Learnings from BMC Elections : Responses Received : 61-95 (table)

Student candidate’s name not on ratings list

Poll candidate Sanjeet Shukla

Irked, Youth for Equality, a student’s organisation, complains to the poll
panel against the agency that rated BMC contestants
Yogita Rao
yogita.rao@mid-day.com

YOUTH for Equality (YFE), a students’ organisation which created a
nationwide stir during protests against reservation, has lodged a complaint
with the Election Commission against NGO AGNI for excluding a student
candidate’s name while rating contestants participating in the BMC
elections. The ratings were published two-days before the BMC polls.
YFE had fielded Sanjeet Shukla (23), a law candidate from Sion, in the BMC
election but his name was missing from the ratings list. Despite this,
Shukla managed to bag around 1,200 votes in the Sion-Matunga region, the
highest among student candidates. Another political party formed by IITians
also fielded a candidate but the contestant could not even muster up 100
votes. AGNI released the ratings and even got it published in a newspaper
and their website in its endeavor to guide voters. On seeing his name
missing, a peeved Shukla said, “Since my name did not figure in the list,
voters thought I was disqualified from the election. I even began getting
calls inquiring whether I was a candidate. Some candidates were seen
flaunting their ratings. I wouldn’t mind getting a poor rating. But ignoring
my name was totally irresponsible.”
Shukla and the other members of YFE have lodged a complaint against AGNI.
Shukla will file a PIL, asking who gave private bodies permission to rate
candidates. “If they have done it for public welfare, then how can they be
so irresponsible?” he asked.
Not enough time
AGNI has blamed BMC for the missing name and the inadequate time it had in
hand to conduct the survey. Its official Gerson Da Cunha said, “It is
difficult to process 2,400 affidavits in five days. And, to add to the
burden, the BMC didn’t give us details of 120 candidates despite pleading
for five days.”

Publication : Mid-day; Pg: 9; Date: 5/2/07

dear vinay, and all at karmayog,

your reminder mail, and the responses of so many egroup members, have put me in deep thought. no, seriously, i have voted, but never taken it with so much deep thought, i have done it as – well, something one does, and later forgotten about it. as a college student and a young unmarried office-goer, all this did not have too much significance for me. lately things seem to have a different meaning..

will send in deeper thoughts later, meanwhile here’s an article of mine that appeared last week…

cheers
nita

Bekaar Mein Cacophony

By the time you read this, the tamasha will be over. But right now I can’t think for the noise around me. I have just had an aloo paratha breakfast to celebrate the return of winter (who was absconding last week) and this noise certainly cannot be good for my constitution. But since it is a God-given constitutional right to shout out your (or your party’s) wares, I guess I have no right to complain. An “election special” vehicle is parked in the lane behind our house, and the man with the loudspeaker, for some reason, has decided to sing his party’s slogan to the tune of “London Bridge Is Falling Down”. How apt that tune is, probably even he did not realise. Or did he? Musing lazily on this beautifully grey, cool Mumbai winter morning, which is a holiday to boot, I let my mind wander through the clouds that float on high over highways and Pali Hill, and come up with a few possibilities. Perhaps, thinks the positive thinker in me, they are taking responsibility for the falling infrastructure, in which case all sites and NGOs dedicated to the purpose must give them a 5-star rating for honesty. And that is rarer than platinum in a pig. Or, forward-thinking me calculates, are they making promises for a state of affairs exactly like the disaster that never happened but was sung about by children all over the world, in our Mumbai’s future? I can think of no third possibility. Except that maybe they are talking about their competitors? That would be dastardly. I don’t think even these guys stoop that low.

At the election booth on Thursday I will look hard, among the pressure cookers, flowers and vehicles and other such meaningful symbols, and see if I can spot a bridge, a flyover or even a road. Or maybe even a pothole. I would want to find out the identity of this honest corporator-in-waiting and vote for him (or her). I know unfortunately even with the high-tech evms the powers that be have still not been able to install sound chips in the booth, that blare out each party’s anthem when you press the button next to the symbol. Maybe it could be a good idea for the next time the elections come around, however soon or otherwise that may be. It might even be a good idea for the visually challenged people in our vote banks. And hopefully somebody will, by then, embark on this perilous and daunting task of installing some better quality sound systems for all campaigning. And perhaps that will also engage that part of the population, the otherwise earnest youth, who are currently so disinterested in their franchise – a privilege, that some wise person rightly said, you only miss when it is taken away from you.

But today, it seems like a complete waste of time and effort. Even with the volume on full blast, all I can hear is the tune. The words, including the name of the party, are lost in the eternal mists of distorted soundwaves. Perhaps, fortunately.

