Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation

Voter turnout of 71.8 % ( 2014 ) Previous Elections : 50.7% ( 2009 ) Phenomenal increase in turnout in Chitrakonda constituency i.e. 69% in 2014 Election Statistics

Total Polling percentage

Election Turnout as per Gender

Election Turnout as per constituency

Postal Ballot Issued: 2009 : :900

Violence during the last elections Left Wing Extremism During December, Maoists have blown up Podia Block office which has created an atmosphere of fear Inaccessible Villages Cut off areas on the other side of the Chitrakonda reservoir in Kudumulagumma Block accessible only by boat. Challenges faced by the district administration:

Strategy meeting at district level Mass campaign through rallies, media, civil society organizations, self-help groups, etc. Special focus through mike announcements, bulk SMS’ etc Special focus on sensitive areas through posters, flexi banners and street plays at strategic locations Strategy

Timely distribution of Voter slips and oral intimation by Booth Level Officers Specially designed slogans capturing the attention of the Voters Elaborate Security Measures Shifting of problematic booths by taking into confidence all the contestants etc Postal Ballots to Polling Staff and personnel

3.5 lakhs Voter slips were distributed Reading out the contents in the Voters’ slip Presence of BLOs near the polling booths. Timely distribution of Voter slips

Specially designed slogans capturing the attention of the Voters: Catchy messages were identified in local language to spread awareness through various means like posters, banners, mike announcements etc. Aj AÒc Ac jè`ïLÊ jÐLÐeþ LeÞþaÐ, Aj AÒc ÒbþÐV Ò]aÐ ¼¼Ð Come, Together lets achieve our dreams, come lets vote. mþÐbþ (c], V*¼Ð) Òd _ Ò_aÞ _ÞS jèÐ\à `ÐBÜ, ÒbþÐV Ò]aÞ D`dÊ¦Æ `õÐ\àÑ `ÐBÜ ¼¼Ð I never take profit (Wine, Money) for myself, I will vote for proper candidate. ÒcÐ `ÐMÒeþ bþmþ Ò_[Ð aÐRÞaÐ `ÐBÜ ¼Ð I have the power to choose a good leader. A`Z*¼ ÒbþÐV A`Z*¼ h¦ÞÆ ¼¼Ð Your vote is your voice.

AÒc Oeþ NYÞÒR, aràþcÐ_, jeþLÐeþ NYÞaÐ … AÒc ÒbþÐV Ò]aÐ ¼¼Ð We built house, now we build Government …… Let’s vote. 18eÊþ a¯Æj, ÒbþÐV Ò]aÐ [Ðeþ ¼¼Ð Whoever crossed 18 years, casting of vote is a Fundamental Right. ÒbþÐV ]Ð_Òeþ akÊþf ÒdÐN]Ð_, NZ[§ÆLÊ LeÞþa afѯÆÐ_ ¼¼Ð Greater participation for stronger democracy. NZ[§ÆÆ ]eþLÐeþ ¼¼Ð Franchise is our right, essential for democracy

Security Measures: Sanitization of sensitive booths Regular combing operations Shifting of Extremely Sensitive booths Advance Planning to bring confidence in Vehicle Owners to spare the vehicles

Postal Ballots to Polling Staff and personnel: Postal Ballot facilitation counters Issue of 900 postal ballots. Nodal officer at ADM level was appointed Letters by DEO to all the departments and offices to spread awareness

Conclusion: Meticulous planning ensured record voter turnout of 71.8 % in the district which is way higher by 21 percentage points from No loss of life. The entire team of officers, staff, and forces are squarely responsible for such an outstanding achievement.

Thank You.