Telangana Election Preparedness Review by Commission

The Election Commission of India led by Chief Election Commissioner O P Rawat along with Election Commissioners Sunil Arora and Ashok Lavasa held meetings at Hyderabad to review poll preparedness for the forthcoming Assembly Elections in Telangana. During the 2-day visit, the Commission met representatives of various political parties to understand their issues and concerns. The Commission reviewed the works of DEOs and SPs of all the districts as also held detailed interaction with Chief Secretary, DGP, Home Secretary and other senior Officials of the State. The Commission also discussed strategy with various Enforcement agencies such as Income-tax, State Excise, Narcotics Control Bureau and also representatives of Banks.

Highlights of Issues raised by Political Parties included discussions about the following points:

• Electoral Roll :-

1. One political party emphasized the need of clean ER for elections.
2. Parties demanded that Photo Voter Slips be distributed to Voters on time so that there is no scope of confusion in the mind of voters. Some parties demanded that Voters Education programme be strengthened to increase voter turnout in urban areas.
3. Commission’s attention was drawn to the fact about distance of Polling Booths from hamlets beyond 2 kilometer norm. Representatives requested to make arrangements of ambulances and drinking water to facilitate the voters.
4. They also requested to remove look-alike election symbols from ‘free symbol list’, which has already been allotted to a State party.

• Model Code of Conduct

1. Political parties demanded strict implementation of MCC in the state and demanded equal treatment for all parties on MCC related issues.
2. Some parties complained about partisan attitude of local officials and requested the Commission to take action against those responsible for any partisan action. Some parties also complained about partisan behavior by police against opponent political functionaries and complained that false cases are being framed against them.
3. One party complained about not getting the reply on its complaints.
4. Some parties complained that some nomination were rejected or not accepted by ROs citing various reasons, which are against the EC guidelines. One party complained that its nominee in one constituency was pressurized to withdraw his nomination.
5. Some parties complained about meetings based on religion and caste and also brought Commission’s attention on instances of making appeals based on caste.
6. Some political party complained that in order to influence the election, a Government Order was issued and then kept in abeyance for implementation after election is over.
7. It was alleged that telephones of political people are being tapped. (Meanwhile DGP has confirmed in writing to CEO that no phone tapping of any political party leader is being done)
8. Also that SHE team created by state government is indulged in canvassing in favor of ruling party.
9. No person/political activist should be harassed for distributing pamphlets etc.
10. One party requested that Programme of ministers be made available to CEO.
11. Complained about announcement by a minister on saree distribution

schedule.

( C) Expenditure monitoring

1. Political Parties complained about distribution of money and liquor and demanded to take effective action by stepping up the vigil and checking. One party demanded a complete ban on liquor during election process. One party also alleged that professional companies have been hired to manage the distribution.
2. One party complained that some political party candidates are spending much more than expenditure limit prescribed by EC and these influential candidates are also trying to pressurized/ allure its candidates to withdraw their nomination.
3. Complained about distribution of bond paper by a candidate and distribution of money by police in some areas.
4. Some political parties suggested installation of CCTV at sensitive locations.
5. Some parties complained about high rates of various articles in Hyderabad and raised the issue related to difference of advertisement rates between DIPR and DAVP.

(D)Single Window System

Some political parties complained about difficulty faced in Suvidha permission system.

(E) Law and Order

1. One political party expressed apprehension of violence during election and requested to take effective preventive action.

(F) Media

1. Some political parties complained about prejudiced treatment by media in coverage of their candidates/political parties. One political party alleged that money, mafia and media are being used to adversely affect democratic process.
2. Parties complained that some TV and newspapers indulge in paid news practice and demanded that newspapers/channels owned by political parties/candidates indulging in furthering the prospects of their party, be treated as paid news and even demanded to ban party owned papers/channels. They also complained that some political party owned News Channels and newspapers are indulging in maligning the opponents and requested to take appropriate action.
3. It was pointed out that Advertisements issued by Andhra Pradesh government are being seen in Telangana and affecting election process.
4. Raised issues related to social media related posts.

Commission’s directions

1. Commission took note of the concerns and suggestions of the political parties and assured them that the Commission will put in place an effective mechanism to ensure smooth conduct of entire poll process in a free, fair, and inclusive manner.