Yes, I did vote. I personally think that when people do not have an opinion or interest in public and civic life, it is better they do not vote, otherwise their vote would be without any deliberation or thought, and may be a whimsical vote , which can be dangerous.

The LACGs can help greatly , in getting people to vote. Before the elections , they can hold  meetings in their local area , to consider, debate and discuss jointly what are the important issues before us, which require to be met, and what are we as citizens looking for. They can invite the candidates for an open meeting, and assess their abilities and their track record.

I think the media helped greatly in this last election, for many  literate voters to make a judicious decisions. The evaluation of candidates helped.

The last question is a herculean task. How to prevent purchasing of votes? It does not happen in the high risers, It happens only in the slums. It often happens in the presence of police constables, who have been adequately taken care of . The parties have learnt to circumvent any law, and worse still it is often done by the party in power. It may be easier to educate the voter,  NGO’s can probably  finance short documentaries and adverts on keeping the elections corruption free.

regards

Usha Chandrasekhar

I believe Sena was offering Rs. 550 per person to vote for them in Kalbadevi & the congress 300.

From: “JALINDAR ADSULE” <jadsule@…>

I vote very sincerly in all elections. I feel buying of vote only can be
stopped if citizens are educated,made aware about about their rights and
duties.One also murst see that more and more good candidates take part in
elections. I feel NGO can support some god individuals in elections.People
can be made more aware about importance of electionss.Code of conduct can
only implimened properly if more people know aobout the code of conducts.

J Adsule

RE: your opinion reg. BMC elections is important

Thanks for the mail – But Vinay,

what is the use of this when all are corrupted here.  Why you attack politicians and public when the system – our own brothers sisters, uncles, aunties and parents are corrupted.  Some one is working with some organization and a link will be always.  Unless they work properly every thing will remain like this only and they don’t like or allow the changes.  So better, let us tell our own people to make changes as they required.

Your queries are answered here

—–

1. If you did not vote in the BMC Elections, why? What would have made you personally vote?

Ans :  since I was away from town, I could not vote as it was a sudden trip on account of humanity – My co-brother was getting operated for 4 blocks.

2. What all can be done to get people to vote?

Ans : every one have to motivate others in the building, nearby chawls and societies, servents, staffs, collegues etc., and then only the good system can bring.  I have a practice of paying special incentives to my staffs who vote to improve them as well as to motivate them and I do this in my society and also other workers and known people. Also I call up and tease my friends who are not going to vote on that day as it is requires an inspiration.  ( Few years back a Govt. employee said me for my question, whom he did voting, – he said till this 40 years, he never made a single vote and I told him, never talk about politics and never criticize the system as he don’t have the right for that.)

3. What action should be taken to prevent buying of votes?

Ans : Prosecute them both – the politicians as well as the public.  Bar the politicians from the fields or make it as a buyers market in a proper way.  The one pays more, he get the Vote.

4. What are you complaints or suggestions regarding:

– manifestos – are they realistic; how to hold parties to account?

– election code of conduct, time schedule, fairness, etc.?

– candidate’s profiles, details, etc?

– voter’s list accuracy, registration, easy access, etc?

all are corrupt and nothing will work on this.

ANEESHKUMAR

E mail : aswathy@… / pillai@…

Web: http://www.aswathy.com

Dear Vinay,

Here are my responses.

1. If you did not vote in the BMC Elections, why? What would have made you personally vote?

I and my family voted as usual.

2. What all can be done to get people to vote?

The date of polling should NOT precede or follow a long weekend. This is to avoid people’s vacation clashing with the election date.

55% people who did not vote were mainly from the middle class , Upper middle class and affluent class.

Voters could be given some incentive by the Government, say by way of Income tax exemptions.

It would be great if the voters get some form of acknowledgement from the officials at the booth. This acknowledgement should be attached along with their IT returns to claim exemption (some percentage) from Income tax for the full term ( till the next elections). The amount or percentage of exemption from income tax for voters should be arrived at after some study. If the person is not a payee of income tax he or she should be benefited by increase in interest or returns on their savings.

A suitable scheme has to be evolved for other categories of people.

THE OTHER ALTERNATIVE IS TO HAVE ELECTION DAYS DECIDED FOR EACH STATE JUST AS WE CELEBRATE INDEPENDENCE DAY, REPUBLIC DAY, MAHARASHTRA DAY( OR LABOUR DAY) AND THEN LEVY PENALTY ON THE BASIS OF THEIR INCOME TAX SLABS IF AN ELIGIBLE VOTER DOES NOT VOTE.

THE OLD AND BEDRIDDEN PEOPLE SHOULD BE GIVEN DUE CONSIDERATION.

3. What action should be taken to prevent buying of votes?

Vigilance officers could be posted randomly at select locations. Stringent penalties should be worked out for violations on this count.

