SVEEP Comprehensive Action Plan 2014

Transcription

1 SVEEP Comprehensive Action Plan 2014 For Enhanced Electoral Participation in General Elections to State Legislative Assembly-2014 Chief Electoral Officer, MAHARASHTRA GREATER PARTICIPATION FOR A STRONGER DEMOCRACY

2 1 INDEX Sr. No Topic Page No. A. Objectives 2 B. Situation Analysis 3 B1. Electoral Profile B1.1. Socio-Cultural Profile of Maharashtra B1.2. Electoral Profile of Maharashtra B2. Identification of Gaps 8 B 2.1. Category wise B 2.2. District wise B 2.3. Polling Station wise B3. Analyzing Gaps 14 B 3.1. Analyzing underlying reasons for the gaps B 3.2. Survey finding reasons for non-participation C. Building Strategy 18 C1. Common Strategy C1.1. Information and Motivation C1.2. Facilitation C2. Targeted Approach C2.1. Information and Motivation C2.2. Facilitation D. Implementation 22 D1. Team formation at District and State Headquarters D2. Training and Capacity Building of SVEEP Teams D3. Building Partnerships D4. Resource Mobilization D5. Media and Communication Plan D5.1. Overall approach D5.2. Targeted Approach D5.3. Content Development D5.4. Summary of Media Insertions for proposed target audience D6. Physical Events and Activities D6.1. Overall Approach D6.2. Targeted Approach D6.3. Sankalp Patras/Pledge Letters/Innovations D6.4. Summary of proposed events/activities D7. Voter Facilitation D7.1. Voter Facilitation Centres D7.2. Helpline Numbers/Name Search/Polling Booth Search D7.3. PS specific facilitation initiatives planned D7.4. Other target specific facilitation measure planned D7.5. Voter Slip E. Monitoring Mechanism 30 F. Evaluation and Documentation 30 G. Calendar 31 Outcomes Of The Objectives Set In The SVEEP Plan Of GE Charts and Graphs 35

3 2 A. OBJECTIVES 100% EPIC AND PER coverage by the end of Special Summary Revision of PER with as the Qualifying Date following 'Continuous Updation' Elector- Population Ratio to be 100% by National Voters' Day-2015 Targeted Approach for encountering gap in youth enrolment specifically those in the age group of and 20 to 29 years and to motivate youth for larger turnout. To remove gender gap with Special Focus on Women Electors in areas of adverse Gender Ratio of PER. To enrol maximum number of Third Genders with the help of NGOs/CSOs dealing with transgender rights. Inclusion of excluded groups/communities in electoral registration and motivating these special target groups for a larger turnout. To remove urban apathy with the active participation of NGOs/CSOs and media. Maximum communication efforts through post/media to include all eligible voters in the electoral rolls. 'Increase in Voter Turnout' as compared to last Lok Sabha General Elections Promoting Ethical and Informed Voting.

4 3 B. SITUATION ANALYSIS B1. Electoral Profile B1.1. Socio-Cultural Profile of Maharashtra Maharashtra occupies the western and central part of the country and has a long coastline stretching nearly 720 km along the Arabian Sea. The Sahyadri mountain ranges provide a physical backbone to the State on the west, while the Satpuda hills along the north and Bhamragad-Chiroli Gaikhuri ranges on the east serve as its natural borders. The State is surrounded by Gujarat to the North West, Madhya Pradesh to the North, Chhattisgarh to the East, Andhra Pradesh to the South East and Karnataka to the South and Goa to the South West. The State enjoys a tropical monsoon climate. Maharashtra is the second largest state in India both in terms of population and geographical area (3.08 lakh sq. km). It has a population of crore (Census 2011) which is 9.3 per cent of the total population of India and is highly urbanised with 45.2 per cent people residing in urban areas. The State has 36 districts which are divided into six revenue divisions viz. Konkan, Pune, Nashik, Aurangabad, Amravati and Nagpur for administrative purposes, with effective machinery for planning at the district level. For local self-governance in rural areas, there are 33 Zilla Parishads, 351 Panchayat Samitis and 27,873 Gram Panchayats. The urban areas are governed through 26 Municipal Corporations, 220 Municipal Councils, 12 Nagar Panchayats and seven Cantonment Boards. Mumbai, the capital of Maharashtra and the financial capital of India, houses the headquarters of most of the major corporate & financial institutions. Monuments such as Ajanta, Ellora and Elephanta caves, Gateway of India and architectural structures like Viharas and Chaityas attract tourists from all over the world. The State has sizable contribution in sports, arts, literature and social services. The world famous film industry, popularly known as Bollywood is located in the State. 1. Maharashtra- Demographic Statistics: Particulars Census 2011 Projected 2014 Population 11,23,72,972 11,59,67,561 Male 5,83,61,397 6,02,05,058 Female 5,40,11,575 5,57,62,503 Gender ratio Density / sq.km Growth Rate Urban Population 45.2 % 45.2 % Rural Population 54.8 % 54.8 %

