1. 1, Voter SMS- an m-governance initiative 2, Regaining the confidence of electors in troubled times : 2009 Kannur by-election experience Dr. P B Salim IAS District Election Officer Kozhikode, Kerala

2. Kozhikode District - Kerala District Profile Area (sq.km) : 2344 Population (2001 census) : 28,79,131 Literacy rate : 92.24 % Density of population : 1,228 Assembly Constituencies : 13 Parliamentary Constituencies: 2 Taluks : 3 Villages : 117 Panchayats : 78

3.  Voter SMS – an m-governance initiative

4.  Ever increasing mobile penetration in India  Powerful tool in the delivery of public services  Easiest and quickest form of governance  Transparency  Accountability  Instant access to services and information while on the move.  A medium for empowering the citizen Why M-Governance ?

5. Democracy – Electoral rolls  Strength of Democracy : - right to vote and - enabling exercise of franchise by all eligible citizens - name should be there in the electoral roll  Electoral rolls : - epicenter of all election related activities - voter sms – an innovative way of managing the electoral roll

6. Dissemination of information  Prime duty of Election Managers : - dissemination of information in a prompt; efficient and transparent way  Present system of information dissemination  Apathy of the new generation towards election process

7. Voter SMS An m-governance initiative by District Administration, Kozhikode to provide the crucial electoral roll information to the citizens in a hassle free manner

8. Voter SMS

9. Voter SMS - Features  Voter can check his/her name in the voters list just by sending an SMS  Will provide the Constituency, booth and serial number and/or the EPIC card no of the voter  Service is available round the clock  Done away with the need for physical presence

10. Voter SMS – Format:1 Input FormatOutput Format vote EPIC Number Eg : vote CCZ2876219 SMS to 9446460600 Voter’s name + Constituency Name + Booth name+ Sl. No. Eg: Shameena – Cnstcy: Vatakara, Pol booth: Govt.MJB school Azhiyur, S.No:3 OR Sorry….Your Name is not available in the voter’s list

11. Voter SMS – Format:2 Input FormatOutput Format vote Panchayat name Voter’s Name Relation Name Eg : vote azhiyur Roshna Balan SMS to 9446460600 If only one record, EPIC Number + Constituency Name + Booth name + S.No. Eg: CCZ56478 – Cnstcy: Vatakara, Pol booth: Govt.MJB school Azhiyur, S.No:3 If more records, EPIC Number + House name Eg: CCZ56478 Alakkal House CCZ87453 Rose Villa OR Sorry….Your Name is not available in the voter’s list

12. Advantages  Mutually beneficial – to both general public and also election managers  Improves the overall quality and credibility of election process  In tandem with changing times

13. Voter SMS - requirements Very simple – Total cost just Rs 50,000  Server/ PC  Linux OS  SMS set up Software  Modem  SIM  Application software

14.  2, Regaining the confidence of electors in troubled times : 2009, kannur bye election experience

15. Kannur by- election Issues  Allegation and counter allegation over new ‘voters’ migrated from the neighboring constituencies  Massive irregularities in electoral roll  Alleged forgery of residency certificates to secure enrolment, in thousands Kannur bye election

16. Continuous updation In few wks time -  - 12,631 for inclusion  - 8549 for deletion  7987 admitted  6380 rejected - pressure on the machinery

17. The controversy  Demand for re-doing the entire electoral roll  DEO replaced in just 14 days before poll  Media frenzy  Irregularities in voters list

18. Kannur by- election Fake residence certificates

19. Challenges  To regain the credibility of election process in the district- by regaining the confidence of the electors  No fake voters to be allowed to vote, while all genuine electors to have a chance to cast their vote freely

20. Measures taken – pre poll  House to house verification of all cases of inclusion and deletion  Preparing PS wise list of apparent cases of fake (ASD) electors  Strict enforcement of model code of conduct  Outside party workers and leaders to leave the constituency 48 hrs before election time

21. Measures on day of Poll  100% scrutiny of electors identity at entry point of premises  Scan and videograph activities inside polling premises  Photography of every elector inside the booth  Fingerprinting of every elector inside the booth  Micro-observers to supervise  100% security arrangements

22. Lessons learnt  Continuous updation - usual mistakes and it’s effect  Impact of deterrence measures  Regaining the confidence

23. Thank you Dr P B Salim, IAS District Election Officer, Kozhikode, kerala E-mail : pbsalim@gmail.com