4. What are you complaints or suggestions regarding:

– manifestos – are they realistic; how to hold parties to account?

All results promised have to be made in measurable terms so that parties could be held to account.

– election code of conduct, time schedule, fairness, etc.?

– candidate’s profiles, details, etc?

Should be made available well in advance to enable people to choose their candidate.

– voter’s list accuracy, registration, easy access, etc?

All voters would take due care when there is an incentive for voting or a penalty for not voting.

The elected representative in each constituency should immediately be asked to correct the records as soon as he/she resumes duty.

G H Sarma

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Messages in this topic (68)

1> 1st of all goverment must pass new bill in Law that ‘No new or old
political party will be approved or legal status till they have
minimum 50MP’s + 50MLA’s + 50 Corporatores.”
If political parties will reduce, expenses of goverment will also
reduce.
Then govt will allow o police security only Top 20 persons of each
party,others take from private co’s.

2> All Pan card / Credit Card / Driving Licence holder vote are
mandetory so no of voting will increase n buying selling of vote will
close.

3> For VIP’s or Big businessman or big shots,
A.Open Voting booth at reputed and luxery place in Other way Ist
class voting booth with car park.
If they want to Vote in A/c Hall take charge of Rs.10/-(Can increase
in future) from them and allow.

Basant Lakhotia – (part 1)

Names of the candidate was printed in Marathi,which my aged mother-in-law found it diffuclt to read. Mumbai is an international city I think English language should be retained because the city has a sizeable south Indian and Catholic population who are not comfortable with the regional language.
Symbols are not helpful because we have alteast a dozen candidates from each ward.

Thanks for asking our opinion,.
sujatha.

Dear Vinay.

Thanks for this initiative. This is the best way to reform the system. I give my response  against the question in pink text.

Regards

Mohan Siroya

Activist and Chairperson Consumer Complaints Cell

1. If you did not vote in the BMC Elections, why? What would have made you personally vote?

” I voted ,but was forced to record my PROTEST VOTE as none of the contestant  in my ward was worthy “.

2. What all can be done to get people to vote?

” I feel in the present prevailing party system of electing a Government is not conducive to the lateral growth of India or the citizens. Even if we get a most intellectual, clean and result oriented person, who is in no political party;  he/she will have no voice or say as an independent, as the Governemnt runs only on majority vote. Further, even if one such person is in a party which gets in majority to run the Govt. his views will be sidetracked since majority is corrupt, vitiated and will do what serves its own interest.In these circumstances, therefore,I stronly feel that to motivate the people to come out and vote for a result oriented party/candidate, RIGHT TO RECALL must be provided so that we  need not wait for  five years to change A NON PERFORMING PARTY OR AN INDIVIDUAL .

Other solution is to convert our parliamentary democracy into a PRESIDENTIAL SYSTEM  — A LA USA-, where the voter people will be involved directly in electing the HEAD OF THE COUNTRY  who would have all powers to implement what is good for the people and the country, but without depending on the party  majority  or voting for each decision; which is presently dictated by the POPULISM AND THE VOTE BANK.Further in this system, all safe guards for a  CONSTITUTIONAL MISDEAMNOUR is there including the right ot recall or get impeached by both thE houses of parliament”.

3. What action should be taken to prevent buying of votes?

”  My suggested above measures, will make a good beginning in this direction too , wherein the BUYER AND THE SELLER ,IF FOUND GUILTY ,BOTH WILL BE PUNISHD SEVERELY.”

4. What are you complaints or suggestions regarding:

– manifestos – are they realistic; how to hold parties to account?

– election code of conduct, time schedule, fairness, etc.?

– candidate’s profiles, details, etc?

– voter’s list accuracy, registration, easy access, etc?

” All  these problems will be controlled and the leaders/ parties will be made accountable once teh RIGHT TO RECALL IS GIVEN ”

Dear Colleagues,

Municipal elections have come and gone. Citizens selected  the party to be in majority.   Concerned citizens and NGOs could not influence the preset decision.  This, I firmly believe, is due to NGOs not being to able to present an entire panel of candidates to be citizen councillors.

Ideally citizens should have come out with A Citizen Declaration for Mumbai which would have crystalized citizen expectations for Mumbai with complete programme for sustainable development over next five years on all issues and got generally approved by

the citizenry.

Such Mumbai Declaration should be given wide publicity well in advance and applications from aspiring citizens should be invited for specific constituency.  Candidates should be asked to furnish the following information amongst others:

1 Her/his involvement in public issues How long?

2 Wealth and annual income along with sources of income for last three financial years of her/himself and of spouse, maternal and paternal side relations and undertaking to submit this information annually for next five years.

3. All candidates to be ready to interview and checking by local citizens. All interviews to be in open accessible to public.

