health every time he visited the Polling Station. daily. 30th April, Poll Day: Officers of 161 Ballygunge AC felt He applied to the District Election Officer for exemption very happy when they saw Sri Dutta, the 3rd Polling from duty. His daughter came to the office and started Officer in good condition at the Receiving Centre. Sri weeping. She went on saying, sobbing, that her diabetic Dutta completed his assigned duties diligently and came father might die if he were assigned election duties. He to the Receiving Centre to submit the EVM and other needed insulin preserved in cold conditions such that it polled materials. He was very happy that he could perform were effective for use. The daughter asked how his father his duty well without any hazards to his health and so were would keep insulin in good condition for two continuous we, as we also kept our promises. days when drafted on election duties in some remote The daughter too was elated. She thanked the District polling station. The District Election Officer assured, Election Officer profusely for extending the much needed smilingly, that her father would be safe and she promised support to his father.

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 191 Interventions for Election Personnel Welfare

The Election Commission of India put a considerable emphasis on providing adequate welfare measures for the personnel deployed on election duties, particularly for the polling and security personnel deployed at the polling stations who actually formed the frontal edifice of election.T hey also contributed to the major manpower deployment in election management. In the state of West Bengal, the practice of providing welfare measures were in vogue and some of the measures had already been standardized over the years, but there remained certain areas where the need for further quality enhancement and extension of those measures became a felt need. After elaborate deliberations at different tiers and careful appraisal of the issues and concerns in this regard, some innovative initiatives, which were introduced and effectively implemented in some of the districts of West Bengal in earlier elections were undertaken, this time, in the entire state in a uniform manner.

Some of initiatives there were mandatory in nature. the required forms were sequentially sorted in a bunch in the form of a booklet, it helped in locating the forms n Assembly Constituency wise Colour Coding by the polling party in hours of urgency and there was and Design: In order to mitigate confusion and absolutely no scope for missing any form. An index inconveniences at multi constituency DC/RC where containing the items and the occasion of using the polling personnel of different Assembly Constituencies forms was included in the booklet for ready reference. gather at a single place for collection and submission This small intervention aimed at mitigating hassles of polling materials, separate colour codes were used of distraught polling personnel helped a lot in not for the different Assembly Constituencies (ACs) for missing any statutory requirements of poll process. ease of identification and constituency wise sorting of activities and documents. Specific colour was n Payment of polling allowance through electronic used for a particular constituency for flex display of credit system: An all out drive was taken for making decoded list of polling personnel after randomization payment of allowances to polling personnel to their at DC, tents and counters at DC/RC, badges of DC/RC personal bank account by direct transfer of cash personnel including support staff, vehicle stickers, through electronic credit system. No physical payment badges of transport/vehicle staff, Sector vehicle etc. In of cash was made to them neither at training venues many of the districts, specific colour codes were also nor at DCRC. To accomplish this task successfully, used for vehicle permits for the contesting candidates the information on bank particulars of the polling for use on campaign and poll day. In case of districts personnel were collected , verified and corrected well having large number of assembly constituencies, ahead of preparation of appointment letters so that colours were used in combination of geometric the allowances could be transferred to individual patterns to give a specific identity. accounts within due time.

n Unit Concept: Various activities that a polling n Transport Grid There was a convention in many of team undertakes at the DC/RC like collection and the districts in West Bengal to make arrangement submission of polling materials, sms registration, for picking up and dropping polling personnel attendance, EVM & material distribution, information near his home before and after poll duty using the on vehicle, tagging of Micro Observers/camera requisitioned vehicles to facilitate movement of the persons etc. were made from a single counter. The polling personnel. This time, the age old system was same counter was used for receiving of post poll given fresh thrust through forming a 'Transport Grid' materials including polled EVMs at the RC. The whole in which the desired boarding and dropping point idea behind it was that the polling personnel were of each and every polling personnel were plotted in not required to shuttle from one counter to another a database and thus a grid was generated through for receiving or depositing materials. This not only optimum use of resources of requisitioned vehicles and mitigated hassles of the polling personnel but also requirements of polling personnel. The dissemination helped a lot in collecting papers, required for the of the information on the availability and schedule of scrutiny by returning officer and observer on the very such vehicles was made through district website and next day. display boards at the training venues. The feedback received after poll indicated that this system has n Perforated booklet: For convenience of the polling helped the polling personnel in mitigating their teams, perforated booklets containing all statutory anxiety and difficulty of getting transport after the poll and non-statutory forms, arranged sequentially day work. which are used at the polling station on the Poll Day were given to the polling teams so that the polling n Arrangement for food for the polling personnel personnel just had to fill up, detach the required form through Self Help Groups: Getting food at the from the booklet and took action as necessary. As all polling stations is a real problem on the poll day for

General Elections to 192 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016 the polling personnel who are usually not in a position n SMS based dissemination of information on to go out of the polling station and arrange for food important events to polling personnel: As the during poll hours . To solve this problem, this time, mobile numbers of all polling personnel were entered Self Help Groups were identified for arranging food in the database, information on all important events for the polling personnel at the polling stations. The pertaining to the involvement of the polling personnel SHGs , tagged for each polling station were especially beginning from training activities to deployment briefed to provide hygienic food to polling personnel ,were disseminated to them through sms based on payment basis. The SHGs ,in many places also communication system in addition to the traditional arranged for Bed rolls containing basic requirements modes. like mosquito net, bed sheet, pillow, satranchi, etc on n Nodal Officer in charge of Polling Personnel rental basis. welfare: A Nodal Officer from senior rank was n Provision of Health Kit: While on poll day when huge identified for each DC/RC whose name, designation number of polling personnel are deployed at polling and contact details were communicated to the polling stations, incidents of falling sick are not uncommon. personnel through notices and district website for Getting medicines at polling stations, particularly in ease of coordination with the polling personnel while remote areas and in odd hours is very hard. Therefore, they were on poll duty in the matters of PP welfare or this time, it was planned to meet up the medicinal any other emergency. requirements of the polling personnel while at duty n Information window: A window was developed through provision of a Health & Utility kit. The kit in the website of many of the districts through a contained few basic medicines for some common prominent icon so that polling personnel of the ailments like fever, stomach trouble, and acidity. district were able to get access of all information on Also to ensure comfortable stay at polling stations training programmes, routes to DC/RC or any related some utility items like ORS, band-aids, rolled cotton, information instantly .This window was also utilized bandage, mercurochrome solution, mosquito coil, by the DEO to disseminate any newly introduced hand sanitizer etc. were also included in the kit. The kits instruction and for meeting up queries. were prepared and supplied by the Gluconate Health Limited, an undertaking of the state government. The n Facilities at the polling stations: As contained in supply was made at the district head quarters and at the BMF, an intensive drive was taken up to ensure the end users' level, these were given to all polling availability of drinking water, lights, fans, furniture, parties and sector teams. After the poll was over, potable drinking water, toilets etc. at every polling the polling personnel expressed satisfaction on the stations so that while on duty, polling personnel get unique gesture of paying attention to the needs of the basic minimum facilities. Emphasis was given on polling personnel by the election administration. overall cleanliness of the polling station and usability of the facilities. n Mapping of every polling station with referral hospital: It had often been seen that when a polling n Reimbursement towards treatment of all election official or security person fell ill at polling station personnel for any injuries/sickness occurring while on duty, delay was caused in finding the nearest during course of election duties: In absence of any hospital where treatment of the personnel could scope for reimbursement towards cost of treatment be taken up . In this election, in order to provide for any injuries/sickness occurring during course immediate hospital need of a sick polling/security of election duties to any personnel, which often personnel, an exercise was taken up for mapping each becomes a great burden on the persons needing and every polling station with the nearest referral hospitalization to make payments, particularly the hospital or health centre having indoor facility where private persons who got engaged in elections but he could be admitted and provided with medical care. otherwise not covered by any insurance benefits, The details of the referral hospital were reflected in the the matter of reimbursement was taken up with the communication plan. The lists were made available state government and finance department allowed to the Sector Officers to co ordinate in the matter of reimbursement upto Rs one lakh even to the private hospitalization. To move a step ahead, tie-up with persons. For example, in Darjeeling district, a vehicle hospitals were made in advance for cashless treatment carrying polling personnel fell into a ditch and the and reservation of beds for polling personnel, falling driver, who is a private person had to be admitted to ill during election duties. The enlisted hospitals under the hospital for serious injuries and hospital bills piled West Bengal Health System ( WBHS) and Rashtriya up. Though his family had to make initial payments to Swasthya Bima Yojona (RSBY) were brought into the the hospital, the assurance of reimbursement of the referral network by the respective District Election hospital bill by the election office had made him and Officers for smooth implementation of the initiative. his family relieved .

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 193 n Air ambulance for LWE areas: For quick evacuation of personnel, polling, security etc. in the eventuality of any untoward incident during elections in the LWE areas, the state government made arrangement for the availability of air ambulance on poll days which further highlighted the effort of the election administration on ensuring welfare of the people, engaged in elections.

n Cashless treatment for CAPF: In a similar manner, this time state government was persuaded to make tie up with hospitals for ensuring cashless treatment to the CAPF, in case they fell sick/injured during course of their duties. But the toughest part of the welfare initiatives, as mentioned above laid in the implementation, which was only made possible through the good efforts taken at the district level .Ultimately with a concerted effort by all, it can be said that a good beginning has been made towards ensuring welfare for the personnel, working at elections, though it is needless to say that, a long road has yet remained to be traversed.

Welfare Measures for Persons with n tactile signage at the Polling Stations; Disabilities (PWDs) n a dedicated helpline in the district for Persons With disabilities to facilitate them to know their Polling Welfare of the Specially Able Voters was integral to Stations/Electoral details/facilities available at the the overall welfare measures taken during the General Polling Stations. legislative assembly elections in the state concluded a few months past. Other than implementing standing Specific steps were taken to address instructions of the Commission, which mandate 100% the needs of Persons with Disabilities coverage of ramps in the Polling Stations along with special provisions for the old, infirm and disable voters, (PWDs) special target specific interventions were envisaged, Welfare of Persons with disabilities were made a quite early, when we prepared plan for the assembly thrust area for intervention by districts. Many districts elections. Even before, during the Summary Revision proceeded in a structured way, making it an integral Exercise and Pre-Revision period, the presence of part of DEMP, DEOs, like DEO, Coochbehar issued voters suffering from disability were flagged in the specific instructions for making tangible impact BLO Registers. On Spot, special hearing at homes of of such interventions. At the State level, campaign prospective PWD voters was ensured also in districts material was developed in a manner that it was like Purbo Medinipur. Closure to the elections, specific disabled friendly. The audio-visual spots incorporated interventions were planned and accommodated in sign language to make elections more meaningful to the State SVEEP Plan having following doable action the persons with disability. points: n many districts involved differently able persons in n a survey should be taken by DEOs to ascertain the disseminating messages of SVEEP eliciting greater actual needs of the stakeholders: what needs they participation from the community of disabled actually wanted or whether they wanted it at all. voters. The KAP survey conducted a few days before the elections were to provide useful insights in this n District Help: lines were provided to facilitate regard; Voters with disability. n the Campaign material of SVEEP was to have the n a dummy ballot paper in Braille was made component of sign language; available with Polling Officer at each Polling Station. n Districts should design specific campaign strategies by involving Persons With n Wheel chairs were provided at Polling Stations including Model Polling Stations. n Disabilities in motivating Voters with Disabilities to vote; n Differently able persons having exhibited extraordinary calibre in the field of sports were n the Sector Officers/BLOs were to be suitably appointed as district icons, as in the Purbo sensitized of their roles to bring Specially Medinipur district, advocating the cause of Abled Persons to the Polling Stations to vote. inclusive election. Interpersonal communication was to be used optimally to bring all PWD voters to vote on the Districts evolved different strategies of reaching out to Poll day; the voters.

General Elections to 194 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016 Polling Personnel Welfare: Malda experience

Malda Experience Our tryst with Polling Personnel welfare People make things happen and it were they who make Initiatives things endowed with success. This is felt most palpable in times of elections which require a reasonably high scale Reception Gate: A reception gate with multiple of coordination among men. The Election Commission information Display board was erected at the main emphasized the importance of well being of polling entrance of the Dispersal-cum-Reception centre at personnel prescribing for them basic amenities at DC/ Malda Polytechnic. The Display board contained various RC and Polling Stations, thus enabling them to perform in information better. Various instructions were issued to address such as the list of the issue of polling personnel welfare from a humane De-coded Polling perspective: Stations, Vehicle tagging, Maps • Senior officer to function as Nodal Officer showing details coordinating with all stakeholders and supervising of DCRC and Mass welfare measures information. • Proper arrangement of basis amenities at training venues, Dispersal and Reception centre. • Refreshment arrangements on payment basis. • Health care/ first aid kits for polling personnel In Malda district, a total of 13002 polling personnel were engaged to perform polling duties, other than staff, officials who assembled at the Distribution Centres on the day previous to Poll day. Situation ANALYSED Experience suggested that there were certain areas Help desk which required attention of policy makers. In course of For polling personnel, one central Help desk along with conduct of elections, Polling personnel as well as the individual AC wise help desks was set up in the DC/RC. staff engaged at the Distribution and Receiving Centers faced a myriad of problems: One Official was dedicated from the D.C/R.C Cell for each • There were lack of co-ordination between different individual assembly constituency segment to facilitate Cells engaged at the Distribution and Receiving distribution and reception of election materials and to Centers; communicate the status of dispersal and reception of materials to the core team of D.C.R.C Cell headed by the • Insuffiency of information and guidance for the Officer-in-Charge of the D.C.R.C Cell. Polling Personnel; At each Help Desk, the following items were provided:- • Poor or inadequate arrangements of food at the DCRC and Polling stations; 1. Handouts meant for Training. • No specific arrangements were available to mitigate 2. Decoding list. emerging problems faced by the Polling Personnel; 3. Details of EVMs, Paper Seal accounts etc. • Problems related to Vehicle management, covering 4. Details of Vehicles. a wide range of difficulties from smooth vehicle 5. Details of Camera Tagging. tagging and movement of vehicles from the 6. specimen copies of forms added by latter orders of dispersal centre to the Polling Station and the return the Election Commission of India and by displaying journey back to the Polling Station; the same through Posters for Convenience of the • Inadequate medical facilities for Polling Personnel. Polling Personnel.

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 195 Health Care The health care of the polling personnel was another important concern. A special Medical Counter was opened at the DCRC to attend the PP. Moreover, a MEDICAL KIT BAG was supplied at the Polling Bag of each Polling Party. Also from previous experience, it Coordination and Supervision was observed that availability of Safe drinking water is Supervisors were deployed to knit together Reception, another problem for the PP. All the PP were supplied Help desk and Distribution / Reception counters so that with 8 lit of packaged drinking water. the polling personnel are kept at ease at the Reception before entering the collection and distribution centers. The Supervisors closely looked after the following areas of human contacts and interactions – Having a close look that all counter -personnel reach their counters within the stipulated time. – Having a brief information regarding the latest guidelines of the ECI with the Center Personnel by the Officials of D.C.R.C Cell. Transportation – materials are timely supplied to each counter by the Arrangements of vehicles at the DCRC have always been material cell. an important sector to be looked after cautiously. In this – evms are timely supplied to respective counters by regard, planning was made in the following way- the EVM Cell. – several meeting with the O/C Traffic in presence – Monitoring the party formation, sms of vehicle cell representatives to ensure smooth registration,receiving of materials and departure of management of traffic on P-1 and P- Day in and polling personnel, collecting the hourly report and around the D.C.R.C venue. communicate the same to the Election Cell. – identification of places where vehicles could be – separate arrangements for briefing theM icro- temporarily garaged in case of road blockage and observers and separate arrangement for sending preparation of sketch map and communicating the them to respective blocks for deployment. same to all concerned. Cheap Canteen – assembly wise continuous serial nos of vehicles and display of the nos list against the Polling party nos. A team was constituted to look after the refreshment arrangement for the polling personnel. Due care was Special Initiatives taken to provide good quality food in cheap price. Moreover, 10 nos stalls were arranged for supplying FREE It has often been found that arranging multiple TEA and DRINKS (SARBAT). The following arrangements Assemblies in one DCRC is always a tough task in were made at the 03 no of Food Court run by SHG relation to the prevention of mixing of materials, staffs, Women EVM machines etc. Moreover, Polling personnel faces – cheap rate meal at Rs. 30/- only problem in identifying his AC and the Counter. Keeping in view, the following initiatives were adopted:- – Buffet system Lunch & Dinner 1. colour Coded DCRC Tent for easy identification Mobile recharge stalls were also opened for PP. 2. Colour Coded mass information display (flex) at all tent and throughout DCRC venue. 3. Colour Coded Cap for all DCRC Counter Staff and Officials. 4. colour Coded Jacket for all Contingent Menials 5. colour Coded I Card for all DCRC Staff And Contingent Menials

General Elections to 196 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016

chapter

Media XI management

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 199 Media has been a close ally of the Election Commission for long. It has brought Election Commission’s directives, policies, initiatives and welfare measures for the purpose of information and facilitation of citizens of the country. Media campaign on policies and initiatives of the Commission have significantly contributed to keep alive the confidence of people in the Constitution and its democratic functioning. Having penetration deep inside human psyche, it is also a very important source of information for election-managers to know what is happening in the field and accordingly help them take mid-term corrections.

Engaging with Media were prepared for planning at both state and district levels. Activities, preceding the actual election process, A number of facets come out in our engagement with were completed quite early. District level MCMCs were media during elections. The first of the many interfaces re-organized following existing instructions of the is utilizing reach of media to bring home messages of the Commission. At the State level, Jt CEO’s committee Election Commission of India. Further, the Commission was reconstituted inducting Assistant Director, PIB as has directed to exercise supervision and control over member of the committee. DEO, Kolkata South continued candidates and political parties in their use of media. to function as other member of the committee. Training Following directives of the honorable Supreme Court, the of the Nodal Officer of Media was an important node Election Commission has framed elaborate guidelines in this important process. Necessary instructions of for regulating advertisement of political nature in the Commission, along with the Compendium of electronic media including social media. The underlying Instructions on Paid News and related matters, were tenet is that all political advertisements in electronic deliberated, debated and doable action points were and social media, and on poll day, even in print media, hammered into perspective before we actually stepped had to get certified by competent committees formed into the conduct election process. at the State and district levels. Corollary to it, there had to be a control mechanism for checking Paid News as Following Commission’s instructions, a media work-shop and when it would surface in print and electronic media. was organized at the Bhasa Bhavan. In the work shop, The third very important activity associated with media issues related to media management were discussed management was issuing Authority Letters to media in detail with representatives from print and electronic representatives for the purpose of media coverage on media from across the districts. Inaugurated by the both the days of poll and counting. Over and above, Additional Chief Electoral Officer, West Bengal, the media the media had to be briefed on a regular basis, often work-shop had detailed discussions on instructions of on a day-to-day basis that would include daily press the Commission related to media management, Media briefings and press conferences and issuing PressN otes Certification, PaidN ews, SAMADHAN, SUVIDHA and on subjects that warranted immediate public attention. different policy initiatives taken by theC ommission in Media Monitoring, especially media monitoring on Poll the run-up to the elections. Other than issues mentioned day and one day previous to Poll day, had assumed above, there were specific discussions on duties and large significance since the last Lok Sabha Elections. responsibilities of media on the days of Poll and Counting Interspersed with these activities, there remained and in general, throughout the election process. always a dedicated team at CEO and district offices to The media work shop was rounded off with a lively keep a close watch on news items published in print question-answer session on topics discussed in the media on a day-to-day basis. Paper clips on important meeting. newspaper items were sent daily to the Commission for its kind appraisal. Print Advertisement Media Planning Print advertisements through newspapers were issued in keeping with the media policy. As a part of this policy, At the State Office of the CEO, WB, we followed a press advertisements are released regularly round the meticulously prepared plan of action. Media Check lists year from the CEO Office such as on the occasion of the

General Elections to 200 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016 Draft and Final Publication of Electoral Rolls, National The major thrust of print advertisement had been Voters’ Day and other major electoral events requiring spreading Poll Day information and SAMADHAN. Since wider reach among the electorate. Information SAMADHAN had been a major IT initiative having a regarding Poll Day as Paid Holiday, declaration of Poll large interface with citizens and political parties, a and Counting days as Dry Days and ban on Exit and print advertisement entirely dedicated to information Opinion poll were brought to public notice, in the form on SAMADHAN and Complaint Management System of Press Notes already released by the Commission, in the State was published immediately before the first though I and CA department of the State Government. Poll day.