5 4 2. Maharashtra Administrative Set up Number of Revenue Divisions 6 Number of Districts 36 Number of Sub Divisions 182 Number of Tehsils 459 Number of Villages Number of Zilla Parishads 33 Number of Municipal Corporations 26 Number of Panchayat Samit 351 Number of Municipal Councils 220 Number of Nagar Panchayats 11 Number of Village Panchayats B1.2. Electoral Profile of Maharashtra 1. Maharashtra Electoral Setup Number of Districts 36 Number of Parliamentary Constituencies 48 Number of Assembly Constituencies 288 Number of seats of Council of States 19 Number of Seats of State Legislative Councils 78 Number of Polling Stations Number of Polling Station Locations Number of Seats in the Lok Sabha and Assembly Type of Constituency General SC ST Total [ House of the People Legislative Assembly

6 5 3.. State Elector Data Sr. No. Particulars Male Female Other Total 1 Electors in Draft Roll No. of Electors Added During Summary Revision 3 Percentage of additions over Draft Roll 4 No. of Electors Deleted During Summary Revision 5 Percentage of Deletions over Draft Roll 6 No. of Electors in Finally Published Rolls for No. of Electors added after Finally Publication 8 Percentage of additions over Final Roll 9 No. of Electors Deleted after Finally Publication 10 Percentage of Deletions over Final Roll 11 No. of Electors in Rolls for GE No. of Electors added during SSR No. of Electors deleted during SSR Electors in the finally published roll of 31 st July, % 5.47% % 5.31% % 1.75% % % % %

7 6 4. Comparative Electoral Roll Statistics Particulars Lok Sabha 2004 Lok 2009 Sabha Roll as on 31/01/2014 Roll as on 31/07/2014 Total Electors 6,30,12,208 7,28, ,89,66, Male Electors 3,27,88,476 3,81,33,455 4,18,41, Female Electors 3,02,23,732 3,47,06,790 3,71,24, Other Electors E.P. Ratio 66.31% 67.11% 70.19% Electors to 18+ Population Ratio 96.32% 98.34% % Gender Ratio Electors with 4,53,03,172 7,13,26, photos in PER (62.20%) (90.33%) (91.30%) Total Number of 4, 99, 26,468 7,23,30, EPICs (68.54%) (91.60%) (92.40%)

8 7 5. State Age-Cohort Wise Elector Information Total State Population in numbers (Projected Upto the year of current revision) State Population of 18+ only (in numbers projected to year of current revision) Age Cohort Projected Census Population in age cohort (Projected upto the year of current revision) %age to total Population Electors as per currently revised final electoral roll 2014 %age to total population %age to 18+ population State Total

9 8 B2. Identification of Gaps B2.1. Category-wise: Data as on Total Actual % Gap (%) Electoral-Population Ratio (Population) (Electors) PER EPIC Gender Ratio (Census) 932 (Roll) Youth Voters (18-19 age group) Voting in LS ,717,283 48,718, % B2.2. District/AC-wise: 1. District Wise Age Cohort N o. District Age Age Age Age Age Age Age Age Age Age Total Electors 1 Nandurabar Dhule Jalgaon Buldhana Akola Washim Amaravati Wardha Nagpur Bhandara Gondiya Gadchiroli Chandrapur Yavatmal Nanded Hingoli Parbhani Jalna Aurangabad Nashik Thane Mumbai Suburban Mumbai City Raigad Pune Ahmednagar Beed Latur Osmanabad Solapur Satara Ratnagiri Sindhudurg Kolhapur Sangli State Total

10 9 Note: One New district ie. Palghar has been created vide GR dated for which figures are yet to be compiled. Total number of districts in Maharashtra is now 36. Assembly Constituency Wise: 2A. ACs with the highest EP Ratio 2B. ACs with the lowest EP Ratio Sr. No No. and Name of Assembly Constituency EP Ratio Malabar Hill Shivadi Chinchwad Khadakwasala Magathane Dahisar Borivali Charkop Panvel Satara Hadapsar Goregaon Versova Ratnagiri Wardha Nagpur East Nanded North Worli Andheri West Chandrapur (SC) Sr. No No. and Name of Assembly Constituency EP Ratio Palghar (ST) Boisar (ST) Shahapur (ST) Bhiwandi Rural (ST) Bhiwandi West Dahanu (ST) Vikramgad (ST) Junnar Bhiwandi East Daund Maval Deolali (SC) Indapur Malegaon Central Paithan Igatpuri (ST) Dindori (ST) Khed Alandi Shirur Chandvad State's EP Ratio (%) State's EP Ratio (%)

