District Election Management Plan

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Background
• What is District Election Management Plan (DEMP)?
• Features of the District Election Management Plan (DEMP)
• What About EVMs?
• Key Facts for Prelims

Background

The conduct of elections has become increasingly complex and multifaceted, requiring meticulous planning and execution to ensure a free, fair, and inclusive electoral process.

A cornerstone of this planning process is the District Election Management Plan (DEMP), a comprehensive document that uses statistics and analysis to ensure the smooth conduct of elections.

What is District Election Management Plan (DEMP)?

• As per the Election Commission of India (ECI), the DEMP is to be prepared at least six months before the tentative poll day.
• However, many things become clearer as the election is notified, so it becomes necessary to revise/update the plan occasionally.
• Executing the DEMP requires a collaborative effort involving election officials, administrative authorities, law enforcement agencies etc.
• Regular interactions with political parties and media are also planned to brief them on electoral rules.

Features of the District Election Management Plan (DEMP)

• The plan starts with a district profile that serves as the foundation of the electoral strategy. This includes:
  • a political map outlining constituencies,
  • key demographic and infrastructure statistics,
  • a brief on the district’s administrative setup and
  • socio-economic features.
• The plan encompasses detailed strategies for improving the availability and accessibility of polling stations, ensuring that all stations have essential facilities like ramps, electricity, lighting, drinking water, toilets, and internet connectivity.
• Special attention is given to voters with disabilities (PwD) and senior citizens through help desks, 24/7 control rooms, home voting options, etc.
• Another critical component of the DEMP is the Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) plan, which focuses on increasing electoral participation.
• It involves analyzing voter turnout data to identify polling stations with below-average or significantly low turnout and tailoring activities to address these issues.
• Activities under the SVEEP plan include the use of social media, engagement with various community and youth organisations, and organizing events leading up to the poll day to increase awareness and participation.
• Additionally, DEMP outlines a comprehensive strategy for the planning, training, welfare, and deployment of election personnel. It highlights the importance of:
  • creating a poll personnel database,
  • categorising available personnel by cadre and group while assessing their requirement and strategies to address gaps in personnel needs across various election roles.
• The force deployment plan requires detailed planning in coordination with the district police, including vulnerability mapping of polling stations based on past disturbances and voter turnout.
• The plan also includes training district-level teams to enforce the Model Code of Conduct (MCC).

What About EVMs?

• Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) management is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the electoral process.
• This includes plans necessary for secure storage and availability of EVMs and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trails (VVPATs), including plans for their transportation and maintenance.
• The DEMP enhances the voting experience by making it more organised and accessible for everyone.
• Beyond elections, its approach of meticulous planning, collaboration and transparency offers lessons for broader governance.
• It emphasises the importance of advanced planning, data-driven decisions, and stakeholder collaboration to tackle challenges effectively.

 VVPAT

• Voter verifiable paper audit trail (VVPAT) or verifiable paper record (VPR) is a method of providing feedback to voters using a ballotless voting system.
• VVPAT machines are used during election process to verify that the vote polled by a voter goes to the correct candidate.
• It contains the name of the candidate (for whom vote has been cast) and symbol of the party/individual candidate.
• VVPAT system gives instant feedback to the voter showing that the vote polled has in fact been allotted against the candidate chosen.
• In India, VVPAT system was introduced in 8 of 543 parliamentary constituencies as a pilot project in 2014 Indian general election.
• It was introduced in all 543 Lok Sabha constituencies in 2019 Indian general election.

Q1) What is the term of Chief Election Commissioner of India?

The Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners shall hold office for a term of six years from the date on which he assumes his office or till he attains the age of sixty-five years, whichever is earlier.

Q2) Who conducts the elections in the Panchayati Raj institutions in India?

The Election Commission of India is vested with the responsibility of conducting elections to House of People and State Legislative Assemblies whereas the State Election Commission with the conduct of elections to all elections of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and Municipal bodies in the State.

Source: What is the district election management plan? | Explained