Successively, following precedents of previous General Elections in the state, advertisements were published in both English and the vernacular Bengali on P-1 days reflecting the essentials of Poll day information: date and time of Poll, names of ACs of Poll going districts, use of EVM and VVPATs and alternate EPIC documents. On a number of occasions, newspaper advertisements were published in local newspapers at the district-level also. These were statutory and other important issues • Notification of rates of items of expenditure by DEOs in local newspapers of the districts; • Publication in Newspapers by DEOs of Observers’ details (Contact No/Place of Stay/Schedule of meeting); • Advertisement in Print media about measures taken for expenditure control; and others.

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 201 Media Certification

Media Certification Committees were formed at both state and district levels for pre-certification of advertisement of political nature in electronic and social media. Following the precedent of the General Legislative Assembly Elections in Bihar, the Commission instructed that print advertisements in newspapers on the Poll days would also be pre- certified by the Joint CEO’s committee at the State level and the District MCMCs in the districts. Pre-certification of campaign material of political nature was, thus, issued in respect of both print and electronic media. Instructions of the Commission in the matter of pre-certification were shared with the district authorities and representatives of recognized political parties. Media representatives were also apprised about the pre-certification issues in the Media Work shop that was organized a few days before the date of announcement. In a major initiative, in order to avoid troubles that might crawl in case any Radio/Audio-visual channel transmits political campaign without pre- certification of competent authority, a directive was issued to different electronic media including Radio FMs and television networks to ensure that all campaign material were to be pre-certified before they were transmitted on air.

General Elections to 202 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016 The Joint CEO’s Committee for pre-certification was chaired by the Joint Chief Electoral Officer. DEO Kolkata (South) and Assistant Director, Press Information Bureau, Kolkata were the other members of the committee. During the last Lok Sabha Elections, 2014, the composition of District Media Certification Committee had been revised by the Commission to the extent of making the Returning Officer Chairman of the PC level Media Certification Committee along with an ARO who would be an officer not below the rank of the Sub-Divisional Magistrate. District level MCMCs were formed in all the districts following the above noted guidelines taking into its fold independent journalists working in the districts. Pre-Certification at State level

No. of Objections Advertisement Decision Advertisement Appeal to the raised by the re-submitted Advertisement Taken by the material CEO’s appellate Joint CEO’s after pre-Certified Appellate submitted for Committee Committee modification Committee Certification 205 42 39 202 2 2

With a view to facilitating candidates and political parties, the existing guidelines and formats of application for media certification were uploaded in the website of the Chief Electoral Officer.T he Commission relaxed the time- frame of pre-certification by directing that all applications from candidates and political parties should be disposed within 48 hours of receipt. This condition was subsequently relaxed by 3 days from the time of receipt following a proposal mooted from the state of West Bengal. At the State level, a total of 205 applications were received at the CEO Office all of which were disposed, with and without modifications, following the strict timeline.T wo appeal petitions were filed which were disposed by the CEO’s appellate committee in time. Certification of Advertisement(s) of Political nature in Electronic Media

Certificate(s) Number of Appeals made to the Name of the Total Number issued with Advertisement Chief Electoral Officer’s political parties of applications modifications materials certified Appellate Committee AITC 103 20 102 1 BJP 49 8 48 1 CPI(M) 24 6 23 0 INC 27 5 26 0 Samajwadi Party 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 Total

A total of 22 advertisement materials were published in newspapers on Poll day after they were duly advertised by the Joint CEO’s committee.

Name of the Political Parties Number of newspaper advertisements AITC 8 BJP 12 INC 2 Total 22

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 203 Pre-Certification at District level

No. of Applications for Decision Advertisement Objections Appeal to the Advertisement Advertisement Taken by the material raised by the CEO’s appellate disposed fter pre-Certified Appellate submitted for District MCMCs Committee modification Committee Certification 297 30 39 202 2 2

No. of Advertisement Applications Number of Applications Applications Applications material submitted disposed Meetings disposed within disposed with rejected by for Pre-Certification without held timeline modification District MCMcs in electronic media modification 297 129 297 39 202 2

Pre-certification was also to be obtained in political advertisement floated on the internet also.T his has been a new feature of media certification policy introduced in the Lok Sabha Elections, 2014. Electronic media included social media and e-papers. Paid News At both State and district levels, there was a mechanism to check instances of Paid news which could surface both in print and electronic media. A number of checks were ingrained in the control mechanism: 1. it was extensively verified whether the name and address of the printer and the publisher is printed on any election pamphlet, poster handbill, and other documents as required u/s 127 A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. 2. it was also monitored whether the advertisement in Print Media is with/without the authority of the candidate. In case of the former, the expenditure was booked in the election expenses of the candidate. In the latter, action was taken for prosecution of the publisher u/s 171 H of the IPC. As per the existing law, the Returning Officer would issue notices to the candidates on the basis of recommendations of the District MCMCs for inclusion of actual expenditure on published matter in their election expenses accounts or notional expenditure based on the DIPR/DAVP rates. Notices issued to the candidates in the suspected instances of Paid News were uploaded in the district websites on a day-to-day basis. The compiled report of districts on suspected Paid News cases was reported to the Commission on a weekly basis and invariably on Poll day. Paid News Cases Reported Name of State/ Number of Paid news cases where Number of cases confirmed by UT Notices have been issued MCMCs Print Media Electronic Media Print Media Electronic Media West Bengal 4 0 1 0

Issuing Authority Letters to Media Persons: Authority letters were issued to media representatives of both print and electronic media for coverage on days of poll and counting strictly following the instructions of Election Commission of India. Media Passes were issued after obtaining approval of the Commission only to media persons who were recommended by the Information and Cultural Affairs (I and CA) Department. In terms of Commission’s instructions, media passes were to be issued authority passes on the principle that on a particular Poll day, only one person from one media house would be issued authority letter in case of both print and electronic media. On the day of Counting, on the other hand, one media person from print and two media persons from electronic media-one reporter and the other cameraman- would be

General Elections to 204 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016 allowed authority letters. It took advanced planning and initiatives under SVEEP to promote voters’ awareness timely execution such that the entire process could be and issues which were felt necessary to be shared with completed involving multiple authorities and authority the media for appropriate dissemination of information letters issued to the media persons in time from districts. to the electorate. As it is customary, press briefings were Following the precedent of the last Lok Sabha Elections, followed with a question and answer session. 2016, the list of media persons as approved by the Commission were forwarded to the District Election The sixth and final phase of elections were marked by Officers who signed and issued them to the media the land mark event of enclave voting in Coochbehar persons. district. In Purbo Medinipur, special initiatives were taken for Specially able Persons to make their Poll A total of 5179 and 3258 number of media passes had been Experience comfortable. Both these events were issued respectively for the purpose of Poll and Counting highlighted through PowerPoint presentations, during after due scrutiny. the Press briefing sessions, immediately preceding the On the other hand, a number of leading News poll. The presentation turned out quite effective and the Broadcasters like NDTV, Zee News, IBN etc under the initiatives consumed a lot of space and coverage in both aegis of the News Broadcasters’ Association (NBA) had print and electronic media the next days. appointed AC Nielson Private Limited to collect and relay live counting updates and results from the counting Press Conference by the Chief Electoral centers on the day of counting of votes. The proposal, as Officer: Supplementing daily Press briefings by the in the previous years, reached only a few days before the Additional Chief Electoral Officer, West Bengal, Press were day of Counting. As it was examined, the list of media met at the same scheduled hours by the Chief Electoral persons had to be streamlined in accordance with Officer, West Bengal on a regular basis and invariably on the instructions of the Commission. The Commission the Poll Day. Major policy initiatives and ATRs on MCC accorded approval in due course of time. violations came through pronouncements of the Chief Electoral Officer in the press briefings. Occasionally, other Interacting with Media than regular Press meets, the Chief Electoral Officer also A continuous dialogue had been maintained with met the press informally to communicate information as media from the day of announcement of the schedule and when sought by the media. This included interviews of elections in the State. Press were briefed on a day-to- to Doordarshan and other electronic media on issues day basis at a fixed time (5:30 MP ) in the day to share like SAMADHAN, enclave Voting etc. information related to the conduct of elections and it continued till the day of Counting. Press Conference by the Chief Election Commissioner: Full Bench of the Election Press briefing: Press used to be briefed of a wide Commission had visited the State on three occasions, variety of subjects in the run up to the poll. The subjects the last one being held between the first and second ranged across information related to poll preparedness phase of elections. On each of the visits, the Commission such as MCC violations, Confidence Building Measures, held press conference which was followed with a Press EVM and Training issues, Expenditure surveillance, note uploaded in the website of the Commission and the Chief Electoral Officer.

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 205 In order to present necessary information to media in a structured way, a calendar of information event was followed. This we called Media Calendar. Every day, threads of information were shared with the media first, then followed a detailed deliberation on a theme specific to a particular subject related to conduct of elections. In the process, the media briefing had a judicious mix of information and analysis. The media, on its part, had a broader perspective. The Media Calendar was designed in such a fashion that the essential elements of information could be shared in a systematic manner.

March 2016 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 3 4 5 Announcement of Elections 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Electoral Roll data SVEEP Expenditure Monitoring Statutory Issues: Statutory Issues: Statutory Issues: Measures: Flying Squads Nominations Scrutiny Withdrawal & Static Surveillance Teams 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 CEC’s Press Conference Statutory Issues: Media Monitoring SAMADHAN & SUVIDHA Training of Polling Audio-Visual Allotment of Symbols including PAID NEWS Personnel Awareness Drives & list of contesting Surveillance candidates 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 Polling Personnel Photo Voter Slips Ethical Voting Modifications in the BMF/Model Polling Observers Welfare Ballot Paper Stations and Polling Stations managed by Women Polling Personnel 27 28 29 30 31 Non-CAPF measures in SAMADHAN EVM Issues including Radio Campaign elections Complaints training of EVM April 2016 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2

3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Poll day Statistics and Poll Day (1A) Major Highlights of 1A Communication of the IT Initiatives New Initiatives of SVEEP District Mascots District Initiatives of CEO, WB’s Press Poll Day finalT urn Out figures of in WBLA Elections, 2016 IA Phase Conference the 1A Phase 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Press Briefing on Poll Day (1B) Major Incidents & CEC’s Press Conference Law & Order Issues Press Briefing on Poll Day Statistics CEO, WB’s Press Communication of Poll Day Statistics (1B Phase) Conference the finalT urn Out (2 nd Phase) figures of the 1B Phase Communication of the finalT urn Out figures of the 1B Phase 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 Poll Day (2nd Phase): Major Incidents & Turn Best Practices of 3rd Press Briefing on Poll Day (3 rd) Major Incidents & Turn SAMADHAN CEO, WB’s Press Out figures of the third Phase Districts Poll Day Statistics CEO, WB’s Press Out figures of the third Complaints Conference phase (3rd Phase) Conference phase 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 Press Briefing on Poll Poll Day (4th Phase) Major Incidents & Turn SAMADHAN Best Practices of 6th Phase Poll Day (6th Phase) CEO, WB’s Press Day Statistics (5th CEO, WB’s Press Out figures of the Complaints Districts Press Briefing Conference Phase) Conference fourth phase on Poll Day Statistics (5th Phase)

General Elections to 206 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016 the State, practiced since last a few General and Bye- Elections with refinements being value added in course of time. Media watch, executed at both State and District levels, has following purposes: 1. Detection of instances of MCC violations 2. surveillance over suspected instances of Paid News 3. identification of important news items which may be brought to the knowledge of the Commission.

Press Notes: Press Conference by the Commission and the Chief Electoral Officer were followed with a Press Release, which was a synopsis of the salient points discussed in the meet in brief. Press Notes were also shared with media representatives through electronic mail.

WhatsApp Group: Another very effective strategy of engagement with media was through WhatsApp group which continued till the date of Counting. The Group was originally created by media representatives of which officers of the CEO Office were made members. In many An incisive surveillance had been exercised over both ways, it turned out to be quite an effective intervention. print and electronic media starting from the time Since members of the group were very active in sharing of announcement of elections till the final Poll day. information through this platform, this helped officers The Election Commission lays a strong emphasis on of the CEO Office remain abreast with the developments reporting of election related news items in newspapers. around in the busy hours of electioneering. On Poll days, Thus, come General Elections to the West Bengal periodic information on turn-out of voters were shared Assembly, 2016, the practice of cutting election related through the group other than occasional queries related news items in newspapers rolled out immediately to important activities happening in the CEO Office. after announcement. All major newspapers in the state published in vernacular, English and Hindi were Media Surveillance put under scrupulous scrutiny every day. News items having a bearing upon conduct of elections seen Media watch is a well set and standardized practice in through the lens of MCC, Paid News, Law and Order were screened and analyzed and then were sent to the Commission for review. The Election Commission often reverted to get some news items examined and reported back to the Commission within a defined time frame. Accordingly, the media cell worked in tandem with the SAMADHAN cell at the CEO Office. Any news item reported in newspapers having susceptibility to MCC/Complaints was invariably examined and fed into SAMADHAN software for factual reports from the related District Election Officer.N ewspaper Complaints sent by the Commission for review were considered with commensurate seriousness and invariably reported back to the Commission in time.

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 207 ELECTION COMMISSION OF INDIA Nirvachan Sadan. Ashoka Road. New Delhi-1100O1

No. ECI/PN/24/2016 Dated: 18th March, 2016

Press Note

Subject: - Deployment of ECI Special Team to assist CEO West Bengal.

There has been news reports published in some newspapers quoting that ECI to deploy Special Team for the first time in West Bengal, which is misinterpretative and misrepresentative of the fact and instructions issued by the Commission. The Commission has been sending teams to different States during the Assembly and Lok Sabha elections based on the need in consultation with the Chief Electoral Officers of the State.

Election Commission of India has decided to send five Special teams to assist CEO West Bengal and the Commission in assessing the preparedness of the electoral machinery at the grass root level. The visit of such teams will be for period as determined by ECI in consultation with Chief Electoral Officer, West Bengal and see the performance of ECI direction at grass root level by Official machinery.

At District level, the teams will interact closely with the District Magistrates/ District Election Officers and the Superintendents of Police

The Special Teams will take inputs from the CEO, West Bengal beforehand district wise and make a visit to the districts. On their return, they will give their feedback to the CEO and to the Commission. The Special Team are being sent in batches to Assam and West Bengal. The other teams will also visit to other poll going states in the near future.

Dhirendra Ojha (Director)

General Elections to 208 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016 ELECTION COMMISSION OF INDIA Nirvachan Sadan. Ashoka Road. New Delhi-1100O1 No. 1810-Home (Elec) dated 24.03.2016 Dated: 24th March, 2016 Press Note Subject: - Security Measures in connection with the WBLA Elections, 2016. On the basis of a report published in the India Express on 20 March 2016 and subsequent complaint received from the Bharatiya Janata Party, District Election Officers of seven districts, namely Purulia, Bankura, Paschim Medinipur, Nadia, Malda, Murshidabad and Birbhum were asked to report preventive actions taken by the districts to ensure strict vigil over ferrying of illegal arms and ammunitions in the districts and report status of seizure of illegal weapons. Reports have been received from all seven districts and sent to the Election Commission of India. Following is the district-wise gist of reports: Purulia The district has long borders with Jharkhand state wherefrom infiltration is checked through inter- state 'naka' points. 14 such 'naka' points have been set up by the Purulia district police. Since 1 December 2015, the district police has seized 14 unlinsed arms, 19 rounds of ammunitions and has arrested 24 persons. Bankura The district conducted 31 specific operations in LWE affected areas since 1 December 2015. They have as yet seized 26 unlicensed arms, 22 rounds of ammunitions and 65 explosives. West Medinipur The district police has, since 1 December 2015, seized 36 unlicensed arms, 3 explosives and 69 rounds of ammunitions. Nadia In Nadia district, the district police could seize, since 1 December 2016, 89 unlicensed arms, 82 rounds of ammunitions, 71 crude bombs and 250 grams of explosives. In the district, 88 cases have so far been registered in related provisions of law. Murshidabad Maximum seizure was reported by Murshidabad district where, since 1 December 2015, 96 unlicensed firearms, 138 rounds of ammunitions, 958 crude bombs and 321.5 KG of explosives were sized. In total 143 persons have so far been arrested in related provisions of law. Malda In Malda district too considerable seizure of illegal arms and ammunitions were reported. 66 illegal arms, 50 rounds of ammunitions and 55 bombs were reportedly seized since 1 December 2015 in the district. 14 persons were arrested. The district authority has also seized FICN worth Rs. 58.88 lakh for which 5 persons were arrested. There was massive operation against cultivation of poppy in the area and poppy cultivation worth 11500 bigha were destroyed in a massive operation. Birbhum In Birbhum district, the district police reported seizure of 86 unlicensed arms, 69 rounds of ammunitions and 2099 crude bombs. In all the districts massive confidence building measures have been taken to address the issues in the vulnerable hamlets identified. Along with the Central Forces, the District Magistrate and the Sub- divisional Magistrates, along with their police counterparts have been visiting the vulnerable areas on a daily basis. The efforts taken by the districts are seen as proactive steps to gain confidence of the voters for a free, fair and participative election. Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 209 Bengali English Hindi minute-to-minute basis and uploaded the ATRs in Newspaper Newspaper Newspaper the SAMADHAN portal The Ananda The Times of – the Media was made to update the fate of media bazar Patrika India complaints on an hour-to-hour basis. The Bartaman The Telegraph The State had developed during the last General Lok The Sanmarg The Indian Sabha Elections, 2014 intensive Media Monitoring The Ei Samay Express System to track and redress incidents reported in The Aajkaal The Statesman electronic media on Poll Day. It was an important facet of the entire structure of complaint management Electronic media was put under similar surveillance. mechanism that dealt with complaints received from Here, a dedicated Media Watch Centre was set up at various sources on Poll Day: political parties, toll free the office of the Divisional Commissioner, Presidency telephone number 1950 and e-mails. On collaborating Division with six television sets having a close watch with media on a minute-to-minute basis, we could on all news items beamed in six major news channels. track, redress and resolve, by timely intervention of The vigil was increased on Poll day and P-1 day with field functionaries at districts, each of the complaints added manpower. There had been facility of recording surfaced in electronic media and could also update its news items through a DVR which, in fact, ran round status on screen on real time basis. The system which the clock. This helped in archiving news items shown was test fired during the last Lok Sabha Elections was in electronic media without selection. But it helped at further fine-tuned during the subsequent bye-elections. times when the Commission desired a detailed report It was a ripe opportunity for further value-additions at of a news item telecast in some news channel that had the present General Elections, 2016. come to assume a larger proportion. In the context of our state, media complaints are always an integral part of over-all complaint management system. It was for this logic that the MEDIA Watch and SAMADHAN Cells were set close to each other. During media watch, all news items were documented in a register with date and time stamping. Of them, news items having ingredients of MCC violations were picked and put into SAMADHAN for report from District Election Officers.T he ATRs from the DEOs were documented with relevant remarks in the Media Register. Intensive Poll Day Monitoring – round the Clock Monitoring of Poll Events from Control Rooms set up at Districts and CEO Office How the System Worked – six television sets dedicated to Six major news • Control Rooms were set up at the State with facilities channels with dedicated personnel set up with of fax, landline telephone and six television sets having facilities of landline telephone, fax and internet at exclusive coverage of six major local news channels both State and District Control Rooms separately by dedicated personnel, each person covering only one news channel. All the observations – all the media complaints reported through EMMC featured in one news channel were fed in a pre-defined by the Commission were attended immediately, monitoring format first and then, fed into SAMADHAN uploaded in the SAMADHAN Software, duly enquired software. ATRs were updated by DEOs on a minute-to- by RO/AROs, ATRs uploaded in the SAMADHAN minute basis. again and communicated to the Commission: the entire circuit being completed within a span of two • Election Commission set up at its headquarters a national media watch center, called EMMC, wherein all years. poll related complaints as they would feature in local, – in districts, ADM-in-charge of Media Monitoring regional and national networks were pressed into a coordinated redressal of media complaints on a monitoring format and sent to the Poll going districts

General Elections to 210 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016 through the office of the Chief Electoral Officer. Action EMMC complaints continued flocking in the mail-box Taken Reports of EMMC complaints were sent to the till 9:00 PM for which reports were sought from districts Commission on an hourly basis. and sent to the Commission for appraisal on the same day. • In order to streamline the system further such that the avalanche of media complaints pouring in incessantly • The consolidated EMMC report came quite useful since on Poll days could be coped and considered effectively it provided an overview of Action Taken Reports vis-à- on a real time basis, an SOP on reporting on media vis the media complaints. The Chief Electoral Officer, complaints was developed and shared with districts West Bengal during his Poll day Press conference for compliance. referred to the EMMC report as and when necessary.