2. The Commission directed the State Election Machinery to ensure effective monitoring & vigilance at all levels to address the concern of the political parties and instill confidence in the electorate to exercise their franchise. Commission further directed that entire electoral process must be conducted in a free and fair manner and steps must be taken to ensure that every elector is able to exercise his/her franchise without any threat, intimidation or inducement.

3. Commission directed to ensure strict compliance of Model Code of Conduct and impartial action must be taken on every complaint received in this regard.

4. Commission directed to ensure that permission be granted through Suvidha in a smooth, equitable and time bound manner.

5. MCMC Committees must be on high alert and take effective action against on paid news cases. Commission further directed that as per existing instructions, channels owned by political parties and candidates must also be subjected to this mechanism.

Highlights

1. Accessibility observers have been appointed for the first time in the State Assembly Elections. The Commission has also deployed General, Expenditure and police observers and micro observers in the state.
2. Commission directed to establish all women managed Polling Booths, which will be managed by women staff including security officials
3. As per the directions of Supreme Court, the Commission has already issued modified format of affidavit to be filed by candidates and political parties about their criminal antecedents and also issued Q & A. Criminal antecedents need to be publicized in the specified formats on at least three occasions in newspapers and TV.
4. In order to keep a close watch on the violation of Model Code of Conduct and other violations in the State Assembly Elections, Election Commission has launched cVIGIL app, which will be effective from the date of notification. Through this app, any citizen will be able to file complaints regarding election code of conduct and it will be resolved in a time-bound manner.
5. EVM with VVPATs will be used in all the polling stations of 119 Assembly Constituencies for the first time in the State.

Assembly Constituencies– Total 119 Assembly Constituencies.

Commission is aware of 38 Assembly Constituencies, which share its territories with more than one district. For smooth conduct of elections in these ACs, Commission has directed to put full-proof mechanism with well-defined SOP for deployment of sector officers, police officers and EVM/VVPAT materials.

ELECTORAL ROLLS:Electors as per final ER

1. Commission directed to ensure that Postal ballot system be streamlined.
2. ETPBS(Electronically Transmitted Postal Ballot System): All constituencies (119 constituencies) in the State will be covered by ETPBS to Service Voters. Number of service voters was 7057 in 2014 and it is increased to 10,038 now.

POLLING STATIONS:

1. Total of 32,796 Polling Stations at 24038 polling locatio
2. Status of Assured Minimum Facilities of these Polling Stations is as follows:

LAW AND ORDER: SECURITY MANAGEMENT

1. Commission reviewed the Law and Order and directed the State Administration and police to take further steps to tone up the security and law and order environment and intensified preventive steps including execution of NBWs and bounding down of trouble mongers.
2. Surprise inspection of jails be conducted.
3. Commission directed that effective monitoring be done through web-casting/Micro observers/Videography in all sensitive polling Stations to ensure free and fair elections.

EXPENDITURE MONITORING

1. Commission directed to undertake very effective measures to prevent money/token and gifts distribution and check the distribution of liquor and drug during election process.
2. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY INITIATIVES:

Information Technology based applications SAMADHAN (Public Grievance Redressal and Monitoring System),SUVIDHA (Single Window Permission System) and SUGAM (Vehicle Management System) are being used during elections for improved facilitation of the various stakeholders like electors, election managers, political parties and candidates.

FACILITATION

1. Voter assistance booth will be set up at all polling Stations. Photo voter slips (PVS)with voters’ guide will be distributed well before poll day.
2. Commission has directed that all the necessary arrangements for facilitation of political parties/candidatesand convenience of voters must be done.

ACCESSIBLE ELECTION :

A data base of PwD voters has been created and enrolled and mapped with PS and PwDs have been identified for providing special assistance.

1. CEO has informed that State Government has procured 2000 wheelchairs for use during the election and has also directed Panchayats and Urban Local Bodies to procure wheelchairs as per requirements using their EMF.

SVEEP:

1. Various messages being communicated in SVEEP campaigns are aimed at spreading awareness on VVPAT, importance of registration, importance of voting, importance given to PwDs etc.

The Commission reiterated its commitment to maintain purity of elections and to deliver free, fair and transparent elections. The Commission has directed the State level and District Level Election Machinery to be fearless, unbiased, neutral and independent from any influence whatsoever. The Commission solicits proactive support of all political parties, media organisations, civil societies, youth and community organisations and all voters of Telangana to join hands with the Commission and wholeheartedly participate in poll process.