ECI’s commendable drive stutters in implementation

ELECTORS VERIFICATION PROGRAMME FOR ERROR-FREE ROLLS

Karun Lama

(The author can be contacted at karunlamascholar@gmail.com)

During the mega launch of the Electors Verification Programme (EVP) on September 1, the Election Commission of India (ECI) had announced that it will be popularized on all platforms through various arrangements. However, less than 30 percent voters of the State had participated in the verification programme ahead of the first deadline on October 15. Because, agree or not, a large proportion of voters was not aware of such a programme being carried out, mainly in the villages. Many voters came to know about it only through the deadline hype. The deadline has now been extended to the 18th of November (except for Delhi which is 31st October).

But as the verification has to be performed online — either by logging in to the National Voter’s Service Portal (NVSP) or through ‘Voter Helpline’ mobile app, a vast majority of the voters, especially in the villages who are less familiar with the internet, is facing the challenge. They have no idea how to operate the mobile app or the website. Even though smartphone users in the villages have invariably increased in today’s time and no doubt many of them are now gradually finding out about social media, yet their internet use is restricted. As such they are knocking at the online centers to have their verification done by paying money, even up to Rs. 100 per elector as I witnessed in an online center.

The Election Commission has said officially that the programme also facilitates another way for verification which is by visiting a nearby allotted Common Service Centre (CSC) or the Voter Facilitation Centre (VFC) at a very nominal fee. Well, it is astonishing getting to see such blandishment at the private internet centers with the deprived people. However, the private centers are not to be blamed because they are just running their business. It is either because these voters are not being well informed about the facilitated CSCs or it is the shortcomings of those allotted CSCs in properly serving the voters.

Moreover, a vast majority of electors including me, have been facing an irksome conundrum in surfing the NVSP website because of its sluggishness. And many are facing similar problems such as failing to register their mobile number because the OTP is lately being received and sometimes never received at all. Moreover, if one has to file for any correction in names or details, the form submission at the end has either been successful or not, remains vague. The server-error faced in the last 2-3 days before the first deadline, however, could be justified for the huge traffic. But, unfortunately, ‘www.nvsp.in’ is still not functioning properly. As the portal being an official website of the nation’s Election Commission, it is anticipated to be improved. Further, there is a need for popularizing this programme across villages by the concerned authorities of the respective districts. The respective Booth Level Officers (BLOs) need to act popularly in this crowd-sourcing campaign. Functional EVP facilitation desks are urgently needed in the villages. These can help ensure every voter to successfully complete the verification process by the next deadline.

Nevertheless, the Election Commission of India has undertaken a much-needed drive which would certainly ensure an error-free electoral roll if cent percent of the country’s electors participate effectively. Before final publication of the electoral roll which is scheduled to be on 20th January, 2020 (except Delhi, which is on 6th January), the program would constitute other successive phases; firstly, the publication of an integrated draft electoral roll; secondly, provisions for filing claims and objections; thirdly, disposal of claims and objections, etc. The Electors Verification Programme, however, is one step more towards Digital India, for which the Election Commission deserves kudos. However, India’s huge populace, having less knowledge of the digital world and smart devices, should be properly informed and motivated on how to popularly participate in such programmes.

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