4. Candidates approved by the NGO/s shall hand over letter of resignation from councillorship if required by NGOs on complaints of non-performance. Enquiries to be in public.

5. All candidates stanfing on NGO ticket to report through local display boards in issues being considered. Regular meetings

with voters. Annual Report on activity undertaken and pursued.

6. Such screening can give an accepted candidate for every constituency. Approved list to be widely published requesting

voters to vote for their candidate.

During electioneering, political parties should declare their views on the Citizen Declaration and their own manifesto.

Data received to be publicized.

We used to follow this some 25 years ago. The response and result were encouraging.  Greater awareness amongst voters.

Realising the limitation on knowledge of candidates and councillors we would organise three day seminar on municipal working,  procedures followed in municipalities. That helped councillors to be effective in their input.

The Corporation is due to start at the earliest.   We can discuss on ways and means that citizens have and can adopt for getting

effective working from councillors. We can formulate the procedure for citizens to pursue with and through councillors if citizens and

NGOs assure that they will work on them.

Getting councillors on public issues is a formidable task but worth pursuing. Are there any takers? Call Kisan on this

important aspect and be ready for full discussion.

————————————————————
Kisan Mehta                  Priya Salvi
Prakruti and Save Bombay Committee
102, MAUSAM, Plot No.285, Sector-28,
Vashi, Navi Mumbai-400705.
Mobile: 0091 9223448857 (Kisan Mehta)
Mobile: 0091 9324027494 (Priya Salvi)
http://www.savebombaycommittee.org

Dear Vinay,

Here is my election experience I would like to share with Karmayog group.

When I look back and try to see things in retrospect, I feel amazed as to why I took such a bold step at the eleventh hour. There were just 15 days left for the election! It bothered me that no one is asking questions to Congress on last 5 years of its performance or non-performance at ward no. 25.

Problems:

I have bought a flat in Kandivali Lokhandwala in 1993 and since then I have seen the place getting worse by the year. Unrestricted exodus of people at the edge of the beautiful hills from all over India to earn 2 meals a day, range of hills disappearing by hours with new plastic “rooms” coming up, roads turning into auto, private bus and taxi stands, shops and slowly hawkers taking away all the footpaths, garbage scattered all over the place, broken drains carrying unlimited filth, unleveled roads (except one recently made and yet not completed), Kandivali East Damupada, at its best can be compared to an underdeveloped village. Majority of people have no sense or awareness on basic cleanliness or hygiene. Every other person is spitting on the road the whole day! During campaigning I saw youth in slums whiling away their time without any guidance. Many boys and men, I found, drunk at day time being purposeless in life. It is the women folk who were running the show with their extreme hard work whether working as household helps or working at home for some Industrial units such as Lizzat Papad or Imitation Jewellery. They did not have even enough toilets. Whatever toilets were there, most of them were without doors and were extremely dirty. Quality of life is at its lowest in Damu pada, Laxmi nagar, Bhim Nagar & Gautam Nagar. Hanuman Nagar was little better and Singh Estate was little more decent.

For middle and upper middle class living in the Lokhandwala, 24 hour water supply is still a luxury. No playground or Jogger’s park, no emergency medical facility, just one approach road, no proper transport from station to Lokhandwala and wasting hours in  traffic condition makes the list of the residents’ woes quite big.

My Dreams

:

It is a big challenge to make this place comparable to better parts of Mumbai. This challenge excited me. I dreamt of inviting all the NGOs in Mumbai to this ward to help spread awareness on hundreds of issues, of involving Corporate sector to adopt small parts of this ward to improve the most pathetic living conditions. Many medical camps need to be organized and Rozgar Kendras to be opened to prepare quality human resources. Free computer school and Balwadis are needed to encourage kids to go to School. Women folk should have decent toilets. Cleaning work has to be initiated in very big way. Drains have to be cleaned and garbage organized. The list is exhaustive.

Challenges I Faced

:

It was very difficult to get any help in Election office. Apart from handing over few papers, designated ward officers were of no help.

No guidance was given on what to check on election day. Now I know that candidates’ representatives in each booth should check Electronic Voting Machine’s seal and its number when it is being opened in the morning and representatives should leave only after machine is sealed in the evening and representative’s signature taken on the seal. A small movie should be made and shown to all the candidates on polling and counting procedure.

It was impossible to find out from Ration card if people who came for voting were genuine. Ration cards should have photos as well and must be renewed like passports after 10 years.

I landed with one poll representative at hall where counting was to begin, while there were 7 simultaneous counters giving the booth wise details. Hence yet I do not know how many votes did I get in which booth.