• On Poll days, like other days, the SAMADHAN continued A similar pattern of supervision was followed up in to be the singular interface for managing poll related districts. District Control Rooms were operational round complaints. At the state level, the officials in charge of the clock before 24 hours from start of poll with facilities media surveillance fed into the system proactively all of landline telephone, dedicated fax and internet. media complaints. The major complaints were flagged District Control Rooms were headed by one senior officer and brought into immediate attention of the Chief Electoral Officer. Action taken reports, with video- of ADM rank who was the nodal point of contact along footage, were sent to the District Election Officers for with one senior Deputy Collector and support staff. immediate inquiry and report. Decisive actions were – six television sets were set up, following the State taken accordingly. pattern, with dedicated personnel watching major • Simultaneously, media complaints reported through news channels covering poll process extensively EMMC were also fed into the SAMADHAN and its ATRs, 24X7. One news channel was assigned for each as reported by DEOs, were collated district wise. It so television set watched by one dedicated personnel happened that the ATRs uploaded by district officials thus covering all information floated on different were not adequate after scrutiny. In all such cases, networks in television channels. detailed status on action taken were sought from district and reported to the Commission. – a strong vigil was in place to ensure that no incidents, worthy of mention, go unaware. ADM in charge of • The EMMC swung into action from P-2 day and it the district Control Room coordinated with ARO/ continued till P+1 day. On Poll day, its importance was paramount since the updates, which were sent to the Executive Magistrate/BDOs for redress and report to Commission on Poll days, were placed for consideration the District Election Officer and the Chief Electoral of the Commission. All the hourly reports starting from Officer.T he DEO also provided timely feedback to 9:00 AM in the morning till 5:00 PM in the evening were press for updation of media so to ensure that the consolidated and the compiled report was sent, on people get the latest inputs and their confidence in each Poll Day, to the Commission sharp at 5:00 PM. election management remains rock solid.

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 211 – since all the complaints were invariably fed into the Poll Day Module of SAMADHAN application, the Action Taken Reports (ATR) were automatically generated and informed to all stakeholders including the applicant. The media monitoring set up in districts was an integral part of public grievance redressal mechanism in the districts. Special Poll Day Module of SAMADHAN application In our state, we had developed the module of Integrated Complaint Management System with a special focus on media watch which we called, with a bit of stylization, Intensive Poll Day Monitoring. The Control Rooms at both State and districts were set up with facilities of fax, landline telephone and six television sets with exclusive coverage of six major local news channels separately by dedicated personnel, each person covering only one news channel. All the observations featured in one news channel were fed in a pre-defined monitoring formatand uploaded in the SAMADHAN application for readers. The Action Taken Reports (ATRs) were sent to the Commission for appraisal and were also shared with the media on the Poll day when the Chief Electoral Officer briefed the representatives from the print and electronic media.

Report No. 01 Report on Election Management Related News Monitoring Cycle: 0700 hrs TO 0800 hrs Date: 30th April, 2016

Sl. Channel Name/Time of Gist of News action taken report NO. Broadcast of News WEST BENGAL The Fifth phase of polling AAJ TAK (07:00:10), DD NEWS for West Bengal Assembly (07:00:20), NEWS X (07:01:09), elections begin at 7 this ABP NEWS (07:01:24), NEWS 1. morning for 53 seats spread 24 (07:04:43), NEWS NATION over South 24 Parganas, (07:01:50), INDIA TV (07:12:25), Hooghly and South Kolkata INDIA TODAY (07:15:10), IBN 7 districts in the State. (07:00:31) A supporter of an independent candidate, Ambikesh Mahapatra from East Behala 24 GHANTA 2. Kolkata has been beaten up at (07:28:50-07:30:60) Booth No. 143 reportedly by TMC workers.

A CPI (M) polling agent has been reportedly threatened by TMC workers at Booth No. 91 24 GHANTA 3. at Ratna Prathamik Vidyalaya in (07:39:39-07:41:56) Shonarpur North Kolkata, West Bengal.

General Elections to 212 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016 Media management is an integral part of the process of overall election management. It brings forth the efforts and initiatives of the Commission in ensuring free and fair elections. It creates public opinion and is also a tool to fathom the depth of public perception on issues discussed and deliberated on board. The Election Commission has a long standing practice of selecting news items published in newspapers to highlight every tiny incident of importance related to the conducting of elections , so that the election managers at all levels may also observe the outcome of their collective efforts that are being put to practical use.T his is a live feedback mechanism which narrates the story of elections as it unfolds day after day.

From the day the Schedule of General Elections to the West Bengal Legislative Assembly were announced, the print media captured all the different details of the entire election process which were significant, be it date and time of polling, revision of poll timing, ban on exit poll, voters’ information slips or voters’ alternate identity documents.

The Statesman 05-03-2016

ndia The Times of I 05-03-2016

The Election Commission of India was obviously at the vortex of public attention upon which was vested the responsibility of conducting one of the most difficult elections in recent times. One might gauge, as we would from many such news items, the public interest generated with the historic incident of Enclave voters going to the polls on the sixth and final poll day:

The Times of india Ei Samay 01-04-2016 05-03-2016 Ei Samay 05-03-2016 Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 213 However, there are quite a few shades of grey in elections as well. Once the elections were formally imes announced a large number of complaints started pouring in. The arena was wide open for candidates and industan T The H political parties to register their complaints and voice their grievances. Media played its role in bringing to 14-04-2016 the fore all possible instances of violation of Model Code of Conduct.

Ananda Bazar Patrika 16-03-2016

The Commission had all its institutionalized mechanisms well in place to address the issues in a proactive manner. The measures taken over expenditure monitoring came alive with information snippets as we will see below. There was comprehensive coverage on Observers, the eyes and ears of the Commission, on their arrival in districts:

Bartaman 20-03-2016

The Telegraph 20-03-2016 Ei Samay 29-03-2016 The Media also highlighted IT applications which triggered benefits both for the voters and the election managers. Other than the statewide initiatives, District Election Officers came up with a bouquet ofIT innovations which proved quite effective in swift redressal of grievances and easing of workload on implementation. Use of new age devices as well as applications (‘apps’) and ever-increasing coverage of next-generation communication devices helped streamline and centralise the management process on three levels; seeking and Bartaman 30-03-2016 granting of permissions to political parties for venues for meetings; vehicle registration; complaint filing and grievance redressal, all of which were favourably reported in the media.

General Elections to 214 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016 Soon after the announcement of elections, the political campaign had soared and reached a high pitch. One recurrent feature of news coverage had been deployment of security forces. Central Armed Forces led by District Election Officers, Commissioners and Superintendents of Police had been instrumental in curbing vulnerability and instilling confidence in the voters.

ndia The Times of I 18-04-2016

The Telegraph 04-04-2016 Ei Samay 12-04-2016

This election will be remembered for many SVEEP initiatives in districts as well as Kolkata proper, illustrated amply in media with great care and detail. It is believed that Voters’ education initiatives, in all its verisimilitude, had ost illennium P a tremendously positive The M 15-03-2016 impact on voters’ behavior, informing-facilitating- motivating voters and most importantly, building and boosting their confidence.

These initiatives played their role in translating voters’ response into a robust turnout witnessed in all phases of the election process. Clearly, at the end, it was the Election Commission which emerged winner:

ndia Pratidin The Times of I 29-03-2016 18-04-2016

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 215 The Millennium Post 29-03-2016

Times of India imes The The Hindusthan T 14-04-2016 06-05-2016

Bartaman 17-04-2016

Ei Samay 31-03-2016

General Elections to 216 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016 In a democracy such as ours, elections mirror the people’s resolve to contribute to the great cause of nation building. Every election creates its own landmarks for them to be broken in order to form a new benchmark for a new election. What remains are the untold stories, the real heroes of our society:

imes industhan T The H 06-05-2016

imes industhan T The H 05-05-2016

Bartaman 06-05-2016

imes Bartaman Hindusthan T 05-04-2016 The The Telegraph 05-05-2016 20-05-2016

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 217 imes industhan T The H 20-05-2016

Elections, in democracy as ours, mirror people’s resolve to contribute to the great cause of nation building. Every election creates its own landmarks to be broken to form a new edifice for a new election. What remain the untold stories of the many millions who make elections a success.

The Hindusthan T 20-05-2016 imes

General Elections to 218 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016

chapter

district XII innovations

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 221 General Elections to West Bengal Legislative Assembly will be remembered for many innovations that made the conduct of elections easier and more accountable for election managers while making the entire election process more participative, transparent and accessible to the voters. In the following few lines are described some of very effective interventions presented by District Election Officers in nearly all spheres of election management.

District Innovations : Electoral Roll Management

dakshin dinajpur

Elections Management revolves around two main 5. removal of all Dead electors’ entries; activities 6. Good quality correct images confirming – maintenance of up-to-date Electoral Rolls (ERs) and to protocol and standards prescribed by Commission; – conduct of Elections 7. single unique EPIC for every elector in the Management of Electoral Roll is an onerous task district. in itself encompassing aspects requiring expertise 2) Standardization of Section, PS boundaries and and continuous motivation. The entire process of Location electioneering was a perfect display of precision and discipline leading up to the General Elections to West 1. standardization of sections; Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016. In the matter of 2. optimizing part boundaries; Electoral Roll Management, the district of Dakshin 3. relocation of PS with in Parts or in adjacent Dinajpur had taken up a number of activities that had parts; contributed significantly to purification of electoral rolls 4. Drawing sections and part boundaries on GIS and at the same time, led to capacity building of the platforms; BLOs. 5. improved PS Map with part map/ ‘how to reach NERP (National Electoral Rolls Purification) to PS’/PS building image to scale/PS room In order to improve health of electoral rolls by drawing with BMF details removing errors and inaccuracies and standardize and Improving health of Electoral Rolls: optimize the section, part boundaries and PS locations, the Commission launched National Electoral Rolls In order to improve the health of Electoral Roll, BLO Purification (NERP) drive from 1st March to 31st August played a vitally important role by conducting House to 2016. House Survey from the period of pre revision activities. Form6 were delivered widely to eligible applicants The twin objectives of NERP were: desiring to get their names enrolled in the electoral rolls. 1) improving Health of Electoral Rolls Special campaign at Schools /Colleges was conducted by the E.R.Os for greater awareness. Posters/ Banners/ 1. inclusion of all eligible voters in mission mode, Flexes were hoisted at designated locations and Football 2. maximize efforts to free electoral rolls from match namely “Cholo Kheli Naam Tuli” was held at all errors, Block/ Sub-Divisions as well as at the district headquarter 3. single entry anywhere for every eligible elector; for general awareness of the citizens. As a result, 65217 4. absent and shifted electors’ entry in electoral Form 6 were received during Continuous Updation of rolls; Electoral Roll, Pre Revision activities and SRER 2017.

General Elections to 222 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016 Inclusion during No. & Name of the Form 6 received Accepted during Inclusion during Continuous Assembly Constituency during SRER 2017 SRER 2017 NERP 2016 Updation 1 2 3 4 5 6 37 KUSHMUNDI (SC) 7490 6271 1607 316 38 KUMARGANJ 7258 5391 1437 5 39 BALURGHAT 7245 4784 474 34 40 TAPAN (ST) 8125 6062 1295 267 41 GANGARAMPUR (SC) 7030 5246 1749 488 42 HARIRAMPUR 7663 6381 1239 373 Total 44811 34135 7801 1483

Finally 43419 nos. of Inclusion were made during Continuous Updation of Electoral Roll, Pre Revision activities and SRER 2017. Making Electoral Rolls Error Free In order to make Electoral Rolls free from errors, BLOs conducted a thorough House to House survey for necessary correction. It was noticed that some actual House numbers of Electors had changed to Notional Household Numbers. To remove this error part wise, PDF mentioning AC No, Part no, and Sl. Numbers of concerned electors, the BLOs, after proper verification, made necessary corrections which are going to be reflected in the Final Electoral Roll database 2017. Suo-motu, blurred Images of electors had been changed. Approximately 2541 nos. of fresh images were incorporated. Besides 14126 nos. of Form 8 were received during SRER, 2017. Deletion of Dead, Shifted, Absentee, EPIC Duplicate electors such as same person having multiple EPIC and different persons having same EPIC were made by the concerned EROs in the following way:

No. & Name of the Electors deleted during Electors deleted during Electors deleted during Assembly Constituency Continuous Updation NERP 2016 SRER 2017 1 2 3 4 5 37 KUSHMUNDI (SC) 815 1112 795 38 KUMARGANJ 385 816 1004 39 BALURGHAT 617 1222 917 40 TAPAN (ST) 822 1912 572 41 GANGARAMPUR (SC) 281 2639 406 42 HARIRAMPUR 976 962 415 Total 3896 8663 4109

Single entry for each eligible elector In order to make Electoral Rolls free from multiple electors, the following steps were taken – a) Same Person having multiple EPIC: BLOs conducted a thorough House to House Survey and reported in the checklist clearly which entry is to be deleted. Accordingly deletion was made. On the Other hand EROs/AEROs of all Assembly Constituencies sat together at the district level for close verification also. b) Different persons having same EPIC: BLOs conducted a thorough House to House Survey and reported in the checklist clearly in whose name new EPIC number should be generated. At the same time newly entered Elector’s EPIC no. has also been changed accordingly.

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 223 Absent and shifted Elector’s entry in were scaled down & then sorted out to digitize it. Electoral Rolls The maps of the L&LR Department contained a lot of unwanted information as far as we were concerned. As per information of BLOs and subsequently from BLA, The curtailment of this huge unwanted information due Procedure was maintained to delete absent and and finding out the correct information for the shifted electors entry in the electoral roll. For a cross whole district is like finding a needle in a haystack. check in details all Blocks sat together at the district So it took few long months to collect, scale down, level to take a concrete decision in connection with deletion of absent and shifted electors. Total 1912 nos. sort and then digitize the District MAP up to the absent and shifted electors were deleted adopting due level of Mouzas ( Census Village) procedure such as issuing notice, hearing etc. in all • While digitizing the whole District map, we broke it Assembly Constituencies of this district. down administratively starting from: Removal of Dead Electors’ Entries District Same procedure was taken in this regard. Here the Sub-Divisions (2 no.) steps are taken into account with following the Death R Registers from Gram Panchayat and Municipality level issuing notice to the family members of the deceased Blocks (08 no.) maintaining due procedure for removal of all dead R electors entries from the electoral Roll. Total 1381 nos. Gram Panchayats (64 no.) of Dead Electors were deleted from the Electoral Rolls. R Good quality images for EPICs Mouza ( 2317 no.) Image quality in the Photo Electoral Roll os this more or less good. According to the standard of ECI confirmed R in this regard. Suo moto Blur images of Electors were Sections ( 4366 no.) removed by the concerned EROS. By this way 4837 nos. The digitized map so prepared is a vector based image of Blur Images were changed. which is easily customizable and re-sizeable. Single Unique EPIC for every elector The digitized map provides detailed information Utmost efforts were being exercised to make such an regarding Gram Panchayat Areas, Mouzas with J.L.No., electoral roll where single Unique EPIC for every elector roadways, rivers and other water bodies. can be kept. The procedure, noted above, were taken A glimpse of the digitized district map is depicted below into account keeping this overriding priority in mind. (a small part of the district): Achievements Analysed Then the whole district map is sub-divided into NERP : MAPPING Work & MAP Digitization six Assembly Constituencies two such assembly constituency maps are displayed below:- The ECI introduced a new concept – mapping of the Booths with the help of Google Map. Google Map View Even before the process of mapping began in our The digitized maps of all A.C.s which were prepared district, we started the Digitization of the District MAP with the help of Adobe Illustrator and Corel software up to the mouza level which is a behemoth task. were exported to Arc GIS software. All shape files were incorporated with GPS co-ordinates. Digitization of Mouza Map After the Digitization of the Mouza Map, we synchronized At first we went to the Google map via Google Earth it with the Google Map. The synchronization process is where only the district boundary is curved out. very delicate and tricky.

• For the purpose of Digitization we collected the Key Map View and PS Room Cad Drawing Mouza maps from the L&LR Department, Dakshin Dinajpur. The Mouza maps of the L&LR Department After the preparation of the Google Map view, we

General Elections to 224 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016 endeavored to prepare the Key Map view. For this Tri-fold Brochure & BLO-HANDBOOK purpose we adopted the approach of- the Block to BLOs are the Key role Player in our E Roll Management the Booth by providing detail information regarding System. So we emphasized mainly on their training - distance, landmarks, sector- boundaries, directions, etc. A BLO’s handbook is prepared to help the BLOs, • The booth areas are digitally depicted with the help Supervisors, AEROs and EROs during the SRER-2017. of CAD. A concise version of the above was a BLO Tri- fold • Giving details information regarding distance from Brochure with the most important and key information Block Office and Sector offices. Other important required for their Day- day Election work And Field landmarks and road directions are also presented. verification. • Details of Entry and Exit, no. of windows, position of the Voting Compartment, seating arrangement of Polling Personnel and Polling Agents are also depicted. • Basic Minimum Facilities (BMF) are also depicted. [Eg of Key Map of Single Booth out of 1271 Booths ]

BLO’s Handbook • The handbook provides information regarding Election Related terminologies, abbreviations, relevant parts of the Rules and Acts. • The details and the use of Forms related with SRER and Non- SRER period are given in the handbook. • The detail activities of the BLO/DO are given along with relevant dates- time – reporting period and Reporting Formats

[Eg. of one PS ROOM CAD Drawing out of 1271 Booths • The DOs and DON’Ts for the officials are also given. • Newly included NERP Portal related works and ERMS System .

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 225 For the smooth work at field we have supplied two types of booklets- one for the Designated Officers and BLOs EP Ratio

Binded register for DO .65 .64 .67 .64 .66 .66 Overall dist. average = .66 .50

37 38 39 40 41 42 ac ac ac ac ac ac

Impact Analysis Binded booklet of forms- 9, 10, 11, 11A EROLL: Health analysis at a glance

42-harirampur Elector = 196130 37-kushmandi Population = 295772 Elector = 190532 37-AC EP = 0.66 Population = 291452 42-AC Gender Ratio = 929 EP = 0.65 Gender Ratio = 898 41-gangarampur 38-kumarganj Elector = 197133 Elector = 178268 Population = 300901 Population = 276750 2016-ER EP = 0.666 EP = 0.64 Dakshin Dinajpur 41-AC Gender Ratio = 919 Gender Ratio = 906 elector = 11.12570 population = 17.99,862 ep = .66 gender ratio = 924 38-AC 40-tapan Elector = 190061 Population = 298580 40-AC EP = 0.64 Electoral Roll Management: NERP 2016 40-balurghat Gender Ratio = 934 Elector = 160446 Works in a Nutshell Population = 240094 39-AC EP = 0.67 Gender Ratio = 963

Removal Collection Change in EP Ratio ASD & of MAP from an Replacement authentic Source: The change in the EP Ratio of the so-called backward of Blurred LR Deptt. Image district, Dakshin Dinajpur is vividly evident from the given graph. In the Final Roll of 2013, the EP Ratio was

Removal Improving .57 which improved to .59 in the Final Roll of 2014 then it of all 16 types Health of ER & Digitization leaped to .62 in 2015 which is further enhanced to .66 in of error Photo Standardization of MAP & Break Matching & of Section PS into ACs the Final Roll of 2016. Duplicate boundaries & removal Locations The credit of the gradual improvement goes to the systematic approach which includes the preparation Google MAP BLO-trifold view Key MAP of the BLO Register and the House to House survey Brochure BLO View CAD Drawing Handbook conducted by the BLOs which resulted in the preparation comprehensively as ready of a Database of all family members above 15 years with reckoner their respective Date of Birth. The regular up gradation of this Database led to the Database of Targeted Eligible Electors. EP Ratio In the Pre- SRER, SRER & Continuous Updation phases, The overall District EP Ratio of the Dakshin Dinajpur a special drive was initiated to include all the Eligible is .66 which is the result of consistent effort of BLOs, Electors. Similarly, special camps were organised in the Supervisors,AEROs and EROs. The EP Ratio ranges almost all schools and colleges which also led to the between .64 to .67. inclusion of the Eligible Voters.