11 10 3A. ACs with the Highest Gender Ratio on the rolls 3B.ACs with the Lowest Gender Ratio on the rolls Sr. No No. and Name of Assembly Constituency Gender Ratio on the rolls Rajapur Guhagar Dapoli Kankavli Chiplun Shrivardhan Ratnagiri Kudal Nawapur (ST) Gondiya Kasba Peth Tirora Mahad Alibag Amgaon (ST) Sawantwadi Chandgad Akkalkuwa (ST) Satara Kolhapur North 977 Sr. No No. and Name of Assembly Constituency Gender Ratio on the rolls Bhiwandi East Bhiwandi West Mankhurd 688 Shivaji Nagar Chandivali Colaba Dindoshi Dharavi (SC) Airoli Sion Koliwada Kurla (SC) Worli Magathane Kandivali East Mumbadevi Bhandup West Ghatkopar West Goregaon Kalina Ulhasnagar Bhosari State's Gender Ratio (Rolls) State's Gender Ratio (Rolls)

12 11 4A. ACs with Highest PER % 4B. ACs with Lowest PER % Sr. No No. and Name of AC PER% Chopda (ST) Radhanagari Shrirampur (SC) Baramati Sillod Kagal Kopargaon Junnar Shahuwadi Khed Alandi Ausa Ambegaon Palus-Kadegaon Chandgad Ichalkaranji Akole (ST) Shevgaon Shirdi Niphad Maval Sr. No No. and Name of AC PER% Ulhasnagar Dombivali Kalyan West Kalyan East Versova Kalyan Rural Belapur Mankhurd Shivaji Nagar Airoli Chandivali Pimpri (S-C-) Andheri West Anushakti Nagar Ambernath (SC) Mumbra- Kalwa Ovala- Majiwada Kurla (SC) Vandre East Ulhasnagar Dombivali State's PER and EPIC (%) PER% EPIC %

13 12 5A. ACs with Highest EPIC % 5B. ACs with Lowest EPIC % Sr. No No. and Name of AC EPIC% Sr. No No. and Name of AC EPIC% Chopda (ST) Ulhasnagar Radhanagari Dombivali Shrirampur (SC) Kalyan West Baramati Kalyan East Sillod Kalyan Rural Junnar Belapur Kagal Airoli Kopargaon Versova Shahuwadi Pimpri (S-C-) Khed Alandi Mankhurd Shivaji Nagar Ausa Ovala Majiwada Ambegaon Mumbra Kalwa Palus-Kadegaon Bhiwandi East Chandgad Ambernath (SC) Ichalkaranji Kopri Pachpakhadi Shevgaon Chandivali Akole (ST) Bhiwandi West Niphad Nalasopara Shirdi Anushakti Nagar Karvir Andheri West

14 13 5A. ACs with the highest and lowest voters turnout in Assembly Elections 2009 HIGHEST LOWEST Sr. No No and Name of PC Voters' Turnout Sr. No No and Name of PC Voters' Turnout Igatpuri ST Karveer Kagal Shahuwadi Loha Palus Kadegaon Chandgad Shirala Ghansawangi Newasa Indapur Kopargaon Navapur (S.T.) Gorai Radhanagari Islampur Basmath Shevgaon Arjuni Morgaon Shirol Colaba Pune Cantonment Mumbadevi Ulhasnagar Ambarnath (S.C.) Dharavi (S.T.) Jalgaon City Versova Bhiwandi East Sion Koliwada Mankhurd Shivaji 171 Nagar Andheri West Pimpri Kurla (S.C.) Malad West Byculla Shivaji Nagar Vandre West Chandivali Dombivali PCs with the highest and lowest voters turnout in General Elections 2014 HIGHEST LOWEST Sr. No and Name of PC Voters' Sr. No and Name of PC No Turnout No Hatkanangle 72.91% Bhandara - gondiya 72.28% Kolhapur 71.68% Gadchiroli-Chimur 69.88% Beed 68.74% Nandurbar 66.76% Hingoli 66.27% Jalna 66.14% Ratnagiri - sindhudurg 65.55% Wardha 64.78% Voters' Turnout Kalyan 42.88% Mumbai North central 48.61% Mumbai North West 50.44% Thane 50.84% Bhiwandi 51.61% Mumbai North East 51.65% Mumbai South 52.54% Mumbai North 53.06% Mumbai South central 53.12% Pune 54.10%

15 14 B3. Analyzing the Gaps Excluded Communities/G roups Low Turnout Age Cohort (Esp. Youth) Key Issues EP Ratio Gender Ratio PER/EPIC B3.1. Analysing the reasons of the gaps: Sr. No Gap Reasons 1. AGE COHORT (Youth Enrolment Gap) The State s age cohort analysis reveals an alarming task of enrolling maximum number of eligible youth voters (Esp. Age group 18-19) as there is a 61.68% gap in the cohort when compared with of the total projected census population in this age cohort. Despite of having opened various platforms and channels to facilitate enrolment of eligible (young) voters, the only reason that surfaces for this gap is either lack of awareness of accessibility of facilitation or lack of motivation to enrol at the earliest. However, in the age group of years which, the gap is minor, ie. 2.63%. On the contrary, the cohort of age group of 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, and are more than 100%, which reveals a huge task of identifying duplications and eliminating the names of dead/duplicate electors.