Polling officers in Basra studio did not allow my agents to enter until after 2 hours of polling. Their excuse was that my agents do not have photos in their forms while forms have neither space for photos nor I was ever told or given in writing that photos of agents will be required. Later on, they were taken inside without photos. I strongly suspect rigging in Basra Studio booths.

It was disappointing to see so many go back without finding their names in the list even after giving applications 6 months ago. This needs to be computerized so that polling officer finds the name immediately and there is neither any need for candidate to set up those help tables nor to get those name slips printed. It is a shame that every party sends these name slips, wasting so much paper. The name should be sent by BMC along with booth address.

Nearby School was always used as polling booth but this time unleveled and far off ground of BEST was used for polling which deterred many high rise residents from coming for voting. There should be a penalty for not voting.

My Solution:

To solve local problems citizen groups have to be involved in development work. Regular meeting with citizen groups is a must to implement any new programmes.

Daily, weekly, monthly and yearly planning with complete transparency of accounts as well as work should be available at area wise website otherwise local office. It should be made mandatory. So that every resident of the area knows what is happening in the area and how many promises that corporator made are being fulfilled.

People should have the right to recall the corporator on the basis of his / her bad performance. We need to work on these lines.

Voting process has too many loopholes and is exploited by unethical parties. Work on this direction needs to be started urgently. Ration cards with photos is a good option to start with. A master data base needs to be created with Thumb impression (Bio-metric) and photo identity of all the voters and it should be possible to delete and add names in the same way as we make and renew our passports. I will be happy to work on these lines with AGNI and others.

My Amusement & Disappointment:

Every well wisher and not-so-well wisher was curious to know how many votes could I get? On a serious note, it is painful to experience the apathy in high rise voters (Those booths were empty always, I will send the percentage as soon as I get it) and in contrast voters in chawls were  blissfully unaware of the harm they are doing to themselves by very unethically treating election as a seasonal income period.

Though I have lost the election, I have gained well wishers and friends in each chawl and building and look forward to work with them to improve the quality of our lives here. After all 491 residents have put faith in me.

ramitamehta@…

RE: your opinion reg. BMC elections is important

Hi Vinay,

Pls find my response below in line with your questions.

Best regards,

Satchidanand Joshi

1. If you did not vote in the BMC Elections, why? What would have made you personally vote?

I did not vote.

I have shifted to Pune(from Mumbai) a year back and still havent got the ration card created/updated.

I could have gone to Mumbai but due to some job constraints, I couldnt leave office.

Again, I would have voted if I would have had the ration card entry updated here in Pune.

2. What all can be done to get people to vote?

Its a very difficult question.

I think the lower class, frankly, is just ‘bought’ out by these politicians.

The Middle-class and higher-middle class feel that they just cant associate with the politicians and their corrupt ways.

They feel that politics is just a mire.

What they oversee is that precious votes are wasted.

Frankly, their involvement is lacking. They prefer to just  talk about politicians and the country’s apathy thereon. Individually, they are not prepared to do anything.

Perhaps, a solution would be to make it mandatory to have a few independent candidates from each circle/area.

These candidates should be people who have made a difference to the society – largely on their own by taking assistance from the legal/social machinery.

That would merit attention, a lot of it.

3. What action should be taken to prevent buying of votes?

A constitutional mandate, no less, should be drafted. The candidate should be barred from appearing for 10 years, at a minimum.

4. What are you complaints or suggestions regarding:

– manifestos – are they realistic; how to hold parties to account?

a complete hoax.

the timings are so typical. Why is the manifesto/portfolio circulated just before the elections? Isnt the timing obviously co-incidental?

accomplishments of various parties(vhetted by civic forums) should be read out 2 months before the elections in public meetings to underline achievements and

non-achievements. Quality of accomplishments should also be stated.

– election code of conduct, time schedule, fairness, etc.?

No comments

– candidate’s profiles, details, etc?

Again , an educational qualification of graduation(minimum) should be a MUST.

– voter’s list accuracy, registration, easy access, etc?

Vote counting should be transparent and immediate.

The more the delay, more the chance of fake votes and/or other malafide ways to distort results.

i did cast my vote. Our elected represantatives should move with the masses
and not with the classes. They should, instead of sitting in the party
office all the time visit their constituency by foot,one area at a time
atleast twice a week, so they can cover their full area in a month or two.
Then only they will be able to understand and resolve the complaints of
public.

It is said that in our area i.e. Kandivli west area of yogesh sagar they
have supplied garbage disposal trolleys to all buildings how ever in my
locality some 20 buildings they have not approached to any of us !!!!!!! Are
we not tax payers????Even condition of road i.e.main s. V road at the
junction of s.v. road nd dalvi road malad side, if your corporator would
walk he can understand the condition , it gets worst in the rainy days
because of more height of stormwater drainaige than road’s.thanks to the
owner of the structuure at the junction, said to be strong rss worker and
supporter, the corporater wants us to give complain in writing to take
action, as he himself is afraid of backlash from party cadre or that rss
functionery??? Ha ha ha what a pity????I do not think you too can do any
thing in this mattre.