General Elections to 226 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016 change in EP Ratio This improvement in the Gender Ratio is due to consistent efforts of the district. For this purpose, a huge ratio .66 al increase in ep .62 force of Female BLOs is engaged. Nearly 50% of 1271 y & gradu stead .59 BLOs are female which helped to reach to the shy and .57 reluctant female voters. The female BLOs are selected from every sector such as Anganwaadi workers, ASHA .50 workers, etc which further improved the Gender Ratio. Electors (18-19 Years) The total number of Electors in 2015 was 1080358 out

2013 2014 2015 2016 of which 37697 were new electors i.e. electors in the Final Roll Final Roll Final Roll rinal Roll age group of 18-19 years which was 3.4% of the total electors. In this field we also improved to 3.7% which Gender Ratio consists 40860 out of 1112570 electors in the Final Roll of 2016. The average Gender Ratio of Dakshin Dinajpur is 924 which range between 898 to 963 . The S.C. , S.T. and O.B.C. population of Dakshin Dinajpur is huge in spite of change in 18-19 yr. age electors that the overall Gender ratio is commendable. 3.7% GENDER Ratio 3.4%

898 906 963 934 919 929 Overall dist. average = 924 900

2013 2014 Final Roll Final Roll

37 38 39 40 41 42 Map Dizitization & Plotting in Google Map : ac ac ac ac ac ac The final outcome of the whole effort is contained within a tiny 2.5 MB KMZ file consisting of all Polling Change in Gender Ratio Station Areas, sections, location of all booths. Our main In the Final Roll of 2013, the Gender Ratio was 904 which objectives were : enhanced to 909 in the next year that further improved (i) uploading all Google Map view images as required to 919 in the Final Roll of 2015 and finally, in the Final by the ECI in the NERP portal; Roll of 2016, the Gender Ratio stands at 924. (ii) the file we prepared with the wholesome approach which is of immense help for the district change in gender Ratio administration for creating

ratio 924 (a) district election management plan, al increase in ep 919 y & gradu stead 909 (b) sector plan, 904 (c) rationalization of any booth in future,

900 (d) preparation of the route map and route plan for the polling parties, (e) for the easy and quick movement of the Observers and other Election Managers (f) Planning and Cross verification of of the 2013 2014 2015 2016 expenses incurred for The vehicle engaged in Final Roll Final Roll Final Roll rinal Roll sectors and movement of Pollin Parties

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 227 District Innovations : SVEEP purulia

Overcoming the Barriers Another grey area was identification of voter resistant pockets where women of one specific community did Voter turnout is always a major concern for district not cast their votes since independence. This was taken Purulia. It has been experienced that the Voter Turnout as a challenge from the end of the administration. Ratio (VTR) for Purulia District had always been on lower Apart from above activities, the female members of the side and it always stood 8% to 10% lower than the state Self Help Groups were entrusted to break the ice and average. the BDOs themselves played their roles by constant If the Voter Turnout Ratio of 15th General Election persuation of the religious heads of the localities and to the Lok Sabha- 2009 is considered, it was only the women voters through the Women Development 71.73% i.e. almost 1/3 rd of the total elector of Purulia Officers of these blocks. District kept themselves away from casting vote. That Ultimately ice was broken and report of Voter Turnout posed a great challenge to increase the voter turnout Ratio in connection to the Lok Sabha Election, 2014 and during subsequent General Elections. An enquiry was Assembly Election, 2016 clearly reveals the improvements conducted to fathom the reasons of low turnout in that have taken place in the level of the participation of the district. The enquiry report was scrutinized and the women in the festival of democracy. Earlier, there were reason behind lowest Voter Turnout Ratio had been some citizens of the Sahebdih, Bandhghutu, Baruajara, identified.T hree probable reasons behind such low Durgabera areas under Bareria Pry. School, who had voting had been identified. never cast their votes since independence. The local 1) Fear from LWE activities. people requested the administration for setting up of new polling station nearer to their locality so that they 2) voters used to remain outside the district for work could cast their vote. The polling station was set close on the day of poll and remains reluctant to return to to their home and a large number of inhabitants of the the district and cast vote. most interior part of this LWE district cast their votes for 3) some voter resistant pockets where women elector the first time since independence. of one community did not cast their votes since Voteswar, the famous Mascot of Purulia independence. “Voteswar”, the mascot of Purulia District, created The micro plan- one short term plan and another long during the General Election to WBLA-2016 was designed term plan had been prepared. On the part of short term bearing the image of the ‘son of the soil’ of Purulia district plan, the awareness generation among the local people – a common man wearing the mask of the world famous was targeted through postering, distributing leaflets, dance form of Purulia, the Chhau. It turned out to be one canvassing with the help of sound system, tableau etc. of the most popular and much discussed Mascot during It appeared that students could help in maximizing the the General Election to WBLA-2016. voter turnout of their parents. As a part of this, Sankalpa Patra was read in the mothers’ meeting in all the educational institutions. The local art and culture was also involved in the generation of awareness programme. Chhou Dance, Jhumur song were performed in those areas where voter did not come out to cast their vote and mainly in resistant pockets. While performing, the programmes have been made in local Kurmali language also. A number of new initiatives were taken. The first voter who cast her vote in the wee hours of the day in the polling station was felicitated with a colourful certificate by the Presiding Officer.

General Elections to 228 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016 SVEEP Gallery during the full bench meeting of the Commission

‘FACES’ of Election A unique initiative and social campaign under the banner ‘AMAR PURULIA AMAR VOTE’ has been taken well ahead the assembly election 2016 to encourage every sections of voter here in purulia specially weaker section. Prominent faces from different sections like from tribal women, tribal musician, dancer, photographer, poet, minority etc first identified and used as election ambassadors in different SVEEP activities to turn the election into a festival.

Some popular symbols of Elections in Purulia

Baloon Ladies & Gents Cap T-shirts

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 229 Polling Personnel Welfare Percentage on Election Year Every care was taken to ensure welfare of the polling Voters' turnout parties. Apart from other welfare measures during the General Election to WBLA-2011 80.98 General Election to WBLA-2016, we distributed packaged Parliamentary General drinking water to the Polling Parties with Election Logo 81.78 Election-2014 Sticker, pasted on the water bottle. This gave much confidence to the Polling Personnel regarding the General Election to WBLA-2016 83.14 intention of District Administration as Polling Parties had traditionally faced acute crisis of drinking water in All the important measures and activities under SVEEP this water scarce district in past. were suitably reported to media for wide campaign.

Left Wing Extremism: Once upon a time in Purulia Left Wing Extremists (LWE) were active in some portion of Purulia district during the last few decades. But in spite of that adequate security arrangements have been made to avert any major violence by LWE during last three elections. Confidence building measures among voters also played an important role for free and fair election. These arrangements have been reflected in the voters’ turnout figure ultimately. DEO, SP and other officer regularly interacted with voter and generated Voters’ Turnout confidence among voters along with different SVEEP Apart from the effort for improving the ‘Electoral Roll campaign. Health’, Voters Turnout has been increased during the last Two Assembly Elections (2011 & 2016) and Parliamentary Election-2014. A sense of pride getting the opportunity to exercise their right of universal suffrage is prevailing prevalently around that Jungle Clad, Tribal Villages, those even previously very much anti-institutional.

General Elections to 230 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016 sveep initiatives in Coochbehar Votananda Da – District Mascot Votananda, the mascot of Cooch Behar district, was created for the purpose of General Elections to the West Bengal Legislative Assembl, 2016. It comprises two words namely Vote and Ananda. “Ananda” stands for happiness and “Da” is an abbreviation of “Dada” in Bengali which means brother hood. Therefore Votananda Da represents a happy face with traditional attire -a yellow “Gamchha” wrapped in shoulder and waist and a musical instrument in his hand, traditionally called “Dotara” in Cooch Behar for singing songs of the famous folk genre in the district Bhawaiya. The crown on his head reminds the bygone glory of once royal Kingdom of Cooch behar and his facial expression suggests that he spreads message of fearless voting “Vote aaschhey-nirvoye vote din”.

SVEEP focussing on electoral registration A friendly football match under the caption of “Cholo Kheli, naam tuli (Let us play, let us enrol)” was organised at Kharija Kakribari of 3-Cooch Behar Uttar Assembly Constituency between the two teams namely Electors XI and DEO’s XI for spreading awareness among the prospective electors.

Displaying SVEEP messages at prominent places SVEEP messages having relevance to this Assembly Elections, 2016, in the form of medium size flexes Sample leaflets to generate awareness and Hoardings were displayed at prominent places Street Plays throughout the district covering all the government offices, major roads and junctions, railway stations Street plays relevant to electoral process and etc. About 800 medium sized banners and flexes and participation in the voting, were organized as a part of 100 big hoardings were used for displaying at the SVEEP programme at all blocks and municipalities of block headquarters and at all the polling premises of the district. Around 100 programmes were organised in the district and other village roads and railways gates coordination with I&CA department. spreading the message of election.

About 17000 no of posters, 8000 stickers were pasted on LPG cylinders and also at fair price shops as part of spreading awareness. Further name slips with election related information were distributed among all school student.

Distributing SVEEP leaflets and Sankalpapatras SVEEP awareness leaflets and Sankalpa patras were distributed from all the modified Ration Shops (M.R. Shops) throughout the District to all the customers SVEEP messages through Cable TV scrolls and prospective electors and voters in general. The and at Cinema Halls DCF&S, Cooch behar ensured the distribution of the ‘Sankalpapatra’s through his official machinery SVEEP messages were displayed in the form of compulsorily at all MR Shops of the district. Cable Scrolls through local cable network. Further

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 231 documentary films have been used to generate awareness on checking of rolls, enrolment, voting, SAMADHAN, ethical voting and were displayed through Cinema Halls and local cable network. Through Live phone in programme in local cable networks Live phone in programmes were organised in local cable networks .DM & DEO, SP,ROs and other senior officials participated in the programme.

procedures visited different parts of the district to make the people aware of different aspects of election process in India. Special emphasis were given to the erstwhile Chhit Mahal areas. One tableau named VOTEER GAARI with TV attached on it visited different parts of the District along with local folk artists and election related IEC material. Theme Song One theme song in Bengali was prepared to generate SVEEP and Media enthusiasm amongst different sections of the society of SVEEP messages were printed in all prominent local this district for participating in the electoral process. Bengali/ Hindi and English News Papers for wide publicity among the voters. Advertisement in local Using Advertising balloons: newspapers were used to ensure proper distribution of Advertising balloons were used to display the messages EPICs. of election on day of election for a greater participation on election at 5 prominent places in different sub- Weekly press meets were arranged to share election divisions. related information with the media for the interest of general public. Sending Bulk SMS SVEEP messages on voting and other election related information were sent to all mobile subscribers throughout the district. Through beat of drums and Miking SVEEP messages were propagated in the interior areas of the district through beat of drums. Through decorated Rickshaws fitted with loudspeakers Rickshaws decorated with SVEEP messages printed in banners / flexes and fitted with loudspeakers disseminating pre-recorded SVEEP messages visited the interior areas of the district in general. Through Mobile museum and tableau One mobile museum showing the details of election

General Elections to 232 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016 Development of SMS based system: others. Booth Level Awareness groups were engaged to motivate people to participate in the programme. Development of SMS based system for “Know your BLO” programme, through which an elector became able to track the details of BLO by means of SMS was made SVEEP for Ethical Voting operational throughout the year. Human Chain and Pledge on Ethical voting In addition to the above, bulk SMS through BSNL and On 20th April,2016 at 12 noon at every block, Sub- other service providers like Airtel, Vodafone were sent to Division and District HQ Human chain were arranged the people to share various Election related information where thousands of SHG members, ICDS workers, like date of election, toll free number of election cell, students, common people participated to promote date of distribution of PVS, Information on “Know your ethical voting. BLO” etc with them.

Organising RUN FOR DEMOCRACY Run for Democracy was organized from April 4th to Replica of Model Polling Booths: April 8th, 2016 covering all the 9 ACs of the district for promoting ethical voting. Starting from the first Replica of Model Polling Booths were prepared at assembly Constituency i.e 1- Mekhliganj(SC)AC ,this District, Sub-Division and Block Head quarters and in run, led by the respective RO moved through out all the some enclave settlement camps to make people aware assembly constituencies carrying the message of ethical of the facilities available at a model polling booth. voting and free and fair elections .and on the final lap ,the Returning Officer of AC-4-Cooch behar Dakshin handed over the torch to DM & District Election Officer who further lit a bigger flame with the torch at Rajbari Stadium, Cooch behar.

Signature Campaign: Signature campaign was arranged in the Office of DEO, RO, all ICDS Centres and different other places to ensure the participation of women, new voters and

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 233 Booth Level Awareness Group(BAG) SVEEP for erstwhile 51 Meeting with voters by BAG for educating voters, Bangladeshi Enclaves ensuring participation of differently able voters. Since the erstwhile enclave dwellers were participating Organising Maze game for school and in the electoral process for the first time, intensive SVEEP college students activities were planned to educate the voters about the electoral process. It is one kind of interactive game to educate voters about ethical and informed voting. Game is a maze • Mobile Museum generated awareness on the with decision points centred around informed choice detailed procedure of voting amongst the newly and ethical voting. Right choices lead to successful enrolled voters. completion of maze, wrong choices lead to dead-ends. • Awareness about the use of Electronic Voting Machine were generated by giving demonstration on Electronic Voting Machine. • Street dramas were organised at erstwhile enclaves to encourage the voters to participate in the election process. • Extensive use of banners, posters, stickers, leaflets were done to encourage the voters. • BAG (Booth level Awareness Group) campaigned on a door to door basis to guide and educate the voters of erstwhile enclaves. SVEEP for Special Target Groups Organising special camps for target groups-women/ tribal/Vulnerable voters:-Special camps arranged on District Kishori Diwas on February 19th, 2016 and also on International Women’s Day on March 8th, 2016 partnering with Women and Child welfare Department and District Youth Officer. At tribal areas like Cooch Behar Tea Estate special camps were organised to make people aware of different aspects of election.L ocal language “Sadri” was used by the trainers for communicating with the villagers.

Voter Turnout in Enclaves Assembly Constituency Total Number of Total Enclave Newly enrolled No. & Name having Electors of the Polling Electors VTR (%) Population Electors of Enclaves Enclaves Station Voted 01 Mekliganj (SC) 1575 988 10613 9211 86.79 05 Sitalkhuchi (SC) 3085 1898 13097 10508 80.23 06 Sitai (SC) 2559 1396 6088 4531 74.43 07 Dinhata 8556 5486 14362 11648 81.10 08 Natabari 0 0 2332 2102 90.14 09 Tufanganj 11 8 955 800 83.77 Total 15786 9776 47447 38800 81.78

General Elections to 234 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016 sveep initiatives in NADIA

Percentage of voters’ turnout was quite well (84.69 %) during last Parliamentary Election, 2014. So our main focus this time was on Ethical and inducement free voting along with increasing turn-out in identified low turn-out pockets of the district. As per the direction of ECI, 10 % Polling Station (453 out of 4527 nos. of Polling Stations) where VTR was low, were identified. Emphasis had been given upon those polling stations for implementing SVEEP strategies. Alongside, it was emphasized to create awareness among all common people to cast their vote for increasing the overall percentage of voting and to strengthen the democracy.

Voter Facilitation Centre Pledge also had been taken by all students during the seminar. One such seminar attended by the Hon’ble Voter Facilitation Centre was operational at all 17 Block & 4 Awareness Observer himself. Sub-Divisional Offices. Disbursement of Duplicate EPIC was also there from Sub-Divisional Level Facilitation Centre by the same day of submission. District Election Logo & Mascot Spirit Nadia’, showing district map and other election messages as District Election Logo and ‘Vote Gopal’,a cartoon Character holding a banner inscribing ‘Vote without fear’ ,based upon the famous character ‘Gopal Bhar’, Court Jesture of Lord Use Holy Festival for SVEEP activities: Holy, the colourful Krishnachandra festival was celebrated as the awareness campaign by Roy, the King of Nadia in 18 th Century organizing rally and displaying flexes with appeal to cast as Mascot were selected. Both were vote at different parts of the districts with the tune of District used in all election related materials. ‘Vote Gopal’ received theme song “Vote dio tare… mon chay jare..”. very warm response from the public and the media. Nirbachanee Express (Election Express): For creating awareness throughout the district,four tableau decorated Mass Mobilising Initiatives with election awareness materials called ‘Nirbachanee Both traditional and many innovative mass mobilizing Express – 2016’ reached out to rural and urban areas of all SVEEP initiatives had been taken with focusing on PS with 17 assembly constituencies of this district, mostly to those low VTR. selected 453 low VTR polling stations, with live track played by baul artists and distribution of DEOs appeal through Displaying of election materials: Various Election printed leaflets . materials containing logo, mascot and slogans for ethical and inducement free voting such as hoarding, banner, car sticker, standee, memento etc. were displayed at all prominent places of the district so the people may motivated to cast their vote. Seminars/Workshops at Colleges: Seminar arranged at every colleges in the district to encourage the youths to enroll their names and participate in the electoral process. Sankalpa Patra: Sankalpa Patra, a special appeal to Prizes were also given to those students who successfully parents to cast their vote by their own children- had been answered the election related questions asked to them. distributed in partnership with the School Education Dept.

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 235 to the students so that they can percolate the appeal of Android Mobile phone based Apps developed for the voters the DEO to their parents to cast their vote positively and of Nadia thus participation of all people in the voting process were ensured. Special Initiatives for PWDs/Other Voters’ Welfare measure Theme Song & Music Video: A theme song was developed – ramp had been constructed at all polling stations for to make our vote appeal more innovative and attractive to the sake of welfare of disabled electors. people specially youths. The key word of the song was ‘Vote dibe kare, mon chay jare’ which means cast your vote to – all initiative as per the norms of ECI were being taken to such person whom you like most. Later Music Video of the ensure casting of votes by the all disable,aged electors. theme song was also released and circulated through Social All such electors were identified primarily. Further a Media like You Tube, Facebook etc. and through local cable Public-Private Partnership had been set jointly with one network also.It got phenomenal response from every corner of the Non-Government Partner Agency of the district, of the district and became instant hit. Lot of live shows was an NGO naming ‘Sanjeevani Palliative Care Society’ in also performed by the Band Group in prominent places of this regard. the district. – Braille camp organized by the CSO for blind voters. Model Polling Station – 85 nos. of Model Polling Stations were set up all over 17 Assembly Constituencies @ 5 Model Polling Station / AC. – most were run by female polling personnel. – arrangement of all facilities like ramp, shade, electricity, separate entry and exit, dust bins, safe drinking water and mostly , clean and sanitized toilet for both male and female were there. – adequate signage and a Feedback banner for signature campaign were also inside. Online facility for voters: Different internet based facilities – Got appreciation from the voters all across. had been arranged for today’s tech-savvy generation so that they can know about any election related data by just using their fingertips such as District Election Portal, Facebook page of SVEEP and even through apps developed by District Administration such as E-Traverse and E-Monitoring. Beside that an online Grievance Redressal System at DEOs portal was also available for the voters. Impact Analysis: With those efforts,V oter Turn Out Site: www.nadiaelection2016.in was increased in the district in comparison with the last Parliamentary Election, 2014.There was not a single AC out of 17 in the district where vote poll percentage were below 80 %.We are looking forward to cover all electors participation in upcoming elections.

Graphic representation of VTR 85.80% 85.62% 85.60% 85.40% 85.20% 85.00%

84.80% 84.69% 84.60% 84.40% 84.20% Parliamentary Election assembly Election 2014 2016

General Elections to 236 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016 sveep initiatives in alipurduar

Alipurduar is a new district carved out of Jalpaiguri District. It shares an international border with Bhutan and state border with Assam. The district has 65 nos. of Tea Garden in it. The total population of Alipurduar District is 15,01,983 as per 2011 census with 7,70,905 no. as male and 7,31,078 no. as female. Population projected 2016 is 16,98,198. Sex ratio is 948/1000. The total no. of projected voters in this district is 11,08,759 as per 01-01-2016 with 5,68, 113 male voters, 5,40,634 female and 12 third gender voters. Since Alipurduar District is covered by forest on all sides, different kinds of animals are found here. Alipurduar is also famous for one horned Rhino and because of this, Rhino was selected as the Mascot for 2016 Assembly Election for this District, and the mascot was named GENDU.