16 15 2. Gender Ratio As per the Census 2011, the Sex Ratio of Maharashtra is 925 whereas; the gender ratio as per the latest electoral rolls is 893. The underlying gap of 32 points between the census and the electoral roll embarks upon the DEOs, a serious task to enrol the maximum possible eligible women voters. Analysing the ACs with lowest gender ratio of the rolls, it is found that women voters of mostly urban ACs are not enrolled while the gap in case of rural women voters is not quite high. The main reasons for this gap is lack of sufficient number of documents due to marital reasons, lack of awareness and motivation to enrol and also socio-cultural barriers hinder the process of enrolment of women voters. 3. EP Ratio The gap analysis of EP Ratio of most of the districts depicts duplications and discrepancies. The analysis of the ACs with least EP Ratio reveals that mostly SC/ST ACs show the maximum gap in the EP Ratio. An intensive task is to be undertaken by strictly following the legal provisions so as to clean repeated, shifted, dead and duplicate voters. However, it is observed that due to good amount of publicity and outreach activities, the voters are now proactively filling up forms to delete/modify their names wherever required. 4. PER/EPIC % The State s EPIC coverage is 92.40% & PER coverage is 91.30%. An analysis of the ACs with least percentage of EPIC and PER reveals that the issue is largely due to Metropolitan Cities & Urban Agglomerations of Mumbai; Thane; Navi Mumbai; Pune; Nashik, Aurangabad & Nagpur & substantially due to a very large number of names of

17 16 Duplicate Electors as also Shifted & Migrated Electors which remain to be deleted from PERs. 5. Voters Turnout Analysing PCs with the lowest turnout in Lok Sabha General Elections 2014, Urban Apathy seems to be the key issue behind the low turnout hindering the overall average turnout of the State. Also, Women voters turnout being 57.95% also gives rise to the task of more outreach activities for awareness and motivation of women voters to cast their votes. It is also evident that in GE 2014, overall voters turnout including all categories ie. Women, Men and Urban areas have registered an increase of about 10% each when compared to Lok Sabha Elections Hence the State has targeted a 10% increase in voters turnout in the Assembly Elections Excluded Communities/ Groups The Beedi Workers living in traditional colonies in Solapur District, the migratory Sugarcane Cutters & Harvesters of the Vanzari Community in the Beed District, the Bada Madias primitive tribe of Gadchiroli District and the Third Gender voters from the entire State are targeted groups to be enrolled in the current SVEEP Plan.

18 17 B3.2. Survey findings regarding reasons for non-participations: The baseline survey on Knowledge, Attitude, Behaviour, Belief and Practices (KABBP) shows that 80 per cent of sample voters cast their vote in last election (GE 2009). The highest turnout was reported in Yavatmal district and the lowest in Wardha district. Out of the total registered sample voters the proportion of voters reporting reason of voting as it was my duty / right was 70. The proportion of voters reported that they have voted because of repeated appeal and advertisement by EC was 15. Of the total sample voters who have not voted, the proportion of voters reported that they have not voted as their name was not on electoral roll were 55. Of the total sample voters who have not voted, the proportion of voters reported that they have not voted because they did not have electoral photo ID card was 42.

19 18 C. BUILDING STRATEGY C1. Common Strategy For the overall voters education and awareness, the State has already started undertaking various initiatives after the results of Lok Sabha General Elections were announced. After the ruling of Hon. High Court regarding voters enrolment and awareness, the State has been following a dedicated outreach strategy to reach every single eligible voter for Special Summary Revision Campaign as well as the ongoing continuous updation of the rolls. Following are the components of the common strategy followed by the State to encounter gaps in the electoral roll with the help of SVEEP: Sr. Gap No 1. AGE COHORT (Youth Enrolment Gap) Strategy For enrolling maximum number of eligible youth voters (Esp. Age group which has a 61.68% gap in the cohort when compared with of the total projected census population in this age cohort), a vibrant media plan and optimum utilization of all youth specific NGOs/CSOs/NSS/Campus ambassadors and social media campaigns will be undertaken. On the contrary, the cohort of age group of 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, and where the rolls appear inflated; DEOs shall ensure implementation of strategies for encountering issues like duplications and eliminating the names of dead/duplicate electors. 2. Gender Ratio To cope with the underlying gap of 32 points between the census and the electoral roll, sincere efforts shall be made to spread women voters awareness messages using media, women oriented NGOs/CSOs/Self Help Groups, using platforms of Government Departments like Women and Child Development Department, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Department etc.

