VOTERS EDUCATION AND AWARENESS : NEW WAYS & ALLIANCES

India is the biggest democracy in the world and

with the steps and initiatives taken by the Election Commission of India there
have been tremendous improvement towards free and fair elections. Voters,
being the most important component responsible for success of democracy,
exercises their right to choose and elect right candidate. But inspite of all these,
it is observed that candidates with criminal background are elected. Lack of
proper education and awareness in the general mass can be termed as the main
factor behind it.
The Election Commission of India has taken
many steps to create awareness and educate the Voters about their right to
choose the right candidate to represent them in various houses. But still a lot
has to be done as we have not been able to make the voters perfect for the
purpose. Money and muscle power, caste and community etc. still play a major
role in deciding the results of various elections.
70 % electors of India are residing in Rural Areas.
Most of those voters are illiterate/ semi literate and unaware about Right to Vote.
They have no basic knowledge about Electoral process when elections are held to the
State/UT Legislative Assemblies or Parliament.. Mainly they are guided by the local
sentiments and demands, caste and community factors and money and muscle power.
Voters of rural areas, in particular and voters of our
Country, in general are required to be educated by imparting basic training on
Electoral process to be conducted village-wise or Polling station-wise at least two or
three months prior to the day of Poll. Such basic training shall create voters
awareness about Electoral Process, Model Code of Conduct, Electoral Offences, etc.
Voters awareness campaign through AIR/Door Darshan/Print Media does not reach
rural areas where there is no such facility. Even Voters dont know about Negative
Voting though they dont have right candidates to be elected as their representative.
Such electors need to be enlightened about Negative Voting Right by imparting basic
training on electoral matters only.
There are also many electors who are poor labourers,
most vulnerable/ sensitive voters. Those voters are managed by Political Parties with
using money and muscle powers at the last hours. Such Voters are required to be
provided with proper training on electoral process. Besides this, adequate security
may be provided to exercise their right to choose and elect right candidate without
any fear and hesitation.
The introduction of basic training on Electoral Process
shall create voters awareness to choose the best Political party or Candidate(s) on the
basis of ideology, manifesto, integrity, etc. If all voters are trained or made aware,
they can elect their representatives who best suits to them.

Some registered voters do not turn up to exercise their

Adult Franchise on the day of Poll. This happens due to lack of knowledge on
electoral matters but some electors do it intentionally may be awarded exemplary
punishment under appropriate section of Law or by new legislation.
The basic training on electoral process should cover
the rights and duties of voters, free and fair election process etc.
As far as mode of training is concerned Audio Visual
material should be provided by Election Commission of India. In addition in each
Assembly Constituency number of cultural teams to display street plays for creation
of awareness among the rural masses.
Further, it should be made mandatory to have a
discussion on electoral process in the meeting of Gram Sabhas. The election related
officers/ officials may attend the meetings. Help and assistance of NGOs can also be
taken for the purpose. They may organize meetings wherein the matter may be
discussed thoroughly. Participation of Women in such trainings should also be
ensured.
During election campaign, common meetings at one
plate-form by various candidates may be encouraged. With this, speeches of leaders
on communal line and distribution of money can be checked upto a great extent.
Since a person of 18 years attains the right to Vote, it
is seen that students reading in Class XII and above are general voters. If education on
electoral process is imparted to such students, it will be useful for them.
While Summing up I propose the above for better
awareness and education of voters.
(R. K. SHARMA)
District Election Officer,
Lohit District, Tezu

ARUNACHAL PRADESH
OFFICE OF THE DISTRICT ELECTION OFFICER
LOHIT DISTRICT : TEZU
No. ELNLA-4/2009/

Dtd. Tezu, the 21st May, 2010.

To
1. Shri Vinod Zutshi, Deputy Election Commissioner,
Election Commission of India, Nirvachan Sadan,
Ashoka Road, New Delhi.
2. Shri K. Ajay Kumar, Secretary,
Election Commission of India, Nirvachan Sadan,
Ashoka Road, New Delhi.
Sub :-

Submission of presentation paper on Voters Education and Awareness:

New Ways & Alliances.

Sir,
While referring to CEO, Itanagar letter No. EN/OP(CE)-32/2010 Dated
19 May, 2010 on the subject mentioned above, I am submitting herewith a copy of
presentation paper on Voters Education and Awareness: New Ways & Alliances and
Power Point Presentation to be presented during organizing Symposium on Sharing
Best Electoral Practices at Guwahati on 3 rd June, 2010 for favour of your kind
information and necessary action please. The presentation may kindly be included in
programme if found suitable.
th

Yours faithfully,
Enclo :-

As stated above.
( R. K. Sharma )
District Election Officer,
Lohit District, Tezu.

Memo No. ELNLA-4/2009/

Dtd. Tezu, the 21st May, 2010.

Copy to :1. The Chief Electoral Officer, Arunachal Pradesh, Itanagar for
information please. A copy of presentation is also enclosed
herewith.
2. Office copy.
( R. K. Sharma )
District Election Officer,
Lohit District, Tezu.