Developing Campaign Material Special campaign in polling areas with Low voters turnout in the last election Four kinds of flexes had been prepared in the District. These flexes were displayed at all prominent places in After going through the last election results, Booths with the district. The aim was to create awareness amongst low voter’s turnout was identified and special SVEEP voters to cast their vote freely and fearlessly. advertisement was undertaken in all those areas. ERO/ AERO with the concerned BLO campaigned in those PS areas and called upon the electors by visiting house to house with request to vote without fear. Street Plays in haat, bus stand etc. Street plays with the theme “My Vote- My Right” were staged at major street corners and haats. Local residents and pedestrians watched them in good numbers. Campaigning through Leaflets. Leaflets were prepared to create awareness amongst voters and were circulated in Banks, Railway Station, Involvement of Public/Private Bus Stands Bus Stand, Hat etc. The leaflets were handed over to the passengers by the Bus Conductors, while buying and Railway Stations tickets in Railway Stations and while corresponding with A meeting with all concerned departments, like NBSTC, deposits and withdrawal in the Banks. Bus Owners’ Association and Railway was convened. Prominent places in the district like Railway Stations, Bus Tableaux Stands had run scroll at their Display Boards. A Tableau was prepared with recorded theme song to vote freely, fearlessly etc. The song was played through Involvement of Media/Cable Operators a microphone. This tableau visited Haat, Booth areas Meeting was held with cable operators wherein they where polling was less to create awareness amongst were requested to display election campaign for 20 voters. Accordingly, separate tableaus were prepared minutes slot every day between 6 pm to 7 p.m. On top of for six (6) Blocks of the District and were managed by that they were also requested to show scroll of election the concerned B.D.O. offices.T hese Tableau visited Haats matters along with their other advertisements. and Public Places every alternate day till P- 2 day. Awareness Amongst Parents EVM Awareness In Primary Schools, parents of children were called Awareness on EVM was made with display of EVMs in upon for pledging to vote without fear. Sit and drawing the mobile vehicles and tableau. Further, awareness competition related to election on mostly how to cast camps were put up during the holding of various govt. their votes was held. programmes.

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 237 NSS volunteers for awareness A rally was organised with NSS volunteers to create awareness amongst voters on 26-03-2016 and 09-04- 2016.

Mobile Booth A Truck designed like a polling booth visited different places of Alipurduar District demonstrating the procedure of voting to voters and to create awareness amongst voters.

First time voters An awareness programme was held to create awareness amongst young voters through D.I. of Schools. The awareness was created by the BDOs and other extension officers visiting the Colleges and High Schools and the young electors were given hands down training on how to vote on EVM. The date for this campaign was 28-03-2016 at Alipurduar Girls College, 29-03-2016 at Alipurduar College, 30-03-2016 at Vivekananda College PREFERENTIAL TOKENS and 31-03-2016 at Falakata College, Shahid Kshudiram Preferential tokens were issued to all the differently College. abled electors to facilitate them to cast their votes Special emphasis regarding VVPAT on poll day without any difficulty.T he list of all such electors was prepared with the help of BLOs and printed Special emphasis was given on VVPAT training under tokens (a specimen copy of which is displayed above) 12-Alipurduar AC. Separate tableau along with control were distributed amongst such electors by the BLOs unit, ballot unit and VVPAT moved to each and every on visiting their houses. All the polling parties of such corner of the Alipurduar constituency and two separate booths having these electors were specially trained to permanent demonstration centre were created- one give priority to at Alipurduar Chowpathi and another at DM’s office, electors turning Alipurduar to inform the voters how to observe his/her up at the booth vote cast in EVM. with such tokens. CPF personnel were also briefed to treat the electors with such tokens with priority and to allow these token holders ahead of voters standing in queue. This initiative was the first of its kind and helped the electors who are differently abled and are normally not inclined to visit the booths on poll day because of the harassment they face while standing in long queues.

General Elections to 238 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016 sveep initiatives in murshidabad

Women in Murshidabad have sprung a pleasant surprise Another comfort factor for which women voters come in the last Assembly Election breaking the past trend out largely is the substantial improvement of the law and of men outnumbering them at polling booths. District order situation all over the district. Election Commission electoral statistics is : Male elector-2441645 and Female of India look the rightful approach by sending more elector-2293311. But the trend has been reversed when than 200 companies of Para military force well ahead people cast their preference. Total 1950386 female of the date of poll. Their presence helped the District electors cast their ballot where as 1939206 male electors administration implementing the visual presence of the voted, i.e., 11180 more female electors voted at the Election Commission at every nook and corner of the polling booths on April 21. This trend was most evident district. In addition to that, the District Election Officer in the Kandi Sub-Division and border areas close to took an innovative initiative of Vulnerable Area Visit Jalangi and Domkal. Out of the total 22 Constituencies, (VAV). Through VAV, all the rank and file of the district 21 Constituencies observed the similar phenomenon officials, covered more than 2500 Kms by foot.T he DM of female voters participated more than male voters, & DEO marched the most vulnerable areas. The exercise barring Berhampore AC. Even at 72 – Baharampur A.C. was carried innumerable times, even at night. During percentage of male voters is slightly more (0.27% only). the visits, common voters were interacted, heard and measures were taken against allegations. The whole event gave an edge to the administration and common voters, specially female voters felt a sense of peace and the urge to vote. Murshidabad, being a traditionally socially and educationally backward district having vast minority population, has always been a backbencher in gender voting participation. The result of this year’s election proves that continuous campaign with meticulous planning can lead to radical change in the mindset of the voters.

The reason behind this phenomenon can be attributed to intensive door to door campaign by the District Election machinery under the leadership of the District Election Officer targeting the female electors to participate more in the voting process. There were 55 women booths where polling station personnel were women only. Those polling stations were made model polling stations and the infrastructure was made up to the mark. Right from the beginning of the District Election Plan, emphasis was given on participation of women voters. Analyzing the previous booth wise result of 2014 Lok-Sabha Election and 2011 Assembly Election, booths were identified and the District SVEEP bus carried an intensive campaign in those areas. BLOs were engaged to propagate the campaign by distributing the leaflets / other IEC material at every household. Booth level Awareness Groups (BAG) were formulated and made to play a pivotal role.

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 239 AC Wise Voter Turnout of WBLA-2016 of Murshidabad District

AC No. & Name Electors Voter Turnout % of Voter Turnout

No. Name Male Female Total Male Female Total Male (%) Female (%) Total

55 FARAKKA 97939 94017 191956 82441 80070 162511 84.18 85.17 84.66

56 SAMSERGANJ 96560 97543 194103 78355 80274 158629 81.15 82.30 81.72

57 SUTI 112165 109515 221680 93706 94015 187721 83.54 85.85 84.68

58 JANGIPUR 110854 103427 214281 90088 88833 178921 81.27 85.89 83.50

59 RAGHUNATHGANJ 107643 100312 207955 81434 84375 165809 75.65 84.12 79.73

60 SAGARDIGHI 105657 100134 205791 85436 84845 170281 80.86 84.73 82.74

61 LALGOLA 103264 96076 199340 82248 82602 164850 79.65 85.98 82.70

62 BHAGAWANGOLA 116770 107789 224559 97859 94858 192717 83.80 88.00 85.82

63 RANINAGAR 115921 108008 223929 95013 94546 189559 81.96 87.54 84.65

64 MURSHIDABAD 120660 114129 234789 102487 97969 200456 84.94 85.84 85.38

65 NABAGRAM (SC) 114505 107861 222366 89212 91798 181010 77.91 85.11 81.40

66 KHARGRAM (SC) 105342 98100 203442 78518 82379 160897 74.54 83.98 79.09

67 BURWAN (SC) 100861 92041 192902 74718 76024 150742 74.08 82.59 78.14

68 KANDI 106891 100305 207196 73594 84741 158335 68.85 84.49 76.42

69 BHARATPUR 111661 102788 214449 81499 83054 164553 72.99 80.80 76.73

70 REJINAGAR 117440 106564 224004 93923 90669 184592 79.98 85.09 82.41

71 BELDANGA 114005 104692 218697 88136 87356 175492 77.31 83.44 80.24

72 BAHARAMPUR 117723 118144 235867 93265 93276 186541 79.22 78.95 79.09

73 HARIHARPARA 112812 105324 218136 95323 93436 188759 84.50 88.72 86.53

74 NOWDA 113449 104361 217810 92663 88571 181234 81.68 84.87 83.21

75 DOMKAL 121004 112606 233610 95619 99536 195155 79.02 88.39 83.54

76 JALANGI 118519 109575 228094 93669 97159 190828 79.03 88.67 83.66

Total 2441645 2293311 4734956 1939206 1950386 3889592 79.42 85.05 82.15

General Elections to 240 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016 sveep initiatives in hooghly

In Hooghly district, a unique Run for Democracy was • SDO and SDPO/DySP organized covering no less than 275 kilometers on the • ADM and Addl SP day before the National Voters’ Day in which officials, • DM & DEO and SP people’s representatives, citizens from across the district participated. In another innovative practice, a small letter was personally addressed by the District Election Officer to all the voters in the district to check whether their names exist in the electoral rolls. The programme, nicknamed Chhoto Chitthi, was taken up in a mission mode in the run up to the elections. DEO’s appeal was spread in other modes also, through public transport and railway rains.

1. in another mass-mobilizing movement, a unique Voter Contact Program was launched during the period 24th to 28th February, 2016 with a view to ensuring voter contact and confidence building through field visit of election related officials.

2. in this programme bursts of activities were taken up at five levels: • Flying Squad with joint participation of civil, CPF & police officials • BDO and IC/OC of police station

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 241 sveep initiatives in HOWRAH

District Mascot & Logo

Display in Gas Cylinder

Display in T-shirts and Key Rings

Batul The Great : the Distrct Mascot Comic Strip with Message of Ethical Voting

We selected Batul, the Great as District Mascot and Messages on Ethical Voting were given a unique comic created a Logo using the Mascot. Consent of Shri Narayan turn when it were voiced through the persona of Nante Debnath, the famous creator of this character, had been and Fonte, the comedy duo who went a long way to taken. Shri Debnath happened to be the resident of this defeat surreptitious designs of keltu to influence voting district. Batul, the famously known comic character has by money and muscle. The messages were told in a a great appeal in Bengal. Batul continues to be a symbol comic vein characteristic of Shri Narayan Debnath, who of courage, honesty, simplicity and power of the good created these comic strips for district administration. overowering the evil. District Campaign materials in Another theme which was very relevant for the district all forms had been developed centering round this was a relatively low turn-out in voting compared to character used as mascot and logo. Mass awareness other districts in the state. Accordingly, another comic campaign was undertaken by pasting adhesive stickers strip was developed centering round the theme of with awareness messages on Voter Turnout and Ethical indifference of voters to vote.T hese messages were Voting using the Logo on Gas Cylinders, Gas distribution widely disseminated through hoardings, flexes, leaflets vehicles in the district. This had an amazing penetration and displayed in numerous locations in the district. reaching out to maximum households in the district.

General Elections to 242 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016 Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 243 District Innovations : Information Technology birbhum Bharosa: Integrated Election Management Platform

The concept of Vulnerability Mapping as an effective tool for increasing voter confidence had been adopted by the ECI from the General Elections to State Legislatures in 2011. During the General Elections to House of People in 2014, it was used as an important input in planning Confidence Building Measures by CAPF. In the run up to General Elections 2016, the Law & Order situation in Birbhum district was frequently in headlines due to pronounced political rivalry. There was a perception of vulnerability among Sections of voters as well as Political parties. The district administration was keen to have a firm focus of effective vulnerability mitigation strategy for conduct of free, fair and peaceful elections.

The Making of BHAROSA With effective vulnerability mapping, the Commission had over the last few elections stressed upon providing a level playing field to all candidates and political parties and consequently Expenditure Monitoring during elections gained predominance. The advent of easy communication facilities and 24 X 7 electronic media has resulted in a surfeit of complaints particularly on Poll day which were to be redressed in the quickest possible time. In all these activities the critical human asset involved in actual field work were the Sector Officers who were usually Group B officers of the State Services generally posted at the CD Blocks. In Birbhum District, a Sector Officer used to look after about 12 Polling Stations, catering to a population of about 15,000 living in about 35 hamlets. Typically, a Sector Officer was to cover 18 sq km of area under his beat. It was in the face of the challenges of limited human resources and high dependency on the deliverables by the Sector Officers that the BHAROSA suite of applications was launched for an effective and efficient means of seamless information flow having the capabilities of high redundancy, dependability and verifiability – all with existing technologies having low setup costs. BHAROSA, a suite of applications was designed for both real time and offline information sharing using both Android apps and web portal. Components of BHOROSA

Vulnerability Mobile Live FST/ SST Complaint Mapping Tracking Reporting Management System

Realtime VM SO FST /SO/ MCC Ann A - Cash Complaint Entry Movement from Toll Free, entry Seizure Report tracking SAMADHAN, PGRS

Online VM DEO Mobile Video Ann B - MCC Complaint generation and mon- Forwarding to SO itoring by DEO, SP Streaming Violation by Mobile App & SMS CAPF Movement Distance SST Ann C Report Planning vectoring SO Report by Mobile App - Text, Criticality Factors Image & Audio Video Recording with geo tagging Draft deployment plan

General Elections to 244 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016 General Features of Vulnerability Mapping • The application also identifies the weighted through BHAROSA criticality of Polling Stations for the planning of deployment of forces on Poll day. • The main objective of this application is to obtain periodic VM SO inputs from the Sector Officers on General Features of Live GPS Tracking and the field on real-time basis and to provide the AC Streaming through BHAROSA wise compiled reports of intimidated person and • While the Sector Officers or the In-Charges of FSTs or intimidators to the Returning Officer for preventive SSTs remain in the field, the Election Management action and thereafter to provide the district-wise Setup is mainly tied up at the office for various office report to the DEO for necessary action. based works, particularly as the Poll day approaches. • The application provides an Android based app to • This application was designed to provide the the Sector Officers which are installed in the Android Election Managers like the ROs and DEO to view phone of the SO for capturing relevant VM SO data the situation in the field through live feed from from the field.T he data is then compiled by the the officers in the field and also to monitor their application on real-time basis and made available movements and activities in the field on real time to RO and DEO along with date, time and location basis. stamping in the portal. For redundancy, the SOs are also provided controlled access for reporting • The application uses the GPS tracking system through the portal in case of any emergency. inbuilt in Android smartphones for geo-tagging the movements of the officers and displays the • Input regarding other factors used to derive same on GIS map for election managers on real- criticality of Polling Station is obtained from Police time basis. The application uses the Cameras on the administration. smartphone for broadcasting live voice and audio • All the actors like SOs, ROs, DEO, SP and CAPF from the field which is collected via a streaming are provided with user controlled access to this server and presented before the Election Managers application for obtaining requisite information on as Live Feed or is recorded for future viewing in the real-time basis. cloud server. The application has provision for field officers for alerting the Control Room in case of any • All information on vulnerable hamlets and CBM urgency by a single SOS button. undertaken by CAPF are plotted on GIS map having AC, Block or Police Station as boundary for real time • The application has the capability to handle 100 assessment and planning of further Confidence incoming video streams in parallel and PIP live Building Measures by the CAPF. display of up to 6 video streams.

BHAROSA – Specifications

OS LINUX CPU 4 x 2 GHz (Xeon) Language PHP/Javascript RAM 4 GB

Database MySQL HDD 100 GB App for Bandwith 1000 GB per month portal

d C lou Server Security alpha SSL (Symantec)

os android 4.4 or higher 150 streams capturing RAM 256 MD or higher 100 stream online live view Camera 2 MP FTP Server storage Access Precise Location/ Video App for Memory/ Storage/ Streaming Smartphone Network/ Video/Audio/ Phone status & identity

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 245 BHAROSA – A Break with the Past

Traditional Reporting of Vulnerability Mapping by SOs, BHAROSA provides an integrated reporting environment compilation by ROs and finally by DEO takes precious from SOs in real time through Android based reporting time away from quick response and CBM by CAPF and App which can be instantly accessed by all stakeholders necessary preventive action by local police through secure G2G server While there are several interventions for L & O, MCC & BHAROSA integrates all reporting platforms for VM SO, FST Complaint Monitoring and EEM in the ground through and SST achieving 360° convergence. This is being used as SO, FST, SST and VST, necessary convergence of data one of the primary inputs for Vulnerability Management is difficult as there is no single platform to bring them Planning. together

Traditional Poll day complaint handling is phone based BHAROSA integrates voice, text, photo & video reporting by voice reporting which leaves scope for ambiguity field officers during Poll day with SMS based alerts

BHAROSA is a cheap and innovative Android GPRS No scope for Geo-referenced reporting and monitoring referenced reporting environment, the concerns are in traditional system making it difficult to monitor and instantly flagged in GIS making it much easier for planning plan interventions at the District or higher level interventions

• This application consists of an Android app which General Features of Complaint Management has to be installed in the smartphone of the field System through BHAROSA officer one time only and switched on as reports • The last component of the BHAROSA application for duty. The tracking and live feed is seen by the suite is meant for intensive monitoring of complaints Election Managers through user access controlled on P-1 day and on P-day, where, there is a quantum web portal. jump in the number of complaints from citizen, • The application acts as the eyes and ears of political parties, candidates and their agents and the Election Managers and is a very useful tool also from media. for obtaining the live situation on the ground, • Further, with the implementation of the SAMADHAN particularly in case of complaints. and PGRS portals at CEO, West Bengal and at ECI General Features of FST and SST Reporting respectively where response time had been fixed through BHAROSA at maximum 1 hour, this application was helpful in obtaining field level enquiry reports from the Sector • A total of 107 numbers of FSTs and SSTs were Officers within the minimum of time possible. functional in Birbhum district during General Election 2016. Each FST and SST was required to • The application combines a web application submit daily report in predefined format for central operated from the DEO and RO Control Rooms compilation at the District level before forwarding at one end and integrated with the Android app to the State/ Commission. installed in the mobile of the Sector Officer. • The application was designed mainly as a reporting • Whenever, any complaint is entered in the portal by and compilation tool for use by the officers in the SST the control room, the details are pushed to the app in and FST for daily report using their Android mobiles. the mobile of the corresponding Sector Officer and These reports were compiled by the software on a further SMS is also forwarded. The Sector Officer real-time basis and district report was compiled. on proceeding to the location enquires and sends a short text report with photograph, audio or video • As many of the Officers in-charge of FSTs or SSTs through the app which is seen by the Control Room was from the pool of sector officers, the integration instantly provided data connectivity is ensured. The of this application provided them with a single report is geo-tagged with date and time stamping reporting platform using their Android phones itself. to ensure veracity of the report before uploading of the same to SAMADHAN/PGRS portal.

General Elections to 246 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016 Bharosa – a SWOT Analysis

STRENGTH WEEKNESS – real time GIS linked information collection and – no G2C interface and consequently information in compilation by SOs public domain had to be separately uploaded – integration of all information collected by SOs in one portal – no option of receiving information/ inputs directly – easy and quick installation and online version control from citizens – High security with only G2G access through registered – Quality auditing and certification not done devices – only Andriod based apps developed, no support for – High redundancy to deal with network issues at field level, app senses connectivity status other smartphone systems – real time compilation of collected data for instant – Data portability from existing systems developed by decision making and intervention planning superior offices like ECI, CEO office – Geo-tagging of movements with date and time stamping for veracity – GIS based location maps and scatter maps for easy intervention planning

OPPORTUNITIES THREATS – commonly available free services like browsers, GIS – change in SIM/ Phone set by SOs in the field mapping through Google maps etc – as common Andriod phones were used, possibility – easy availability of low cost Android phones having of errors in GIS mapping due to limitations of GPS GPS tracking reduces capital cost of infrastructure purchase tracking – in house development of Software has resulted in low – multiplicity of entries in other parallel applications acquisition cost developed by superior offices like ECI, CEO office – in house development team has led to quick delivery and change management – Good coverage of 3G & stable data connection through mobile service providers in the district – availability of cost efficient but powerful cloud- servers to service multiple connections as well as storing high volume of data

Outcome Analysis

The App was used extensively during entire Election period especially in pre-poll phase. It helped in easy identification and supervision of vulnerable areas, vulnerable persons and neutralization through CAPF movement. All these were captured on real-time basis and plotted on the map for effective monitoring. Other features of the Application made compilation of data simple and effective.T he critical factors which were fully captured through the application were used while preparing Force Deployment Plan on Poll Day. Overall, the intervention came as a very useful tool for the district administration in the run-up to elections. The election in the district was conducted very successfully with no major law and order disturbance and not a single Re-Poll was ordered by ECI. All political parties, people at large and the election machinery expressed its full satisfaction in the election process. This enhanced the credibility of the election people in the eyes of the people.

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 247 IT initiatives in jalpaiguri

The District administration of Jalpaiguri took an initiative to modernize the monitoring system of WBLA Election 2016 and planned to launch an Android based monitoring system named Election Information Support System (EISS) for the Sector Officers throughout the district. The main aim of the said project was to speed up the issue report and reply process with real time movement tracking. In this context special team for project was deployed. This system was operational from P-2 day to Poll day. During this period the system was online and operative. Administration took steps to spread the system nodes to the appropriate officials. When it came to effective management of election affairs in the district as well manoeuvring Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) initiatives in the area to bolster voters’ confidence about arrangement for free and fair poll, the mandate of the Election Commission, use of technology with the EISS app was a situational corollary.