20 19 EP Ratio PER/EPIC % EP Ratio, EPIC and PER% is the key task of the DEOs which required multi-pronged strategies and mutual coordination between the administration and the voters. Urban Apathy in voters enrolment shall be handled by the CEO and the DEOs with the help of partnerships and involvement of NGOs/CSOs in the urban pockets, Cooperative Housing Societies, Social/Electronic and Print Media etc. EP Ratio, EPIC and PER % in rural areas shall be tackled using Special gram Sabhas as a key tool for voters awareness and education platform Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Department. Postal communications to eligible voters whose names were not included in the previous elections are also being sent as an outreach measure after instructions from the ECI. 5. Voters Turnout Social Media/Print and Electronic Media including Radio shall be used in a more dynamic way to encourage voters to cast their votes. Campus Ambassadors, Sankalpa Patras, Ex- Servicemen as Matdar Mitras, Bulk SMSs for pre-poll and poll day reminders etc. shall be the overall strategy. 6. Excluded Communities/ Groups Special efforts will be made to reach out the aforementioned excluded communities/groups using specialized NGOs/CSOs and activists who shall be working in close coordination with the District SVEEP Nodal Officers.

21 20 C1.1. Information and Motivation In order to propagate voters awareness and education both in terms of voters enrolment and turnout, the following information shall be used as a crux/base of the creatives that shall be circulated using various media/social media platforms: 1. Basic information enabling qualified citizens to register. 2. Proofs required 3. How and Where to register? 4. Why women and youth must register? 5. How and Where to get EPIC from? 6. Why vote? 7. How every vote counts! 8. Ethical and Informed voting 9. Information regarding voters search engines, photo-voter slips, EVMs etc. 10. Reminder dates and time of polling C1.2. Facilitation: Voters Facilitation for hassle free registration and voting shall be hosted using following platforms: 1. Voters Help Centres at the nearest locations of the voters residences 2. Distribution of Photo voters slips. 3. Continuous Updation of e-rolls at the respective ERO Offices. 4. Toll Free helpline services for citizens: Postal Communications with the eligible voters whose names have not figured in the rolls during last elections. 6. Informed and updated website of the CEO. 7. Mass publicity for awareness about registration/continuous updation/voting using Official Facebook and youtube pages of the CEO, Newspapers, regular interactions with the Officials from the CEO Office on Radio/Doordarshan etc. 8. Special Gram Sabhas for voters awareness and education. 9. NSS/Youth Specific NGOs and CSOs and Campus Ambassadors helping to bridge the gap between the voters and the district election machinery. 10. Women SHGs helping to bridge the gap between the women voters and the district election machinery.

22 21 C2. TARGETED APPROACH The common SVEEP strategy being intensive and holistic in nature shall also focus upon the targeted group with a more dedicated approach to include maximum number of eligible voters from the aforementioned excluded communities. While the DEOs shall ensure maximum efforts to reach out the excluded communities/groups, the CEO Office shall ensure focussed SVEEP strategies to cope up with following two key issues: Key Issue Youth Enrolment and Participation Targeted Approach 1. Campus Ambassadors will be utilized as facilitators to spread the awareness messages/advertisements to other eligible student voters using their social media tools like whatsapp, facebook, twitter etc. thereby making it a youth mass awareness drive. 2. Youth related NGOs/CSOs shall work in close coordination with the EROs to help register the maximum number of eligible young voters. 3. Bulk SMS platform shall also be used. Urban Apathy 1. Urban areas NGOs/CSOs/Cooperative housing societies/media shall be tapped to catalyse the registration and motivation activities. Women Voters Women SHGs/Women NGOs/CSOs/Women capacity building training workshops of RDD shall be used as tools to tap the women voters to motivate them to enrol and vote.

23 22 D. IMPLEMENTATION D.1 Team formation at District and State Headquarters State Level: The CEO shall take regular review of the task force set up at District level District level: The Task Force for the implementation of SVEEP plan at the District Level would consist of the following:- 1. Collector & District Election Officer Chairman 2. Deputy District Election Officer Member Co-ordination 3. Deputy Commissioner of Municipal Corporation 4. Defence Estate Officers of Cantonment Boards Member 5. Education Officer of Zilla Parishad Member 6. District Deputy Registrar of Co-operative Societies Member 7. District Women & Child Development Officer Member 8. District Social Welfare Officer Member 9. Project Officer, ITDP Member 10. Regional Officer, MIDC - Member 11. District Information Officer - Member 12. NCC Commandant - Member 13. Lead Bank Manager - Member 14. Industries Associations Special Invitees 15. NGOs/ Civic Society Groups Special Invitees. 16. Youth Clubs/ Organizations Special Invitees 17. Nehru Yuva Kendra, NSS, Scouts & Guides Special Invitees.