Dear Vinay,

1. The voting is held in Municipal Schools- in the case of the Malabar Hill constituency it was held in the Mahalaxmi Municipal school on the first floor-

I found many senior citizens who had come to vote returning home as they found it difficult to climb the steps.

Many were unaware of producing an identity card and hence returned home and never returned.

apparently it was mentioned in the newspapers but the electronic media did not carry this information.

I suggest that every candidate sends his manifesto through the newspaper as an insert ( maybe in the Sunday newspapers before the election)- each citizen sees the manifesto at a glance ( more like a spreadsheet) and then decides on his/her choice.

I think there should be a concentrated effort to get the Youth involved since they are 55% of our population and for the city and country to change, there participation is crucial.

There should be more Idendpendent candidates supported by Citizens groups.

regards,

Poonam A. Lalvani
Managing Trustee

Elections come & go , nothing really happens. Nobody is committed nor dedicated.

I did vote & got 10 others to do the same by pulling them out of their houses,saying come on lets go.       Volunteers could be there at every society or 10 buildings to pull the people out of their lethargy to go & vote.   Basically nobody is really interested because nobody really knows the truth about the candidates .     All information on the candidates should be known 1 mth. in advance.             Candidates should stand before their costituencies to say the truth about themselves       . Pamphlets should be distributed to all the people,   know your candidate   .  Age,   year of QUalification.  Work done all details should be known.   Background of the family too is imp.            BMC  elections should  be independent of parties.  What are the grievances of the people should be known.

Regular meetings need to be held with the peole after the candidate is elected to let the people know what work is done & how, & what needs to be done.  Evaluation of the candidate by the people, on what has been done would give proof of the work done by him/ her.  There should be no reservations of any kind anywhere in anything.    EQUAL  opportunities should be given to all, for evrything, even for education.

It should be the mandate of the gov. to give opportunities to all  the poor to be educated.

Sent: Tuesday, February 06, 2007 10:12 PM

Could you please tell me where to register myself as a voter?

I live on Bhulabhai Desai Road, near Benzer .

thanks.

Mrs. V Jhaveri

From: Ajit Kucheria

We could not vote since our names are not in voter’s list.The area of Parel has a lot of  new bldgs & hence the voters list needs to be updated immediately.

Regards
Ajit

I think we have not enlisted one important issue in this list. Many individuals do not believe in current candidates or political parties and want to use option of negative voting. An adequate publicity for option of negative voting is required. Also, most of my friends complained that forms for negative vote were not available. or the option wasn’t explained to them in a satisfactory manner by the concerned officers.

Citizens are entitled to know every available option for voting and hence option of negative voting must be part of it. The process should be simplified, explained and complaints regarding the same must be addressed quickly.

with regards,

Laxmikant Deshpande

February 7, 2007

Respected Sir.

Now the Municipal election results have been announced and it is now time for the corporators to think about the various problems which have been raised by the citizens to the various parties.  The list is already available with your good self. I am preparing a small brief on some of the important issues to be taken up satisfactorily on a long term and short basis so that the citizens will feel the results of the action.

In the meanwhile I feel that it is desirable for your party and the Shiva Sena to provide the E-mail IDs, address and telephone Numbers Of the elected corporators. If some of some do not have they should take necessary action. Our area is in the Tilak Nagar, Cheda Nagar and Pestomsagar, the ward No. being 149 and our elected representative is Shri. Raja Chougule of the Shiva Sena. Citizens convey their Best Wishes to both the parties and for successful solutions to the various problems of the citizens.

With Beast Wishes.

V.Gopal  (part 3)

Subject: Re: election responses compiled

Dear Mr. Somani,

I have read the responses and feel that the point of voters list needs to be rectified. I mean residents in a particular ward must have their names and addresses checked in order to ensure they can cast their vote on voting day. In future we should ensure that no registered voter returns without casting his/her vote. The BMC should ensure to have checked the voters list well in advance of the campaigning and pass on the voters card to every resident in their respective wards.

There is no need for a bunch of supporters to enter every building and canvas for their candidate, instead just 1 supporter can drop leaflets with the security and not go from door to door disturbing the peace of the residents. They can contact the Chairman or Secretary of the society for permission to meet the members in a common forum.

We observed that a group of 50 supporters on 25 motorcycles entered the society and kept honking right throughout their drive in the society. They did not stop anywhere but were on bikes to improve visibility of their leader. This should be stopped as it can prove dangerous to small kids playing in the society.