Integrated Election Management Platform Mission and Goals Level of Users Using the System

District administration Jalpaiguri has taken an initiative This system is built on the three tier model (ie. DEO, to modernize the West Bengal Legislative Assembly RO, Sector). Tier one users are Flying squad and Sector Election 2016 monitoring system. And planned to Officers and the tier two users are Returning Officers launch an android based monitoring system for the of various Assembly Constituency. And at the top tier Flying Squad Team and Sector Officers throughout the District Election Officer (DEO) is the only user. Every tier district. The main aim of the said project is to speed has its own limitation regarding accessing the data. An up the issue report and reply process with real time android app is deployed to the tier one user. Tier two and movement tracking. In this context special team for three has there supporting web portal at their end. All project has been deployed. As of today the system is users of the various tiers are having their own password online and operative. Administration has taken steps to to login to the system. spread the system nodes to the appropriate officials.

The sector details during the West Bengal Legislative Assembly 2016 were as follows

Assembly Constituency Sl. No. Total No. of PS Total No. of PSL Total No. of Sectors No. & Name 1 14-Madarihat (ST) (Part) 51 38 5 2 15-Dhupguri (SC) 257 204 26 3 16-Maynaguri (SC) 271 239 28 4 17-Jalpaiguri (SC) 280 207 27 5 18-Rajganj (SC) 251 206 23 6 19-Dabgram Fulbari 284 118 20 7 20-Mal (ST) 257 187 26 8 21-Nagrakata (ST) 257 210 28 District Total 1908 1409 183

General Elections to 248 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016 Sector Officers had their Zonal Plans prepared for Law & different surveillance teams were made functional Order maintenance with sketch maps of Polling Stations, round the clock. The Sector Officers, being the Sector list of election related officers with contact numbers, Magistrates of the respective jurisdictions had frequent details of Police Stations, list of responsible persons who movements for monitoring the task of teams like FST, could come to be of hold during crisis management as VST, SST and CBM. Since, these officers could be tracked well as the lists of the trouble mongers with respective with the support system and were fully responsible for areas of influence. Since the Sector Officers only acted maintaining conducive atmosphere for the conduct as Special Executive Magistrates during the election election. The EISS online movement tracking facility of period on receipt of approval from the Commission in Sector Officers was effective and easy to manage their this regard, tracking of their movement through this movement for complaint redressal. The system of in app not only ensured addressing eventualities but also time report retrieval mechanism was found successful facilitated CBMs with frequent visits of Sector Officers in facilitating the faster decision making process before with their Police counterparts. situation could go beyond control, especially in place like Jalpaiguri where habitats and Polling Stations are With the real time movement tracking of officers being really bestrewn around the district expanse. operated successfully, the whole communication of the election process became dynamic, channel of query, n the whole all the cells were functionally connected reply and reporting was spontaneous. Any laxity from by the EISS through the Law & Order cell and ultimately the part of any officer could be located and action taken it helped the election machinery to a great extent to accordingly. conduct free and fair election in Jalpaiguri district. Such The support system was absolutely handy and mechanisms with further improvements may be helpful efficacious mainly during the days before the poll when in the conduct of future elections.

A good number of movements for Sector Officers and Returning Officers were monitored using this system ensuring proper and timely tackling of election related occurrences. All the concerned officers were on high alert due to the real time tracking facility and were always ready to tackle any eventuality, as and when occurred, if any, during the period through this system.

Status of Complaints

SL. Assembly Complaint No. Constituency Received Disposed Remarks 1 2 3 4 1 District Level 54 54 2 15 - Dhupguri (SC) 24 24 3 16 - Maynaguri (SC) 3 3 Of these, most of the cases during P-2 to Poll day when the support system was operational, the cases related 4 17 - Jalpaiguri (SC) 97 97 to MCC violation, illegal meetings were addressed in 5 18 - Rajganj (ST) 20 20 time in which EISS was quite effective since this ensured timely movement of the concerned officers who could be 6 19 - Dabgram-Fulbari 140 140 monitored as well. 7 20 - Mal (ST) 33 33 8 21 - Nagrakata (ST) 5 5 Total 376 376

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 249 IT initiatives in murshidabad

Boosted with the success of GPS tracking of flying squads in Lok Sabha Elections 2014, Murshidabad Election machinery replicated the practice in the West Bengal General Assembly Elections, 2016 with a fair amount of success. All the 66 MCC Flying Squads in the district were put under live tracking and monitoring using GPS enabled mobile phones and a web based GIS system which was customized for the election purpose. One each GPS enabled Mobile Phone were handed over to Flying quads in which Android application for tracking and data uploading were pre-installed. The movement of these Flying Squads was then tracked from both Block level and at District level. The FSTs were particularly instructed to send real time updates about their observations from the field. The information uploaded is tagged with their latitude/longitude coordinates and hence field presence and thorough coverage of area became mandatory.

Key Features captured. Provision of Basic Minimum Facilities at Polling stations was also monitored through the system. • Real Time and recorded movement tracking of MCC/ Flying Squads. Challenges and Solutions

• Geotagged Information (text and images) pops up • Training and Capacity Building: The apprehension in the web portal on real time. of being tracked from above had to be removed by emphasizing on the positive aspects of the • GIS of AC boundary, Block boundary, Police Stations, system. The required minimum technical capability Polling Stations, Static Surveillance Teams etc. was missing in some cases which were overcome Key Performance Indicators through training. • Time Spent in the field • Distance Covered • No. of data • Network Availability: The system was so designed uploads from the field per day • Geographic spread of that the data can be captured even without internet activity. connectivity but can be uploaded as and when connection is available. Implementation • Continuous Monitoring and Feedback had to The software set up was done in such a way that the be ensured to pass on the message that the application is mostly generic and NOT specific for any district administration is seriously monitoring the purpose including election. Hence the question of movements. This helped in enforcing the movement cost effectiveness is resolved. Android mobile phones of FSTs across their jurisdiction. were procured for each block and the users were given sufficient training. A multi layered technical support was • FST vehicles were provided with ECI logo and provided with Block Information Officer (BIO) who acted stickers. This branding enhanced the visual presence as first point of contact, followed by District IT Cell and of administration in the interior areas. then the Tech support from the software developer. Outcome Analysis The movement of the Vehicles was tracked on a real time • Increased field presence of Flying Squads. basis from the Block and District HQ. The Flying Squads captured images of MCC violations, Naka Points, etc. from • Real time evidences of encroachments, wall writings the field while they were doing their duty and uploaded and other such MCC violations. those then and there. BDOs were entrusted the task of • Supplemented Polling Station visits by the Officers. monitoring and responding to the information sent by The Basic Minimum Facilities were reported with the Flying Squads. supporting images from the Polling Stations. Vehicle checking, removal of wall writing and • Defaulting Flying Squads were contacted defacement of public properties, seizure of cash and immediately and were asked for explanation of liquor, rallies and meetings by political parties etc. were their prolonged inactivity.

General Elections to 250 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016 IT initiatives in NADIA

The primary objective of introducing IT applications was to provide a common platform to all to access all relevant information of elections in the district. The applications helped district administration analyze information pertaining to law & order, daily report returns, poll day communication, proper guidance to voters, in time disposal of complaint and others. We used two platforms, (i) Web Portal (nadiaelection2016. in), and (ii) Android application (E-traverse, E-monitoring, Nadia Direct). In each platform there were two points of access, one for public (open source) and the other is for administration (civil & police), which is password protected.

Web Portal: nadiaelection2016.in turnout report of last held election etc. They can check the exact distance and approx time needed to reach In web portal public can fetch the important information from one booth to another booth by setting one as start regarding the election like contact numbers of DEO, and the other as end point, even the alternate routes Observers, ROs, AROs, Sector Officers, Nodal Officers, also. They can also check the nearest hospitals, Police Zonal Magistrates, Police administration , Media headquarter, Block office, District Office there.T hey can personnel etc. Daily news paper cuttings, video clippings also find the day wise activity calendar during the whole related to election had also been uploaded their day process. SVEEP items like theme song prepared by us, wise. our election mascot (Vote Gopal) encouraging people to caste their vote are also available there. Photo gallery of the activities of election managers from every corner of the district is available there. ECI guidelines were also available to them just a click apart. In the admin part there are a lot of additional features which bore fruit successfully to make it a grand success for us. The administrative part has been segregated with three parts, viz. (i) MCC & Law & order, (ii) E-Monitoring report system, and (iii) GIS mapping & movement.

(i) mcc & Law & Order is a way for daily report returns from the different ends of the district related to They can lodge complain which had been disposed by MCC, Law & order issues, nomination etc. for intra then by our team dedicated for the work only during communication. the process. They can find the district map where each booth was located with the information of basic (ii) e-monitoring is an application integrated part where facilities available there, male female voter ratio, voter one (election managers) can upload any report in

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 251 video, audio or image format with all details of the between booths and shortest path (including respective spot from their android mobile phone alternative path) to reach there were listed. In standing their, and got just in time response. Every this part admin can see the election manager’s field agent had been provided with separate user id movement on the map and current location on the and password for them to log into the application map as every election manager was logged in the which made them attached to the map through GPS. map portal through GPS for 24x7 tracking. With this feature the field managers uploaded the reports in the desired format and it directly came to the most introduced part here is movement plan & the portal where a dedicated person was engaged to route map matrix. With the movement plan option track it and response as needed. The report the field one can select particular points and make all the submitted came to the portal with the time and the routes visible from and to any particular on the map. latitude and longitude of the position automatically. With the matrix option one can select booths in This helped us keep track of their efficiency of effort. an AC or between sectors and it will show a matrix view, which will give information about the distance and minimum time to reach a distance between booths in tabular form with hyperlink embedded. Each hyperlink will take to the map and show the shortest and the alternative route to reach their including minimum time to reach. the most useful and effective part here is “P-day Communication”. It consists of two different ends, one for civil administration and one for police administration. In civil administration respective RO, SDO, BDO, Zonal Magistrate, SO, Presiding Officer’s mobile no is enlisted in respect to a particular booth. One can select the booth from the drop down menu under Assembly and Sector or can manually search it by typing the booth part no. Here the admin can type and send SMS to all those persons enlisted at one time. For police admin there are Mobile nos. of SO, RT mobile, QRT, HRFC, OC/IC, CI, DSP & SDPO of a booth.

Utility: This web portal delivered us a result satisfactorily during the whole process and most successfully on the P-day. We have disposed 763 complaints within a promising time on P-day with the help of the P-day Communication option and E-monitoring option. More over it has been successfully implemented our efforts in conducting the WBLA Election 2016 in a peaceful manner. Not only this, we have received a positive response from the Observers and the Election agents also for its clear view of expression and way of communication with the common people. Through this we have incorporated our efforts with views among the voters. (iii) In the GIS Mapping & Movement part the map of Android Application: (i) E-traverse, (ii) E-monitoring, district with all the booths were shown categories (iii) Nadia direct into three different ways (Normal, Critical & Vulnerable) with three different colours respectively Introduction of android apps into the process brought (Green, Orange & Red). All the basic facilities, distance a new motivation among the persons related to this. It

General Elections to 252 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016 was the most effective plan to reach to individual voter, b) Navigation: This is to help to guide one to any persons involved in election work. These apps helped particular booth from his/her current location or from the election managers to execute their work and in daily any particular booth with the minimum time to reach report returns up to a level of appreciation. their including alternate route to reach their in Google map and navigate to the point of destination. All the applications are available in the Google Play store and free of cost.

E-traverse: This is an application which has following options

This gave us a very positive response from the public who has no idea about the booth location or could not find way to their booth from their location.I t has been appreciated from the observers coming from outside of the district.

c) BMF (Basic Minimum Facility): It showed the basic facilities available at booths under a particular sector.

a) Map Booth location: To view the location of all the booths among the district in the Google map in their android mobile phone. By tapping on each booth they could view the detail of the booth and the SO and BLO name & mobile no. attached to that particular booth. It helped the people contact with the SO and BLO for any kind of assistance on the P-day.

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 253 d) Sign In / Home: This option needs password from Election Statistics: This will show the statistical details the user which the admin only has. After logging in it will of booth(s) in a sector of BMF, criticality and route map show “Home” option, which has the following option for (with navigation). It helped one to check the detail of the admin using the application. a booth and check it by going there with the help of navigation option from their current position.

Sector Movement matrix: This is a special inclusion of movement matrix where one have to choose an AC and it will show the list of Sectors with quick links, which will pop up the Distance Matrix for Booths among the Sector similarly showed in the web portal. There are links for distance between two booths, which will take him to the google map showing the route between them.

Map Booth location: It will show all those which is in public view, but in addition to that an administrator can view the booths marked duly according to the level of criticality with three different colours (Green, Orange and Red). Which helped all the officials including the observers keep that booths under surveillance.

General Elections to 254 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016 Vulnerability mapping: This portion would display the P-Day Communication: This is option from where the list of vulnerable persons and intimidators with identity admin can send SMS or Call to the field officers present details and address. on the day of polling. There are specific list of officers enlisted for separate sector and booth, which helped the This helped the officials to track their activity during the District Election officers and Superintendent of Police to whole process. communicate with them (logged in with separate PIN) without any delay on the occurrence of any kind of incident. This helped them a lot on that day to save the time for the other process to be executed smoothly.

Booth at a Glance: It would show the voter details of a booth (including separate count for PH voters), last report of voter turnout, Detail of Sector officer and BLO and options to call and send SMS to them, also with

navigation option. ype and send SMS T

Toll free No.: There is a toll free no which is “18003453269” for communication with the district authority directly using the app. There are two more apps integrated with this apps, means no one have to exit from the app and start the other app, which are E-monitoring and Nadia Direct.

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 255 E-Monitoring: This is an application to upload the report directly call them and send SMS using the application. through picture, video & audio file to the district web There is another facility also for sending SMS to a group portal for proper monitoring and taking quick response of officials at a time.T his helped reducing effort of on the P-Day for smooth and uninterrupted conduction carrying separate contact list, beside it helped in faster of the whole process. communication with the officers present in the district. Every field agent had been provided with separate Id and password to log in the app from their phone. Whenever they are working in the field they could also upload the reports in detail of booth, village, Sector, AC of the inspection in pictorial, video or audio format for quicker response from the authority. It helped them to work smoothly and actively as they found it a better way to communicate. The reports they submitted came to the portal with the exact Latitude & Longitude of the position from where they had uploaded the report and the exact time of upload automatically. Administrator, Observers, BDOs could always check the reports being uploaded by the field agents by separate login Ids. This was much appreciated by the field agents as well as the police for the faster way of communication.

Impact Analysis These three android applications made their way successfully among the officials as well as voters in various ways. Items like reporting system, maps & navigation, contact directory booth details etc. reduced efforts up to a level. Besides, it was the most comfortable way to work while you are on the way to somewhere. Nadia Direct: It is more like a digital telephone directory. You don’t have to carry any papers or any kind of devices It is open source and for all users. Anyone can shortlist other than your android mobile phone, all in all it was the name of officers with contact details. Anyone can the package itself.

General Elections to 256 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016 IT initiatives in south 24 parganas e-Dristi: It was a special endeavour taken up by the Team South 24 Parganas for making the election process smooth and transparent. An android based mobile application; it brought details of each and every polling station at one’s fingertip.I n one touch, one could navigate to the polling booth anywhere in the district along with necessary statistics such as contact details, nature of Polling Station, distance, route map, details of sectors and others. This has helped both election machinery officials and the electors. 2. the list of Critical Polling Stations. 3. the list of vulnerable persons/families. 4. the list of intimidators causing vulnerability. 5. list of intimidators bound down under preventive section 6. Pending NBW and reason of non-execution 7. seizure of illegal arms, ammunition and explosive etc. 8. seizure of illicit liquor

Important Features of e-Dristi 1. important Contacts 2. all Booth Position on Map 9. seizure of unauthorised cash 3. BMF Data 10. Programme of Star campaigner 4. statistics about all AC at a glance 11. major complaints and action taken 5. Distance Matrix 12. mcc violation and action taken 6. sector Movement 13. naKA points 7. navigate to any Booth from a location 14. list of FST and SST and action taken by them Web-based & SMS-based Vulnerability 15. Deployment of Force Monitoring (ABHAY) 16. sector /Police Officers and their mobile nos. The information and the action taken were shared Vulnerability mapping application was a Web-based and through e-mail and SMS both. SMS – based application for enhancing efficiency and transparency in dispensation. The application was a G2G It was accessible to ROs and ADMs and used extensively service. for preparation of VMSO, VMRO, VMDEO and for determination of critical and sensible Polling Stations The application had following details for security management which resulted peaceful and 1. the list of Vulnerable Polling Stations. complete incident free poll in the district.

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 257 District Innovations purba medinipur : Welfare for Differently Able Voters

Conducting Assembly or Lok Sabha Elections in India (a) Pre-assessment determining actual is a mammoth Event management Exercise. The sheer requirement volume of the task requires detailed planning and a survey was conducted through block and meticulous training. It requires systematic coordination sub-division level administrative machineries among thousands of personnel assigned with plethora immediately before the date of notification of of responsibilities and varied levels of capabilities. It election to assess the exact number of electors with involves multitude of agencies who must coordinate different types of physical disabilities, category wise, in perfect precision to execute the given task in strictly to ascertain the exact number and type of supports time bound manner. Given this background, during to be provided to them. Assembly Elections 2014, District Purba Medinipur took up some special initiatives to ensure that the essence of Assessment participatory democracy is ensured in its true sense with Popula- PWD 5095875 Elector 3659584 target specific interventions for Specially able Persons tion Electors with Disabilities. Male 2629834 Male 1898581 15500 Purba Medinipur district generally witnesses high voters’ Female 2466041 Female 1752008 participation (above 88%). However, during the SRER 2016, it was found that a substantial portion of persons (b) Motivational drives through CSOs with special abilities were left out of the Electoral Roll due to physical barriers and infrastructure lacunae .The identification of partner NGOs and involving them in the process were initiated so that the electors district then took series of initiatives to get their names with physical disabilities could be motivated and included by extending facilities for them to the door well trained to take part in the electoral process. A steps. As a result, more than 15,000 persons with special series of meetings and workshop were conducted abilities were enrolled in the electoral rolls. This initiative with Civil Society Organizations to frame a policy for was recognized by ECI and Purba Medinipur was also awareness and tools to be provided to facilitate the awarded for this initiative during NVD 2015. This led to PWD Electors. To name some of the CSOs entrusted the idea of taking this recognition and initiative to the with the help of Department of Social Welfare and next logical step: Disable Friendly elections in the Department of Information and Cultural Affairs – district through a series of special interventions. Ramakrishna Mission Blind School, Kolkata;“SHRUTI” With the initial findings that were gathered from Deaf and Dumb School, Haldia; Vivekananda Loka experience of inclusion of PWD voters during the revision Sikha Niketan, Faridpur, Contai; Tamluk Unnayan exercise, critical gaps were found to make elections Samiti, Nimtouri, Tamluk; Haldia Samaj Kalyan accessible as well as less hazardous. Some areas were, Parshad, Haldia extended their spontaneous thus, identified for intervention: cooperation.

Interventions for Persons with Disability Vision Document was prepared to chalk out targets Step 1 Core team formation with the help of local resource persons and NGOs logistical planning was made to put the system in place with targets of providing wheel chair facility at Step 2 100% Polling Stations along with waiting areas on Poll day identify frontline volunteersin form of Booth Sahayaks to complete this task Public and target group awareness through special training and sensitization camps for Persons with step 3 special abilites,genral voters and Political parties and candidates poll-day execution for flawless implementation

General Elections to 258 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016 Identification of Persons with Disability in Assembly Constituencies 1800 1663 1612 1600 1425 1398

1400 1315 1273 1273 1258 1239 1239 1209 1200 1191 1042 1068 918 1000 918 895 908 893 882 864 863 786 800 770 654 653 629 613 600 474 448 450 447 400

200

0 203 204 205 206 207 208 209 210 211 212 213 214 215 216 217 218

Total 18+ Population with pwd electors with pwd as per final e-rolls

(c) arrangement of awareness camps: (d) SVEEP intervention to attract and to awareness camps and training workshops for the aware the PWD electors: physically challenged, visually challenged and deaf a separate and unique logo for district innovation and mute electors were organized in all 04 (four) programme on PWD electors were designed. sub-division level in different slots and on different Various photo shoots were taken with the physically dates. The Block Development Officers were challenged persons with different motivational engaged to communicate the programme schedule captions to propagate a message to encourage them with the help of Booth Level Officers to the individual in taking part in the electoral processes so that they electors having different types of disabilities in door- would feel free to exercise their franchisee. Efforts to-door manner. There are provisions of availability were taken to make them feel that strong support of braille sheet for the visually challenged persons in from administration was always there behind them the training session. A specialized group of trainers to cast their vote. Several cultural programmes in were invited to impart training with the help of the block, gram panchayat and municipality areas braille sheet to the stakeholders to easily identify were organized with the help of local folk artists in the desired candidates in the voting compartments. coordination with the Department of Information A good number of training EVMs were also placed and Cultural Affairs, West Bengal as awareness there in the workshop for hands-on training to make and motivational campaign for the Specially able them familiarised with the moulded braille signage electors. provided in the ballot unit of EVM. A specialized group of trainers who were expert in imparting district logo training with the help of sign language were also invited to impart training particularly to the deaf and mute persons. The entire programme of training and awareness was conducted for a period of two weeks with active cooperation of the principal of Ramakrishna Mission Blind School, Kolkata and officials of other CSOs.