24 23 D.2 Training & Capacity Building of SVEEP Teams 1. Adopt cascaded training pattern and build a team 2. State shall first identify, train & prepare State Level Master Trainers (SLMTs) 3. SLMTs shall then identify, train & prepare Assembly Level Master Trainers (ALMTs) 4. ALMTs shall then identify, train & prepare the Booth Level Officers (BLOs) 5. Share the training material and the experiences with each other D.3 Building Partnership 1. EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS: Maharashtra has several Universities & large network of Private Educational Institutions. They have collaborated in the past in promoting registration of Young Electors & their involvement will be sought for implementation of SVEEP. The Registrar of every non Agricultural University is appointed as Campus Ambassador and the Principal of every college is appointed as the Nodal Officer for SVEEP. Also to enhance youth registration the Principal of the college is directed to appoint meritorious student who voluntarily wish to work as College Ambassador. These Ambassadors shall be used as platforms to circulate awareness messages/advertisements through interactive social media channels like Whatsapp, Facebook, Twitter etc. 2. INDUSTRY ASSOCIATIONS: Maharashtra being highly industrialized has the presence of a very large number of Private Industries. The synergic relationship of the Industry Associations & MIDC will be leveraged through MIDC & their participation sought for implementation of SVEEP. 3. BANK BRANCHES: Maharashtra has an extensive network of Nationalised & Co-operative Banks. The Nationalised & Co-operative Bank will be roped in through the Lead Banks of the district for ensuring that Small Account holders & Family Members are registered as electors. Further, for the non-

25 24 photo entries in PER, the Bank Documents which have photographs will be used for improving the coverage of PER & EPIC. The network of Nationalised & Co-operative Bank branches regularly interact with the Women Self Help Groups & these will be used to reach out to Women Electors. Know Your BLO proposed to be displayed at the branches of those Nationalised & Co-operative Banks which voluntarily agree to implement this initiative under SVEEP. 4. POST OFFICES: India has an extensive network of Post offices. Post Department will be involved in the awareness and education of electors programme. All the Post Offices will have some illustrative banners displaying at the entrance. A message to all voters can be stuck on the postal material. This would definitely motivate the voter especially the rural voters. 5. STATE DEPARTMENTS: The field officers of various State Government Departments which have a strategic role to play in creating public opinion are proposed to be involved in implementation of SVEEP plan especially for improving the registration of Youth Electors & Women Electors. Special Gram Sabhas for voters awareness were held across the State before General Elections to Lok Sabha 2014 turned out a big success registering significant increase in the rural voters turnout. The same shall be repeated during Assembly Elections Also, the network of Fair Price/ Rationing Shops are proposed to be involved especially for mobilization of electors in Rural Areas & to track down Non-Photo Entry electors with a view to improve coverage of PER & EPIC. Ongoing Capacity Building trainings for rural women and Maharashtra State Rural Livelihoods Mission (By Rural Development Department) shall be used as an interactive platform to educate the rural women voters.

26 25 6. NGOs: The vibrant network of 'Ganesh Mandals' NSS, NCC, NYKS and Civic Society Groups/ NGOs working in sectors such as Mobilization of Youth & Women Empowerment etc. & will be actively involved in implementation of SVEEP. 7. MEDIA: The pro-bono participation of News Print and Electronic Media at various levels will be sought for wide outreach of initiatives under SVEEP. FM Radio Station and TV & Cable Operators; Multiplexed & Cinema Halls will be used to reach out to Young Electors & Women Electors. D.4 Resource Mobilisation 1. Human Resources like message carriers, content developers, cultural troupes etc. 2. Women Self Help Groups 3. The famous Mumbai Dabba Walas 4. Cooperative Housing Societies 5. Partner Agencies like, Doordarshan/ AIR to air the content/ messages created; PSUs/ Corporates for sponsorships and financial resources; Railways, Airports, Banks, Posts for providing infrastructure for dissemination Private Media Houses for providing space, airtime etc.

