The continued pursuit of the perfect election, Pg6

Key Highlights:

• Elections for the Legislative Assemblies of Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal are scheduled, following a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
• Over 25 lakh election officials, including 8.5 lakh security personnel, will serve a 17.4 crore electorate across 2.19 lakh polling stations.
• The Election Commission of India (ECI) aims for violence and inducement-free elections, combating the 4Ms: Money, Muscle, Misinformation, and violations of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC).
• Authorities seized over ₹10,000 crore worth of inducement material during the 2024 general election, with over ₹400 crore seized in the first month of these elections.

Detailed Insights:

• The SIR process has reduced electoral rolls by removing absentee, shifted, and deceased voters, potentially increasing participation.
• The ECI has made changes among senior officials to ensure fair polls, despite criticism from some State governments.
• Multiple phases in elections are often due to the need for security forces to safeguard the integrity of the polls.
• The ECI is addressing electoral inducements through enforcement agencies that monitor polling areas and track illicit cash, liquor, and digital transactions.
• The ECI has banned political advertisements in print media on poll day and the day before unless pre-certified, and is working to counter fake news on digital media.
• The Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) program has enhanced voter engagement, including collecting votes from homes of electors over 85 years old and persons with disabilities.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Special Intensive Revision (SIR): A process to update electoral rolls by removing ineligible voters and ensuring accuracy.
• Model Code of Conduct (MCC): A set of guidelines issued by the ECI to regulate the conduct of political parties and candidates during elections.
• Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP): A program by the ECI to educate voters and increase electoral participation.