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 259 Static outdoor creativity for SVEEP Campaign All 3581 polling premises will be provided with Permanent Ramp with Handrails

ANM, ASHA, AWW identified and engaged to act as Booth Sahayak provided by T-Shirt with Logo

(e) attachment of Self Help Group a good number of Self Help Groups were identified and tagged against each of the polling premises not only to provide required food and other logistic support to the polling personnel but they were also encouraged to procure wheelchairs at their own cost, which they would provide to the polling premises on hired basis for carrying of PWD electors Development of Signage at Polling Stations and aged electors.

Poll day interventions: The District administration had arranged for hiring of wheelchairs from Self Help Group for all 3581 nos. of polling premises. These wheelchairs were provided in order to carry the orthopedically handicapped electors on the poll day in the polling station premises. The Election Commission of India had kindly accorded its approval to our proposal. Thus, a special group of volunteers called Booth Sahayaks were engaged in each polling premise to assist the voters with disability and old age electors to enter the polling stations. Booth Sahayaks were directed to carry the wheelchair bound person up to the entrance of the polling stations after duly receiving the voter. A statutory DO’S AND DON’TS was formulated for the Booth Sahayaks, which had also been circulated among the media personnel and among the candidates and political parties well before the day of poll. A separate unique uniform specially designed for the Booth Sahayaks were provided for each of them for wearing the same on the day of poll so that anybody could recognize her well in the polling premises.

General Elections to 260 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016 Innovations in darjeeling

During West Bengal Assemble Election 2016 (WBLA), Darjeeling district started an initiative called Get, Set Vote. The initiative was launched immediately after the election was notified and was meant to achieve desired result once the countdown formally began. It encompassed various activities under SVEEP, optimum use of technology, law and order interventions and other innovations all combined under the common platform for catering to the specific needs and demands of all across the electorate. Various innovative activities such as the use of Red Panda as election mascot, development of an android app called Vote Mitra, Selfie/Group selfie contest, involvement of Press, and focus on Tea Gardens, were taken up so that desired objectives of elections could be attained. All these sub activities were carried out under the umbrella of ‘Get Set Vote’ initiative. The focused approach resulted in building up the momentum and eventually helped in successful conduct of elections in Darjeeling.

The objectives of elections are manifold and require publicized using this mascot in different formats: involvement of many, other than officials, drawn from – in the form of Vehicle Stickers a wide spectrum. It also requires a two way information – in the form of stickers on LPG Cylinder flow between election conducting machinery and citizens. The preparation for any election is a long – in the form of stickers on Himul packaged milk time affair. However once elections are notified, the – in the form of Posters / Banners / Flexes countdown starts. The mascot immediately gave an identity to the entire election exercise and all stakeholders started associating Red Panda mascot with the ensuing elections. Vote Mitra Darjeeling ‘Vote Mitra Darjeeling’ is an android app developed for voters of Darjeeling district and is the first-of-its-kind. The app has brought entire election-related information which any stakeholder may need on a single platform. Access to any information, be it locating the polling booth or seeking information about EPIC card, or simply intending to replicate some good practices would be just a touch away. Any person using smartphone gets access to all such information which was previously available only in the precincts of government. The android application could be downloaded from Google Team Darjeeling initiated a program called Get Set play store. The app witnessed 1300+ downloads. Vote from the date elections were notified and initiated various activities. • Locate Polling Station: The polling station name or number (in full or in part) could be entered to search Mascot: Red Panda, though endangered, is the pride a particular polling station. The polling station is of Darjeeling district. It was chosen as a mascot to immediately reflected on a map with BLO details. disseminate Get Set Vote messages. Broadly, all activities Directions to the map can also be easily searched undertaken in the district were carried under the stamp through the ‘Get Directions’ feature of the app. of this mascot so that people could associate it with elections. Important details such as the time and date • Search EPIC Information: Any EPIC number (of of election, control room number and other details were Darjeeling district) could be entered and the app

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 261 would provide complete EPIC details (like name, Selfie/ Groupfie Contest address, polling booth etc.). The directions to one’s A person alone/in a group could take selfie/Groupfie polling station could also be searched here. with any SVEEP material along with the suitable caption • Suvidha and Samadhan: The app provides quick and post it in the Facebook page of Darjeeling Nirvachan. access to Suvidha and Samadhan websites of the The picture getting the highest Likes was declared the Election Commission of India winner of the contest.

• General Information: The section provides The event helped in publicizing all the SVEEP materials information on Model Polling Stations, Polling and the messages regarding election were spread in an Stations with Women Polling Personnel, Assembly innovative manner. Constituencies and Contact Details of Election Officials. • Send a Video/Picture or Text to DEO: Anyone at one-touch can provide a picture, video or text message to the District Election Officer is he/she wants to inform the authorities about anything of urgent public importance related to elections • Know Your Election: The section provides access to DEO’s Appeal, EVM and VVPAT information, SVEEP material, Training Material for Polling Personnel, SMS details to know EPIC information and FAQs • One touch Contacts Bar: There is a one touch bar on the main dashboard to contact District Election Office.T he app also had push reminder messages so that messages could be flashed on all those who Intensive Mass Contact Programme downloaded the app. Facebook Page In order to prepare both the first time voters and voters who have been voting in the past, several intensive The District Election Office started a Facebook page to activities were taken up on a weekend i.e. 2nd and 3rd have a social media footprint and to create an interface April that is just a fortnight before the actual election with the voters. Important updates related to election date with partner organizations like schools & colleges, process and SVEEP activities were uploaded on this health department, NGOs and other line departments. page. Some target specific programs such as inter college Quiz competition, marathon, poster drawing poem writing This resulted in involvement of youth and tech savvy competition, pledge reading were organized at various employees and they could connect with others locations. Health camps were organized focusing on regarding election activities. senior citizens and ensure their participation. Election awareness through Life Size Mascot To engage with the voters, life size Red Panda mascots were designed and placed at important places in Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Kurseong and Siliguri. They were also paraded during a football match between East Bengal and Mohan Bagan at Siliguri having more than 20,000 spectators. This event along with the Red Panda present at various places generated wide media coverage and was even covered nationally. Animation Contest An animation contest was conducted and the

General Elections to 262 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016 participants had to prepare a small animation using (NIC) was use to send information on training schedule, Red Panda and an election theme. This resulted in transfer of poll day allowance to respective accounts of involvement of youth and the animations were the used P.P and the vehicle tagging for poll day. for publicity. Motivating Youth Focus on Tea gardens Flash dances and other similar activities were organized Considering that a large population of Darjeeling lives in at shopping malls for catching the aspiration of the Tea Gardens, focused SVEEP campaign was run in these urban electors. areas to inform and educate on issues such as use of EVM and significance of ethical voting. Involvement of Media All print/electronic media persons were requested to carry stories on Get Set Vote campaign daily till Election Day. Suggested themes along with supporting material were given to the press like:

• Understanding the election process: Hard work that goes in conducting successful elections

• Poll Participation: Why do some areas witness less voting percentages and what can be done about it

• Involvement of Women in Poll process including women voters, security personnel and government officials

• What is Ethical Voting? Why all of us should judiciously vote? Why democracy may not survive without active participation

• Youth and the poll process. Are first time voters enthusiastic about participation? Is there anything called urban apathy in voters

• What is EVM, how is your vote secured? What is VVPAT?

• What all should a Polling station have (Basic Minimum Facilities)? What is model polling station? What is all women personnel polling station? What Survey of Low Turnout areas is P-2 Polling station? Under the direction of the Commission, the district administration made KAP base line survey (Knowledge • Knowing polling personnel who conduct election, Aptitude and Practice) in those polling stations where where do they come from? How are they important the VTR were found to be less than the district average. in conducting elections? It was on the findings of KAP base line survey, further • Lesser known facts about the election, checks SVEEP strategies were formulated bridging the critical and balances to ensure free and fair polls like gaps. involvement of polling parties at various stages, Campaign through Bulk SMS interaction with press The general voters of the district were made aware of • What is SVEEP? Why is publicity important for free the poll date and timing by sending bulk SMS. Also and fair elections. What are different means to do the service of free SMS of National Informatics Centre that?

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 263 DEO and DM Darjeeling Anurag Srivastava personally putting emphasis on electricity, toilets, drinking visited many media houses/FM channels and interacted water etc. with public on issues related to elections. • Porters are hired for carrying belongings of polling parties who have to take last leg of journey on foot. • WLL-Wireless Local Loop sets are provided as most of these polling stations also fall in mobile shadow zones • Beddings/profiles and thermal blankets for the polling parties are arranged for basic convenience • Dry food packets viz, biscuits, tea sashays, and refreshment is provided • Specialized medical kits are provided. Best Photo &Story on election by media • Drinking water in form of packaged drinking water To encourage participation of media, two best photos bottles in ample volumes is provided. with stories on election that were published in print media (Hindi/ English/ Nepali/ Bengali) were recognized. • Flash lights/emergency lamps are provided for This encouraged friends from media to actively power-cuts. participate. • Other basic amenities like umbrellas, raincoats etc are also provided. Polling personnel welfare • Additional Assistant Sector Officers are deployed for The polling personnel of the three hill sub divisions better coordination are given duty in the assembly constituency which is not their home constituency and considering the long Facilitation for Differently Able Voters time taken in journeys on the hill, they reach their assigned Assembly Constituency on P-2 day and stay Well ahead of the poll, the district administration had a there overnight. Extra care was taken with regard to complete data of the differently abled electors for every their accommodation, fooding and entertainment. single polling station collected through BLO survey and The places of accommodation for polling personnel accordingly arrangements were made at the polling had provision for Televisions, caroms, chess and other stations with usable ramps having gentle gradient and indoor game accessories. Unlike in the plains it is not wheel chairs for transporting the old and physically possible to transport personal of several polling stations challenged electors. situated along the same route in a single large vehicle. Model and All Women Polling Station Each polling personal team was provided a single small vehicle to transport them. In order to bring out the human face of the election process, there were thirty six polling stations in the Focus on P-2 Polling Stations district identified as model polling stations having Due to the remote location, 14 polling booths of better BMFs like electricity, safe drinking water, toilets, Darjeeling have been designated as P-2 both ie polling ramps, separate exit entry and help desk for guiding parties have to start two days before the polling to the voters. In keeping with the spirit of recognizing the reach there. It was ensured that all SVEEP activities were women power, the district had earmarked 14 numbers conducted at these polling stations. During National of polling stations to be completely manned by female Voters day, special emphasis was given on the farthest polling personnel. Extra attention was given to these and the highest polling stations. The oldest voters of the booths in terms of providing basic minimum facilities booths were facilitated. and security to the female polling personnel. The following special measures are undertaken for Vulnerability analysis and route marches welfare of the Polling Parties reporting on P-2 day: A detailed vulnerability analysis was worked out in • BMFs are specially taken care of in polling stations which for each polling station various vulnerabilities

General Elections to 264 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016 were identified, it was analyzed what caused that iv. Women vulnerability and then measure taken to alleviate it • While there remains a yawning gap between were notified.T he entire report was shared with sector the turnout of male and female voters, it was officers, police and election observers.V ulnerable particularly positive in case of Darjeeling district, Hamlets identified by sector officers after frequent field with the difference being only 0.48% overall. visit and inputs from the police were brought under notice. After this movement of CAPF was accordingly • It was higher in Darjeeling constituency (23) coordinated and mobile numbers of vulnerable people with the difference of 1.20% in favour of female and those belonging to different political parties was voters. collected so that control room could talk to them periodically and get feedback. Those intimidating were • Even in the TG areas the turnout of the female bound down invoking preventive section and bounding voters was higher in most of the cases. them and execution of NBWs. v. law and Order Outcome • Due to vigorous awareness campaign and constant vigil by the district authorities, there i. voter Turnout Ration (VTR) were no major law and order issues in the District.

• As a result of all the awareness campaigns • For the first time in the election history of through SVEEP, the VTR has reached nearly Darjeeling district, there has been no incidence 80% in all six ACs. The VTR has been particularly of re poll during WBLA Elections 2016 which is remarkable in the rural areas. primarily due to brisk sector movement and well informed polling party with regard to conduct • VTR was highest in (25) Matigara-Naxalbari of poll matters and nuances of EVM. Constituency reaching 84.51%, which is really commendable in much respect. vi. polling Personnel ii. tea Garden: • An important achievement of polling personnel management has been that there were less • The turnout of the voters in the tea garden areas cases of exemption. Use of technology like has been above par in relation to overall district Vote Mitra, use of sms etc ensured smooth flow VTR. of information and ensured that the Polling • Mention must be made of Patabong TG, personnel were well acquainted with their duty. Singhbhum TG, Happy Valley TE & Phoobsering • The polling party was able to reach their destined TG in Darjeeling in 23 Darjeeling AC & Makaibari locations on P-2 and P-2 day easily as they could TE, Castleton TE & Ambootia TE in 24 Kurseong navigate their movement with the help of Vote AC, all of which have been above 80% VTR and mitra app. these were the tea gardens were intensive SVEEP activities had been carried out.

• Voter turnout was highest for Castleton TE which has seen 85.02% turnout. iii. youth Participation:

• Although there is no provision for keeping track of youth voters who turned on the day of polling day, it can be safely assumed that even in this case there was a substantial increase from the record of the Form-6 for inclusion of new names.

• Further, in all the awareness campaigns undertaken under SVEEP, there has been a tremendous response from the youth section.

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 265 paschim medinipur: What the BDO Says

Elections, of the stature of General Assembly Elections, are an engrossing phenomenon. The enthusiasm and passion to excel are infectious. It percolates down the strata of election machinery. The heat of elections is palpably on a high at the block development offices which happen to be the tier closest to the field and Polling Stations. The Block Development Officer who is an officer of theS tate Civil Service cadre leads from the As we continued interacting with voters, we felt that front with his platoon of officials steering every bit of they were under no stress. They were happy to see the activity to its logical conclusion. We will hear now from job the election machinery were doing. We could sense one such Block Development Officer his experience of confidence of voters increasing in administration and the West Bengal Legislative Assembly elections to get a we could feel there would be a good turnout on the poll feel of the field and the roots. day. Ensuring free, fair and peaceful election Rally for ethical Voting West Bengal Legislative Assembly Elections were a very challenging election. Starting with the Summary Chandrakona II Block administration left no stones Revision Exercise, 2016, the district and the Block unturned to ensure ethical and peaceful voting. We election machinery were upfront in election mode. decided to campaign it much in line with the political Down the line, the Returning and Assistant Returning parties. While they campaigned for votes, our motto Officers were in all readiness to execute instructions was to encourage people to vote for candidates of their of the Election Commission without deviation. The choice, to come out in good numbers on poll day and throng the polling stations right from the early morning. message for us was very clear, “Take elections very We also widely advertised “SAMADHAN” application by seriously, encourage people to vote, ensure ethical the Election Commission to instil confidence in voters voting, without fear so that it becomes a celebration of with the message that if they had any complaints, they our democracy “. Being the Block Development Officer, will not go unanswered. We organized a rally in which Chandrakona II Development Block and functioning we involved the Officers and Staff of all Government at the same time as ARO, 232 Chandrakona AC, the offices, including line departments such as Agriculture, responsibility was vested upon me and my team of Animal Resources Department, Women and Child officials to present an atmosphere, where people feel Welfare, Health and Family Welfare, Stamp Revenue and that they can vote without any fear and have confidence Registration, Labour-even officials of Gram Panchayats that administration is awake and taking every steps to came out in good numbers to make the rally a success. ensure free, fair and peaceful election. The General observer for 232 Chandrakona AC was Route March and Confidence Building incidentally present at Chandrakona II Block Office along Measures with the Returning Officer who praised the initiative taken by Block administration. The rally was a huge In line with the directions of the Election Commission, success and it caught the attention of all for its rightful route marches were conducted throughout the block message, Cast Your Vote fearlessly and judiciously for area, especially in vulnerable areas of the block to generate your vote counts. confidence among the voters.T he administration was virtually at the door steps of households seeking views of people, whether there existed any threat in those areas or perception of vulnerability in their mind that could act as a deterrent for them to vote. Every sector officer made it a point to visit the vulnerable areas along with the CAPF recurrently while the Returning Officer and myself conducted extensive visits across the block to eradicate any sense of vulnerability that might cross the mind of voters in the wake of elections.

General Elections to 266 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016 Distribution of Appeal Letter of DEO, Paschim among people that administration was beside them Medinipur in thick and thin. Also much in line with the district Election Group in Whatsapp, Chandrakona II Block had As route marches through its unmistakable show of its own whatsapp group named “WBLA ELECTION CKN strength jointly by the administration, police and CAPF II”, where all the Sector Officers, Assistant Sector Officers were boosting voters’ confidence, we could sense that and other election related officials were made part of an involvement of local people was necessary to further it to communicate on real time basis. The group was a strengthen the vow to vote. Booth awareness groups huge success. (BAG) had already been formed at polling stations with retired Government employees, teachers, NGO Conducting Raids at illicit liquour shops and members and Booth level Officers. We decided to use late night patrolling them to generate confidence spreading the message, Come and vote, administration is beside you. The Sector We conducted raids at country liquour shops with a Officers made frequent visits and interacted with them, sense of priority. From the inputs of Sector officers we especially in vulnerable pockets to instil a sense of trust gathered information where country liquor was being and weed out any perception of vulnerability that might sold. We could also know that many of these shops exist in their minds. We felt that the voters were getting were located in areas which were considered vulnerable rejuvenated. To add to it, we distributed appeal letter of the District Election Officers in Bengali vernacular mentioning legal provisions which could be applied against miscreants who would intimidate a voter or provide bribe to cast votes in favour of one particular political party. We also mentioned the 24 X 7 helpline number in the appeal letter to combat any situation of threat and intimidation felt by the voters. and consisted of 2-4 polling stations in near vicinity. We conducted frequent raids involving police and excise officials, sector officers,MCC and FS team and destroyed the country liquour dens. The raids were particularly successful in Porahari, Roshiyari, Kamarpur area of Bhagabantapur II Gram Panchayat areas. Also, late night checking of vehicles took place frequently by SSTs to check and rule out illegal transfer of money which could be used illegally for election purpose. Page in Social Media (Face book) and Whatsapp Group Spirit of MCC followed in letter and spirit- Ensuring level playing field. for all In this age SOCIAL MEDIA platforms such as Face book and Whatsapp are very essential to spread messages Quite expectedly, this election, all the contesting in quick time and draw attention of people on what political parties were vigorous in campaigning. There is happening around. Being frequent in social media, always was the possibility that MCC would get vitiated I had seen that there were a number of Government resulting in unruly situations leading to disruption in organizations operating Facebook pages on important law and order. But we were right on the guard from the Government schemes. We thought to take such an very first day of announcement of elections when MCC initiative at our block. Thus, we decided to publish our came to operation. We were impartial, checked every own Facebook page to spread messages of Election possible MCC violation issue, took lawful action against commission and also what steps were being taken to every offence impartially and immediately, attended carry out the directions of the Election Commission. We and disposed every complaint be it in SAMADHAN, or posted pictures of route march, confidence building over phone, or written complaint and ensured that measures initiated, Coverage of Model code of conduct, situation was under control always. The MCC team was demonstration of EVMs, SVEEP activities and raids in vigilant and sure at what they did and it was a smooth illicit country liquour shops to make people aware of sailing for us on the day of election. The complaints were the work being done throughout the block to ensure far less on poll day compared to Parliament elections people’s vote. The purpose was to generate confidence 2014. It helped immensely that we had 4 Flying squads

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 267 in block area in sensitive points and at vulnerable areas to check any situation that could have flared up, if kept unattended for long.