27 26 D.5 Media & Communication Plan D5.1 Overall approach Wide publicity through Media viz. Electronic, Print, Mobile, Hoardings etc. D5.2 Targeted approach Special messages for Youth through Mobile, TV, Social media like Facebook,Twitter etc. Special emphasis for Promoting Ethical and Informed Voting. Women centric messages though TV, Social Cultural Activities and Melas etc. Urban targeted messages through Print, Hoardings and TV, Mobile etc. D5.3 Content Development Generation and Sharing of Contents like Pamphlets, Hoardings, Banners, Slogans and CDs etc. D5.4 Summary of Media insertions for proposed target audience S.No. Target Media Partner Agencies to be associated 1 Women TV, Radio, Cinema, Social Cultural Activities and Melas, Mobile Vans etc. Women s Self-Help Groups, Mahila Bachat Guts, Anaganwadi Kendras, Women and Child Development Dept. Information and Publicity Dept., Cultural Dept. NGOs, CSOs etc. 2 Urban Print, Hoardings, City Public Buses and TV, Radio, Mobile, Website, etc. Information and Publicity Dept., Telecom Dept. NGOs, CSOs, Coop Dept. etc.

28 27 3 Youth Mobile, TV, Radio, Social media like Facebook and Twitter, website etc. 4 Third gender TV, Radio, Cinema, Social Cultural Activities, Mobile etc. 5 Ethical and TV, Radio, Cinema, Social informed Cultural Activities, Mobile Voting etc. Information and Publicity Dept., Telecom Dept. Mobile operators, NGOs etc. Women and Child Development Dept. Information and Publicity Dept., Cultural Dept., Telecom Dept. NGOs, CSOs etc. Information and Publicity Dept., Women and Child Development Dept. Telecom Dept. NGOs, CSOs, Coop Dept. etc. D.6 Physical Events and activities D.6.1 Overall approach Organisation of events like NVD, Youth festivals, Debates, Sports, Quiz Competitions, Rally's, Meetings, Rangoli Competitions, Human Chain, Street plays etc. in which target audience is directly engaged with. D6.2 Targeted approach Organisation of events like NVD, Youth festivals, Debates, Sports, Quiz Competitions, Rally's etc. for youth. Meetings, Rangoli Competitions, Human Chain, Street plays etc. for women. Meetings, Human Chain, Street plays, Debates etc. for Urban Voters. D6.3 Other innovations Sankalp Patras/ Pledge Letters to voters through their wards in school Special messages on Postal materials Special messages on Education materials Special messages on Railway tickets Special messages on Government materials Screen savers on Government Computers

29 28 D6.4 Summary of proposed Events/Activities S.No. Target Events Partner Agencies to be associated Groups 1 Women Meetings, Rangoli Competitions, Human Chain, Street plays etc. Women s Self-Help Groups, Mahila Bachat Guts, Anaganwadi Kendras, Women and Child Development Dept. Information and Publicity Dept., Cultural Dept. NGOs, CSOs etc. 2 Urban Meetings, Human Chain, Street plays, Debates etc. Information and Publicity Dept., Telecom Dept. NGOs, CSOs, Coop Dept. etc. 3 Youth NVD, Youth festivals, Debates, Sports, Quiz Competitions, Rally's etc. Information and Publicity Dept., Youth and Sports Dept., Educational Institutes, Telecom Dept. NSS, Mobile operators, NGOs etc. 4 Third gender TV, Cinema, Social Cultural Activities, Mobile etc. Women and Child Development Dept. Information and Publicity Dept., Cultural Dept., Telecom Dept., NGOs, CSOs etc.

30 29 D7. Voter Facilitation Set up of various facilities like Voters' Help Line Numbers, Voters' Help Centers, Web Search Facility in Voter List, Reminder SMSs, Polling Stations Search facility, Voter Slip etc. D7.1 Voters' Help Centers Display of Voters' list Issue of EPICs Search facility in Voters' list Attend to Voters' calls D7.2 Use of Information and Technology 1. Helpline Numbers 2. Name search on internet and SMS etc. 3. Polling Booth location search on Google map etc. D7.3 Polling Station specification initiatives 1. Display of Voters list outside of each PS 2. Proper lighting at each PS 3. Ramps for persons with disabilities and senior citizens etc. D7.4 Any other target specific Facilitation measure planned Special registration camps at Gram Panchayat, Anganwadi levels for rural Women Special registration camps at School, College, University for youth Involvement of CSOs, NGOs, Coop societies in Urban area D7.5 Voter Slip Voter slip mentioning Voters' name, address, details of Polling Station, Date and Time of Polling.

31 30 E. Monitoring Mechanism Regular communication with partner agencies at Head quarter and District level through Video Conferences, Meetings, SVEEP Whatsapp Group etc. The same strategy shall be followed at the district level by the District SVEEP Nodal Officer. Template reporting formats shall be circulated for Pre Poll, Poll Day and Post Poll SVEEP indicators. F. Evaluation & Documentation Assessment of targeted interventions at PS level for identified gaps evaluation of total turnout and reasons thereof Women, youth, postal ballot turnout and reasons thereof Ratio of Gender, youth, urban voters in roll and actual polling. Compilation of pictures/videos etc for interesting case studies. Well compiled documentation of findings, assessments, evaluations and reasoning. State SVEEP Document with outcomes of initiatives.

