Editor,
I have attended many election trainings in my 25 years of Government service in West Garo Hills of Meghalaya, but never as tardy as the one I am experiencing now. I am posted in South Garo Hills District at present, so my experiences should be seen from that referential frame.
“ Let me now start the training, all presiding Officers/Polling Officers at the polling booths must observe all instructions of the Election Commission, No Arguments and no questions, You all are deputed under Election Commission of India so no need to worry about your own departments” says the newly appointed young male Extra Assistant Commissioner. Another Mr. MCS Officer who had just probably learnt the English language from his teen-aged children conducted the training in such a casual manner, by l-i-t-e-r-a-l-l-y blurting “this is like this…. blah blah blah this is like that blah blah blah” by reading out from a book. And “they” expect no slackness on the part of the Presiding and Polling personnel in such election matters.
Training of Presiding and Polling personnel on that day over the use of electronic voting machines left much to be desired. Presiding officers/Polling Officers attending these training programs found the training a mere formality and not a serious affair. There is no standardized content or structure for the training. Nor is adequate number of technical persons available for training. We hardly got any practical training in operations of EVMs. Anyone who attended the training could exhibit ineptness in handling voting machines because of the poor trainings imparted to us. We are given a briefing about the functions and operation of the voting machines in large groups and told to read detailed notes given in the presiding officers’ diary. There were many first timers, old and young, who eagerly came to learn in that training, which was Greek to them. For around 300 Presiding and Polling personnel( where most of us had to take the training standing from 10 AM to 4:30P.M. since sitting arrangements are not sufficient.) only 5-6 EVMs were available for us to handle physically. Then, we are asked to sign in a paper on that training day itself which is sort of an undertaking that we have understood everything. On paper, you cannot find fault with the training process but in reality, it is woefully inadequate and the hands-on-training on the machines is not at all adequate.
I presume the newly posted Deputy Commissioner who boasts of the privilege of working during elections in trouble-torn, militant infested Assam, is aware of the pitfalls of training but conveniently to shift the blame onto the officials, threatens and intimidates the polling personnel during the training. What he fails to understand perhaps (in spite of having such vast experiences?..) is that due to poor training given to the polling personnel on handling of EVMs, the EVMs could either be mishandled or malfunctions may occur resulting in disruption in the poll process and thereby suspension of polling may occur for some period of time, during polling hours , causing delays. Accusations may arise of foul play during these breaks.
Yours etc.,
A serving officer
(Name withheld on request)
Redundant ECI
Editor,
The Election Commission of India has become a redundant administrative body which goes about its job with no motivation or will to conduct elections in the right spirit. It lacks the zeal to promote free and fair elections and by its own admission, restricts itself to the administrative task of conducting elections. It has become a body staffed by a bunch of clerks who go about the task of electioneering in a numb, robotic manner even while being fully aware of what is needed to be done to minimize corruption during elections. It chooses to chase after will-o-wisps like Founder Cajee and his kind for illegal cash disbursements with complete lack of success (as expected). The Election Commission of India reminds one of the bumbling Inspector Clouseau of the Pink Panther series for the manner in which it is conducting elections in Meghalaya. The 2013 Assembly Elections can never be a free and fair one, given the manner in which the ECI has been functioning in the state. Politicians are just too cagey for the ECI officials who are always ten steps behind.
Yours etc.,
James Pariat,
Via email
Meghalaya election- euphoria or phobia?
Editor,
The Assembly Election in Meghalaya is knocking at our doors and candidates are mostly confined to house visits because they are to abide by the Code of Conduct framed by the Election Commission of India. It cannot be denied that voters/citizens of Meghalaya are not very aware about their fundamental rights. Moreover, the candidates in the fray are wary of doing anything extra to attract the voters in their own constituencies because of innumerable restrictions imposed by the Election Commission of India. Curbing expenditure from the pocket of candidates is simply increasing the expenditure by the Government due to engagement of several observers to keep watch on the activities of the candidates. Under the present circumstances, the Government spends hundreds of crores to conduct elections and that money flows from the public exchequer. If so much spending is happening then the Government is also duty bound to apprise the people of the State, about the ‘”Do’s and Don’ts” for both candidates and electorate by using the public/private media continuously until the eve of elections. Ii is time to remove the election phobia from the minds of the people and make the Assembly Election a euphoric one.
Yours etc.,
PB Das,
Shillong-3,
Youth Engagement for Development
Editor,
I am referring to the headline “Young guns pledge to make future perfect” as reported in your esteemed daily on 14th February, 2013. At the outset, let me place on record that I am a strong advocate of change and development through ‘motivated youth’ (youth who working endlessly towards a shared objective/vision). In a sense it is great that a sizeable number of youth are in the fray this time. However, at times like these (when we are about to participate and/or witness a public experience) it is more of a case of ‘missing the forest for the tree(s)’.
What I state here is not new knowledge, but, in terms of a framework for general understanding and more deliberations in future. ‘Development’ has always been a buzzword and is used as a lever for personal/public gain. However, we realize that it is long-term oriented and is mainly an end through certain means. The comments and vision of the ‘young candidates’ is highly commendable. However, it is more of a case of grappling with the ‘end in itself’. This is because ‘youth in politics for development’ requires ‘enablers’ and the master enabler is ‘youth engagement’. It is high time that we talk and practice it. Without engagement of ‘motivated youth’ (not just youth) starting from ground level (and so called petty) issues to policy/strategic issues, accountability through responsibility and self-determination will still be a distant dream. As such, the majority will be indifferent and/or lack a sense of direction on how to tackle economic, social, cultural, political issues and so forth. Moreover, such an engagement should be continous for at least one generation as the outcomes (development) of engagement of today’s youth will be experienced by tomorrow’s (the transformation of world war torn Europe from the 1940’s is an exhibit to this end). This sacrifice is also important. This is also true in case of socio-economic development of the state/country as a whole.
For the youth who are motivated to be in Legislatures (district, state and/or country) for change and development, ‘engagement’ starts today and continuously so, not just in politics, but, holistically so. This also implies that by the time such ‘a’ youth is elected to a Legislature he/she may/will not be a youth anymore, but, importantly understands the problems and challenges and more critically has a sense of direction on how to tackle them.
Yours etc,
Benjamin Lyngdoh
NEHU Campus
Shillong – 22