Ensuring everything in order: Basic Minimum Facilities (BMF) Everything might be in order but if the polling stations People Connect : SVEEP activity in Block were not suitable, it could bring in difficulties at polling stations on the day of poll. We ensured that there was As part of Systematic Voters’ Education programme, no such deficiencies. Be it water, electricity, ramp, entry we undertook a number of activities to make WBLA and exit and general condition of the building, we 2016 a success. We had a good performance during the had a thorough check on everything. Sector officers Summary Revision programme where we could enrol were frequent in their visits and the RO and the ARO many young electors. The preliminary job was done 232, Chandrakona AC were not far behind. They also but the big question remained.” Will they come to vote? moved and ensured that everything was in order and no So our job was only half done. That is why, we went for wonder, the Hon’ble General Observer was pleased with direct communication especially with the young and the arrangements at Polling Stations. female voters, who were reportedly a bit reluctant to come out and vote. We tapped the college and High schools and also attracted women voters through mass contact programmes like Human chain formation with ICDS, SHG and health workers. We also made it a point to connect with women voters, while we did confidence building programmes and distributed appeal letters of the DEO. We also did extensive SVEEP activities in and around the block areas. WBLA 2016, A human story on its own WBLA 2016 will always be remembered as an example of how perfectly an election could be organized. We felt proud that as a part of 232 Chandrakona AC, we could complete assembly elections without any fuss. The base work was started with the Summary Revision exercise and we only consolidated and consolidated further with each passing day. The toil and hard work of us all was Pictures of SVEEP, EVM Demonstration and Human Chain reflected in the high turn-out of voters. Percentage of Training people perfectly gets the perfect poll stood at 89.84 % for 232 Chandrakona AC. It is one result of the highest in the district of Paschim Medinipur. If WBLA 2016 is a story, then it is the story of those human A captain can be as good as his team. So to bring out the beings who acted as the cog of the wheel of Election to best possible results, I had to have a strong team and roll over smoothly. It is the story of these unsung heroes it could only be possible if we discussed the nuances, who did everything to make the lection a success. As intricacies if issues involved and properly train all who BDO, Chandrakona II Development Block and ARO 232 mattered, be it sector officers, police officials, BAG Chandrakona A.C., I take pride in our achievements, members. Other than formal trainings, meetings were take pride in my team mates while I shall cherish the held regularly, where we discussed, exchanged views experience of this election as a kind of model of how and ensured that we were in unison when it came to election process needs to be conducted. application of rules and guidelines. We ensured that none of us deviated from rules and in the end, we got – as told by Shri Gouri Shankar Dutta, WBCS(Exe.), BDO, the results. Chandrakon-II, Paschim Medinipur District

General Elections to 268 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016 south 24 parganas

It was a special endeavour taken up by the Team South 24 Parganas for making the election process smooth and transparent. An android based mobile application; it brought details of each and every polling station at one’s fingertip. In one touch, one could navigate to the polling booth anywhere in the district along with necessary statistics such as contact details, nature of Polling Station, distance, route map, details of sectors and others. This has helped both election machinery officials and the electors.

Green Elections in the Sunderbans decided that single premises with single booth got 3 numbers of Autos; single premises with double Proposing for Green and Clean Election in ecologically booth got 4 numbers of Autos and 6 numbers Autos fragile Sunderban areas was a unique concept to start used for single premises with triple booth. with. There are 13 Assembly Constituency segments in the Sunderban regions. Here, for campaign, no plastic As per above decisions it was found that 565 nos. of Auto materials were used, including banners and hoardings were used in total for 241 polling stations of 139 Canning Purba AC. Other than above requirement we had taken into account another 70 Autos to pick up members of polling parties from deferent nearest points to the DC at Howramari High School. QR-Codes on the Appointment Letter of Polling Personnel QR codes based on individual information were generated on the appointment letters of the polling personnel. At every stage of the election process, during training, reporting and Group displayed by political parties. LPG vehicles were used in formation at Distribution Centre and the 139 Canning Purba AC as part of this green initiative. reporting at Reporting Centre, the Usually the vehicular arrangement for any election is same QR code was used to scan to directly communicate conducted with locally available light and medium to the server to get information instantly by using a vehicles and also in some cases some heavy vehicles simple smart phone. QR code, instead of Bar code, was also. As this is a new step, we had prepared a complete used so that it could store the web address and could new plan with Green Auto Rickshaws (LPG) matching directly fetch information from the server. with available route chart. As this type of vehicular arrangement was new in nature comparing to other District Mascot: BAGHU previews elections we had taken it as challenge. District Mascot, BAGHU, During the preparation of details plan on vehicular had been designed to arrangement considering Green concept we had taken give all our election the following decisions. related activities a unique brand identity. Be it 1. For RO/ARO & Sector Officers Maruti Omni Van (LPG) voters’ education fair, were used. training, EVM and VVPAT 2. For MCC Cell and Awareness campaign team Green demonstration, BAGHU Auto (LPG) were used. was everywhere cajoling 3. in case of movement of polling parties, we had commoners to vote.

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 269 uttar dinajpur

Uttar Dinajpur district during its election preparedness confronted with a major issue of polling personnel shortage, vehicle shortage, basis infrastructure deficiencies at Polling stations. After due deliberations and introspection, pro-elector approach was undertaken where all electors could exercise their voting rights freely and fairly with the help of administrations and all election related officials from all level.

The main concept behind this was to ensure “DUTY WITH 3. Compliance of Basic Minimum Facilities: Each and DIGNITY” where following actions were undertaken every Polling Stations (1950 + 15 [Auxiliary Polling from our office: Stations]) under 09(nine) Assembly Constituencies in our district have been complied with BMFs. 1. Unique Colour Coding at DCRC. 2. Unit Concept at DCRC, Support Staff in Uniform, 4. SAMADHAN: All complains received on online colour coding concept also applied for vehicle complain portal “SAMADHAN” had been disposed tagging for smoother and convenient distribution within due date. and reception of materials by Polling parties. 5. SUGAM: All vehicles which have been requisitioned 3. aPONAR JONNYA- a unique feature where Bed Roll for election use had been routed through “SUGAM” kits containing bed roll, bed sheet, mosquito net, portal and all those vehicles were released after and pillow were given to the Polling Personnel for election through “SUGAM” portal. Vehicle hire their comfort on hire basis and collected at RC. charges and driver khorakhi have been paid by SUGAM generated report. 4. compliance of Basic Minimum Facilities (BMF) at each and every Polling Stations. 6. SUBIDHA: Approval for meeting, procession, rally 5. arrangement of meals and drinks by the SHGs at etc. as applied by all Political Parrties and Individual DCRC for Polling Personnels, Security Personnels Candidates had been done through “SUBIDHA”. and Driver Khalashis. 7. Colour Coding: The first area of inconvenience 6. measures to involve Self Help Groups for providing identified was accessibility to the right place of food arrangements for the Polling parties, security registration/material distribution/vehicle tagging personnel and other election officials at the Polling at the Distribution Centre. In order to mitigate the Stations. confusion and harassment of the polling personnel, it was resolved to introduce colour code to all the The outcome of these initiatives was reflected in the 9(nine) ACs. They are as follows: sense of satisfaction shown by polling personnel at the Reception Centre. Name & No. of Assembly Colour Code Duty with Dignity Constituency 28- Chopra AC Yellow 1. Publication of error free Electoral Roll: No electors, even a single Political Party raised any complain 29-Islampur AC Indigo against the Electoral Roll which was published just 30-Goalpokhar AC Plum before the Elections. 31-Chakuliya AC Salmon 2. Conduct of Peaceful Election: Election had been 32-Karandighi AC Plum conducted in our district peacefully and in free and fair manner. Only about 140 complaints had 33-Hemtabad (SC) AC Salmon been registered on the day of Elections, also during 34-Kaliyaganj (SC)AC Grey Election period we have encountered with about 35-Raiganj AC Indigo 700 complaints only. All complaints had been disposed of at the stipulated time. 36-Itahar AC Yellow

General Elections to 270 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016 Based on above colour code schemes, steps relating to were deployed on election duty and that of their smooth conduct of elections were taken up as follows: respective Home AC.

• Colour Code wise stickers for commissioned EVM: 8. Unit Concept: The concept has been worked Colour Coding was also on the box containing EVMs out in view of the fact that the DCRC at Raiganj had for the convenience of the PP. adequate space. Hence, three major activities of the • AC wise tents at the DCRC were colour coded as may distribution centre i.e. be seen from the pictures below. a. registration, • Colour Coded Counters were prepared for training b. material distribution and cum hand holding of EVMs at DCRC. c. checking of the materials were planned under one tent only for each AC.

Under the Unit System, even the movement of EVM was planned by providing separate carriage way (six feet wide for the Push Cart / ThelaGari) behind the tent space, serving EVMs within each counter from behind and thereby not conflicting with entry space of any of the tents which were lined side by side for the polling personnel. 9. APONAR JONNYA (For You Only): In a major initiative, the constraints faced by the polling personnel were addressed by introducing the • Colour coding was also applied on flexes which were project called APONAR JONNYA ( For You Only) used for decoding the Polling personnel: Colour • APONAR JONNYA (Bed Roll kit for comfort for the coding was done AC wise. Polling Personnel). • Canteen/Hotels at DCRC by the SHGs. • Direct supply to the polling personnel and police personnel by the local SHG at Polling Stations.

10. Involvement of Self Help Group for providing food at the DCRC as well as at Polling Stations (Canteen/Hotels at DCRC by the SHGs): Polling Personnel, as they received material, were provided with a slip containing the name of the SHG, and the dedicated member for the job with her phone number. The PPs were required to get in touch with the SHG member on the slip over the • Civil Defence volunteers were given colour coded phone and place orders for meal, as per their choice, half sleeve jackets to facilitate movement of polling personnel from the DCRC to their respective AC Vehicle. • Vehicles had been parked AC wise, colour coded stickers were pasted on the front of the mirror of the vehicles for convenience of the polling personnel. Even during the disbursement of Khoraki (daily allowances) to the Drivers/Khalasi colour coding was followed in the similar manner. • The Polling Personnel were requested to remember only two colours; namely of the AC where they

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 271 upon reaching the polling station. At the Receiving • Wide appreciation of concern of PPs by the Election Centre, the polling personnel were even offered machinery; nimbu-pani by the SHG members. • Greater involvement and satisfaction of the Outcome electorate; These steps may be small but a giant leaps forward: they • Literally no conflict at DCRC; the movement of PPs did make an impact at the DC and the Polling Stations in were extremely smooth. terms of poll personnel welfare.

Burdwan

One of the most striking innovations in Burdwan District was the application of GPS technology for easy identification of vulnerability and criticality quotient of polling station area. The objective behinds intervention was to identify the polling station area and to take necessary steps in order to ensure free and fair election. The application was officially termed as polling area survey apps (PASA). It consisted of seven layers of information which helped easy identification of polling station along with its area with brief yet very accurate information. This enabled district administration to monitor existing scenario from any place even by using smart phones. Different vernability and criticality Another interesting innovation, first introduced parameters were depicted on a scale with distinct color during the Lok Sabha Elections, 2014 in the district variations. Using this application targeted polling station was the Queue Management and Information and areas were brought under an intense supervision. PASA Dissemination System (QMS). Here a software was so also helped in taking decisions in deployment of force designed that it could store a wide range of information and other deterent non CAPF measures. The places and at polling station levels. By accessing this application routes of Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) were a voter could know how many voters were standing in specifically determined with the use of this application queue at a particular time at a particular polling station. throughout the district. The application was both web based and mobile based.

General Elections to 272 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016 MALDA

In a democratic country, free, fair, fearless and – as problems of different nature are dealt at a single spontaneous participation of its citizen in an election is a level, effect in dealing with them is diminished; big challenge. More so, in a district like Malda which has For a better management of Vulnerability Planning, many inherent challenges from the point of view of law it was felt that areas should be divided and grouped and order. Deeply entrenched criminalization, intense having similar types of problems. Moreover, a database political mobilization, fake currency and communal of vulnerability mitigation plan was prepared at the sensitivity were issues which had to be dealt strongly Polling Station level to develop a Polling Station wise while instilling sense of confidence in voters to vote. mitigation plan. The Plan was thus formulated in the In the end, elections in the district of Malda had been following way: one of the copy-book elections which were free, fair and participative. A. all the Booths and their geographical boundaries were classified into three categories depending Malda has 12 constituencies starting with 43- upon the history and nature of the areas: these Habibpur assembly constituency and ending up with are Criminally Sensitive, Communally sensitive and 54-Baishnabnagar assembly constituency. Surrounded politically sensitive areas. with Bangladesh and the state of Jharkhand, it has borders with Uttar Dinajpur, Dakshin Dinajpur and B. a Polling Station wise vulnerability mitigation plan Murshidabad Districts. The district continues to be was prepared to make it more effective. critically sensitive from law & order point of view for its unique geographical location having its gateway Categorization of Vulnerability Factors position to International Borders and North Corridor of Criminally Sensitive Assemblies Under Malda District: Criminal Activity Zone. Hence, it was necessary to apply decisively strategies for countering the district’s own inherent vulnerabilities.

It has often been observed that precautionary measures are effective in curbing the anti-social elements, the trouble-mongers who are the primary cause of vulnerability. Traditionally, this has a number of normative strands such as • Sector Officers are generally entrusted with the duty of thorough field visit and identifying the causes of vulnerability; • Such factors of vulnerability are reviewed at the level of Returning Officer and District Election Officers; • The root causes are taken into consideration by the election machinery functioning at various levels and necessary preventive actions taken to keep the anti- social elements in bay.

Collective experience, on the other hand, suggested that in the context of the district, this model of vulnerability mitigation strategy is having a low biting force for following reasons: – a single straight jacketed vulnerability mitigation formula at the district level cannot always address Strategies & Action taken issues which present itself at grassroots in • Arrest of Important criminals bewildering variety; • Recovery of Arms & Ammunitions

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 273 • Seizure of FICN and Illicit Liquor • Meeting with all the stake holders • Bound down of known criminals u/s 110 CrPC • Route march by CAPF • Special drives against non bailable warrantees Communally Sensitive Assemblies Under Malda • Block Raids District • Co-ordination meeting with Border districts and BSF • Tracking of criminals in judicial custody • Trial monitoring • Route March by CAPF

Politically Sensitive Assemblies Under Malda District

Strategies and Action Taken • All party meeting at Block level and District level. • Quick redressal of complaints • Suo Moto action in cases of violence • Level playing field for all the parties The hotspots identified • No motorcycle rally without permission through • Baishnavnagar Bazar SUVIDHA • Sujapur • Micro-level elections (like No confidence motion at • Bhagabanpur Gram Panchayat) have been postponed • Khasimari • Route march by CAPF • Mahadipur Polling Station Wise Vulnerabiliyu Mitigation Plan • Mathurapur It has often been found that Vulnerability assessment • Milki was being done at the field level by Sector Officers and • Kaligram after compiling the same at Block/ District Level, the Strategies & Action taken thrust areas were identified.T he policy of mitigation is thus generally made based on this thrust area. This • Police Camps at Nazirpur, Patalchandi, Bhaganbari, centralized planning had earlier been found less effective Chaipara, Mahadipur areas. in dealing with the vulnerability mitigation. Moreover, • Formation of peace committees & Peace meeting in that way the local issues and problems could not be • Visit of the Senior Officers given its due attention. To deal with the situation and to

General Elections to 274 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016 prepare a better mitigation plan, the following were planned: • A Polling Station wise History Sheet containing information related to electoral details, results of earlier elections, the analysis of factors related to that particular booth was prepared. • The information related to route marching by Central Force was collected through this format. It helped in keeping track of confidence building measures of that particular booth. • There was scope of updating the vulnerability information on different date of visit of Sector Officer. This date wise information shows the improvement of reducing vulnerability factors. Vulnerability assessment Name of Assembly Total No. of Total No. of Booths having % of Vulnerable Total No of Vulnerable Constituency Booths vulnerable pockets Booths pockets identified byVM SO 43-Habibpur 242 16 7% 29 44-Gazole 227 49 22% 112 45-Chanchal 228 54 24% 112 46-HCP 209 34 16% 45 47-Malatipur 209 69 33% 84 48-Ratua 242 32 13% 52 49-Manikchak 220 29 13% 61 50-Maldaha 216 15 7% 19 51-Englishbazar 251 34 14% 80 52-Mothabari 166 84 51% 116 53-Sujapur 212 212 100% 397 54-Baishnavnagar 224 61 27% 113

This one page history sheet gave a comprehensive and Mechanism to Mitigate Vulnerablity Factors: effective tool to the Sector Officer and other Election During WBLA-2016, Assembly wise broad action plans Officials to check the progress ofV ulnerability mitigation and Polling Station wise specific interventions were activities. ensured to minimize the Vulnerability factors. The actions were taken broadly taken as follows:-

Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal 275 Criminally Sensitive Area taken to bound down all the trouble mongers. Near 1. area domination by CAPF about 80% trouble mongers were bound down and Warrant/ Suo-moto notices were issued to the rest 2. Binding Down of trouble mongers & execution of of the trouble mongers. NBWs 3. increase enforcement activities by Police, Excise, FS, III. raid of Police was increased at several locations. SST The searching of vehicles at criminally sensitive area by FST accompanied by CAPF also proved very 4. visit of Senior Officers effective. Politically Sensitive Area IV. in Malda district, the problem of FICN was identified 1. People to People Contact as a very potential threat at Kaliachak, Sujapur and 2. area domination by CAPF Baishnabnagar area. Regular co-ordination meeting 3. role of Flying Squad against violation of MCC with the BSF and strict vigilance at the border areas 4. visit of Senior Officers curbed down the FICN infiltration. 5. Developing contact person at vulnerable areas. V. massive drive was given by the Civil and Police Administration to ensure maximum deposition of Licensed Arms. More than 90% Arms were deposited/ seized during this period. VI. strict action was taken in respect of execution of NBWs . Action taken status was as follows : VII. Wireless IP Cameras were installed at the important road crossings for online monitoring all sorts of movements thereat from district headquarter and also the NAKAs at Baishnabnagar, Sujapur, Susthani More, Sadullapur( Englishbazar), Kotawali( Englishbazar), Gazole, Bulbulchandi, Tulsihata More (Harishchandrapur) points. This was very effective to Communally Sensitive Area control the illegal activities in the localities. 1. Formation of peace committee & peace meeting. VIII. Speedy Complaints disposal mechanism was 2. increased SVEEP activity. ensured. 3. route march by CAPF. IX. restrictions were imposed on movement of persons 4. Developing contact person at vulnerable areas. up to end of poll who had the hardcore criminal Moreover, the following specific interventions were records in Kaliachak area. ensured to curb down the vulnerability factors at the X. not a single case of death occurred during entire Polling Stations: electioneering period which was a great challenge I. the list of vulnerable localities and Polling stations to us. were identified by Sector Officers.T otal vulnerable The above interventions were taken up in the run localities in the District was 1314. Policy decision up of the WBLA 2016 election in Malda. It resulted was taken to cover all these vulnerable localities by into a very well managed environment prior to the CAPF route march for more than once to boost up conduct of Election. The vulnerability mitigation the confidence of General Electors. Upto the Poll day, practice starting from village/para to Polling Station to CAPF route march was conducted at 3800 locations. Assembly constituencies to District as a whole helped in Therefore, most of the vulnerable locations were conducting a major law and order problem- free election covered through route march for 3 times. It became where people of the district enjoyed their voting right in an important tool to mitigate the vulnerability and a free, fair and joyful manner. All contesting candidates instill the confidence at these areas. expressed their satisfactions. Not a single court case was II. in course of repeated visit by Sector Officer, 675 filed.E lectioneering in WBLA-2016 at Malda was for the nos of Trouble Mongers were identified. Action was people and by the people.

General Elections to 276 West Bengal Legislative Assembly, 2016 TEAM CEO, WEST BENGAL

Shri Sunil Kumar Gupta, IAS

Shri Surendra Gupta, IAS Shri Dibyendu Sarkar, IAS Shri Saibal Barman, IAS

Shri Jaydip Mukhopadhyay Shri Amit Roy Choudhury Shri Amitabha Sengupta Smt Anamika Majumdar WBCS (Exe) WBCS (Exe) WBCS (Exe) WBCS (Exe)

Shri Amitjyoti Bhattacharji Shri Saikat Das Shri Anjan Ghosh WBCS (Exe) WBCS (Exe) WBCS (Exe) Notification of Due Constitution of the West Bengal Lagislative Assembly, 2016