32 31 G. Calendar Action Points Start Date End Date Team Formation Already Formed (Existing SVEEP Teams from Lok Sabha Elections 2014) Training & Capacity Already done (21 st 24 th August, 2014 Building August, 2014) Building Partnerships 15 th August, th September, 2014 Resource Mobilization Ongoing Process 10 th October, 2014 Monitoring Ongoing Simultaneously 10 th October, 2014 Evaluation Post- Assembly within 3 months Elections Documentation Post- Assembly Elections within 4 months Facilitation Measures Start Date End Date Helpline numbers activation Ongoing Assembly Elections Poll day Name Search Facility on Ongoing Assembly Elections Poll day SMS PS location on Google map Ongoing Ongoing Special registration drives Ongoing Ongoing for women Polling Station Facility Pre-Election Till Poll day Communication and Activity Plan Theme Sub-Theme Activity (Event and or Start Date End Date

33 32 Media insertion Registration Why register TV, Radio, Cinema, Mobile Vans, Print, Hoardings, City Public Buses and Mobile, Social media like Facebook and Twitter, website, Meetings, Rangoli Competitions, Human Chain, Street plays, NVD, Youth festivals, Debates, Sports, Quiz Competitions, Rally's etc. Voting Why Vote, How to TV, Radio, Cinema, Vote, Check names Mobile Vans, Print, on Voter list, Hoardings, City Public Identification, Buses and Mobile, documents, Do's Social media like and Don ts Facebook and Twitter, Inducement Free website, Meetings, Voting Rangoli Competitions, Informed Voting Human Chain, Street NOTA/Pledge plays, NVD, Youth Letter/ Sankalp festivals, Debates, Patras to students Sports, Quiz Voter Slip ahead of Competitions, Rally's poll day etc. Some modes are included as Ongoing activities 15 th September, 2014 one month before polling Till Poll Day

34 33 Electoral Electoral System TV, Radio, Cinema, 15 th Till Poll Education Mobile Vans, Print, September Day Hoardings, City Public 2014 Buses and Mobile, Social media like Facebook and Twitter, website, Meetings, Rangoli Competitions, Human Chain, Street plays, NVD, Youth festivals, Debates, Sports, Quiz Competitions, Rally's etc. ** Templates circulated to the districts shall comprise of the following components: 1. Pre-Poll, Poll Day and Post Poll statistics of SVEEP activities (as circulated by ECI for the dashboard) 2. Five best pictures/other media of SVEEP activities for each of Pre Poll, Poll Day and Post Poll day from each district. 3. Campus Ambassadors Report comprising of their experiences and initiatives towards increasing youth voters registration and turnout. 4. Interesting facts/figures and incidences of voting to be shared on SVEEP Whatsapp Group which would include all district SVEEP Nodal Officers and all partner organizations and State Departments. 5. District SVEEP Document to be compiled within one month of the poll conclusion. 6. State SVEEP Document to be compiled within forty five days of poll conclusion. 7. Special component in the District and State SVEEP Document to highlight initiatives with respect to Women and Third Gender enrolment and turnout.

35 34 OUTCOMES OF THE OBJECTIVES SET IN THE SVEEP PLAN OF GE 2014 Sr. No Objective Target Status Comments % EPIC AND PER coverage by end of Special Summary Revision of PER with as the Qualifying Date. 2. Elector- Population Ratio to be 100%. 3. Targeted Approach for Involvement & Registration of Youth specifically those in the Age Group of years. 4. Special Focus on Women Electors in areas of adverse Gender Ratio of PER. 5. Increase in Voter Turnout' as compared to last Lok Sabha General Election-2014 Partially Achieved Partially Achieved Partially Achieved Partially Achieved Between and , ie. Within a span of 6 months, the State has managed to increase the EPIC % from 91.60% to 92.40% and PER % from 90.33% to 91.30% and the figure is progressively increasing due to continuous updating of electoral rolls. From EP Ratio of 66.31% in GE 2009 to 67.11% on , the State has managed a significant 7% rise registering 70.19% EP Ratio as on Between and , the State has managed to overcome the Age cohort of age group from 27.61% to 38.32%. ie. A significant 11% rise in a short span of 6 months. Also, the youth voters turnout as reported by print media was more than 75% in Maharashtra. The Gender Ratio of the rolls has significantly risen by 6% from 887 (As on ) to 893 (As on ). ACHIEVED The State registered about 10% increase in voters turnout as compared to GE Urban PCs too registered an average rise of 9% in the voters turnout. Similarly, there was a 10% increase in the women voters turnout when compared to GE 2009.

36 COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF VOTERS TURNOUT: GRAPHS AND CHARTS 35