The good part was that our names were on the voting list and we did exercise our voting rights. The names on the list were located easily and the process with the electronic ballot has made things very simple.

These are few of my views.

Thanks and regards,

Abraham Moses

Hi Vinay,

I already made a post (it appears at #20093). I have just three suggestions:

1. Voters should be given enough time to update the Voter List. This list must be made available on the Internet. Proper instructions must be given on the procedure of updation (what documents, where to apply, who to apply to, how long will it take). This should be an ongoing system – and not just at the time of elections. (I must admit my own ignorance, if this procedure is already in place!)

2. The Internet must display the area maps of which buildings are covered under which polling ceentre. This will avoid running from pillar to post on the last day (see my wonderful experience below).

3. The officials sitting at each polling centre MUST be trained well enough. They must have area maps with them, they must know where the next nearest centres are. They must be fullly aware of documentation required. They must have adequate number of forms ready (the centre I went to, did not have the “protest-vote” form and one lady was persistent – she told the officer that she was willing to wait till 5.30pm to get that form as she was sure she wanted to cast a “no-vote” and the officials sitting there were clueless about this !!).

I think these must be implemented to make the voting procedure a painless one. I think most people don’t go to vote as half the time they are not sure whether their names will appear there or not and the entire exercise will be a waste – so let’s call their bluff !!

Thanks,

Sandeep N. Ohri

snohri2004@…

http://snohri.blogspot.com

My own experience:

1. I had moved residence from Four Bungalows to Kandivili (E) – and like many other people did not get the electoral rolls updated. However I had voted in the last State Assembly elections and had retained my ‘voting slip.’ I checked my name on the Internet and it appeared along with the names of my neighbours. So I went on voting day, to vote.

2. I went to the booth (of the Assembly elections) – as that was the one listed on the Internet – but was told to go to another booth (nearer my old building). The officials over there were not sure WHERE I needed to go – the so-called volunteers (of the parties that sit outside on the road in their own makeshift booths) gave me three different places to go. They were clueless – I don’t know who trains them (if at all).

3. So I went to my old building and found some “party-volunteers” sitting nearby. they guided me to the nearest booth (though they also couldn’t find my name in their “lists”). When I went to the polling centre that they had identified, my name was not to be found under my own building’s name ! So I asked the officials present there as to where could the next polling centre be (as there was confusion about buildings on oone side of the road being here – and the other side, being someplace else). I was amazed to find out that the Officilas sitting there did not know WHERE was the next nearest polling centre !

4. I finally went back to my old building to get those party-volunteers to help me out – or alternately, file a complaint. When one learned gentlemen pointed out that he had seen my name but in some other building’s list ! He was nice enough to locate my name – and it WAS listed under another building’s name (alongwith all my neighbours’ names). He gave me a slip and sent me back, with the room no.

5. I went there – waited in queue at the room no., went in at my turn, only to be told that the name wasn’t there !! By then it had been an hour and a half in this exercise – and I was really at my wits’ end. But I was determined to vote – as long as my name was on the list – I didn’t care which building it was listed under. I went back to those officials – and personally went through all their voting books – located the name of the “wrong” building – located the room – and went and voted – and felt very proud of the work being completed in two hours .. something that should’ve taken less than 20 minutes.

Admittedly, a lot of it was because of my own mistake, but had I not been as determined to vote, I would’ve gone back after not finding my name in the first centre .. “kaun jhanjhat karegs” .. is the common refrain..

Very glad you are doing this- keep the focus on accountability and transparency.

One thing I want to  when any candidate wants to contest in any election what are the norms for that.

e.g.

Qualification

Experience  in any field

Age limit etc.

Also

Election committee says that we have to carry one identity proof with us for voting.

But if any body goes with ration card and election slip,

what is the guarantee the person is the right one or……

Regards,

Tulasidas Padala

Dear Vinay,

In this civic election though the ceiling of expences is Rs.100,000/- , unofficially every candidate from which ever party he or she is has spend minimum 5 Lacs which every individual in this Free Country know. Then why the farce of CEILING.

IF one really wants to check that, then the work should be given to the NGO who has finance men working and they should submit there report daily to EC.

Also the main purpose of CIVIC election is to get the right people elected and solve the civic issue’s before them, does this purpose get served?

Every corporator has fund, how many corporators use their complete quota, EC should make some law by which every corporator should submit to EC work done in his / her area and that report should be made available to the people in that area for comment.

Regards

Subject: Re: election responses compiled

Good compilation of issues to be addressed by The Election Commission.
Suggestion that the following to be added to the list: Election Commission should organize a 2 day compulsory workshop for all
candidates fighting for the election on ethics and human values.
Effective and impactful contents for the workshop could be organized. It
is possible for me to help in that regard. Thanks/regards

Sushil
Jain

My problem was one of the election officer wld not allow me to cast a protest vote.

Finally the other lady off icer prevailed.

Then the lady at ticking would not write protest vote as they had no protest vote provision.

I had to write with my own hands that i cast protest n did not vote so as to tally their vote counts

thanks once again for the opportunity to speak, and be heard…
here are some final thoughts about the bmc elections, if it is not too late to post them…

1.    There are blatant violations of the election code of conduct. We see posters, “helpdesks” near voting centres, and party campaigners working very hard all through election day. On February 1 at 9.30 am, I got a call from a lady who urged me to go and vote for a particular party. When I asked her who she was, she said that she was speaking from that party’s office near my house and was the secretary there. When I asked her if she knew she was breaking the election code of conduct, she said no, she was only doing what her employer had asked her to do, which is call all the residents in the area.
Of course, I have no proof of the call. Even if I did, the people behind it would simply deny knowledge of it.

2.    Women need a special status with regard to identification. I don’t think any man would really understand what we have to go through. We get married, and suddenly, due to no fault of our own, we have lost our identity. Our address changes. Our surname changes (in some cases women also get a new first name). We have to change all our documents – ration card, passport, voter’s id card, pan card. We have to change our name on our bank accounts, demat accounts, ppf accounts, … the list is endless. Can’t one central authority handle this? Can’t there be one desk where we can go, to get a central name-and-address change registered onto one document, based on our marriage certificate?  Then this name-and-address change document could be used to change all the various other documents. Or something. I have been running around from desk to desk for various changes and often been approached by slimy-looking “agents” who promise to get everything done. Hardly a nice state of affairs. I don’t know, there should be an easier way to get this “new” legal identity. Otherwise it is the usual wild goose chase – don’t have your ration card in your new name, so can’t get a new passport; don’t have a passport in your new name then how can you get a new ration card? Of course my driver’s license and passport and election card are in my maiden name, I was driving and voting and travelling before I got married, hey, I had a life. Now suddenly I don’t even have an identity. And my franchise was taken away from me.
I went to the usual polling centre where I have voted from many times before but found that my name was omitted from the list. I have a valid voters’ id card. But my new passport now proudly carries my “married” name, and I have no document with my maiden name on it. I had not applied for a change in my voters’ card, since I did not have proof of residence (we live in rented accommodation which keeps changing) or asked for my name to be removed from the list. I made the long trek to my mother’s house and the old constituency. So it was a huge disappointment for me not to be able to have my finger blackened.
Moreover, I do not have any clue what to do about this now. Any suggestions? Where do I begin to reclaim my franchise? Do I have to fill in form 6 or 7 or 8 or….???? I have tried emailing the chief election officer at the bmc’s official site thrice, but have got no reply.

3.    More than one person has suggested fining people who do not vote. While I agree that voting is important and necessary, for cases like the above, is a fine justified? On the contrary, I think a fitting compensation must be paid to all those sincere people who wanted to vote and made it to the polling booths but found that their names were illegally deleted from the list. That will get people to the booths. And it will also minimise these so-called “errors”.
4.    Rentals are a fact of life in Bombay. If you are on a short l’n’l agreement when an election crops up, legally are you supposed to vote from your permanent residence (wherever that may be) or your actual place of residence?
5.    Why can’t there be some sort of registration of voters along with registration of stamp duty when flats are purchased, or there could be a helpdesk to assist new residents in these big new buildings that are coming up everywhere.  I don’t see the bmc stretching themselves to do it, so perhaps builders could offer an “optional extra service” and help (for a fee, of course) get flat buyers settled in with a change of address in the voter’s card, ration card, etc. A bit idealistic, this, but maybe it could spark off some more practical idea?
6.    The bmc could get local ALMs LACGs to help update and maintain voter records. This process should actually start right now, while elections are still fresh in the minds of people, public memory being what it is…in fact, I think LACGs are a super idea and they have great potential. They could do a great job of informing the people of their area about candidates, manifestos, etc. and hopefully they will be politically neutral….
7.    About the candidates themselves, what can one say….all I can hope is, we see more and more young, honest and well-meaning individuals enter the fray, like the few that have emerged this year. More strength to them!

regards
nita

1.Voting :

I voted to the best among the worst parties – a lesser evil – as it is in contact with the voters.Vote is not merely a right, but should be a responsibility.Non-voting and even negative voting is anti-social.

2.How to get people to vote :

You can wake up a man who is sleeping, but not who is pretending to sleep.If the deluge of July 26,2005 doesn’t wake up people,nothing else will. As usual it is the rich and the middle-class who did not vote who are supposed to be educated and who always flaunt our democratic system.If you do not stand up to your own interest or welfare and that of your neighbours, you get the government you deserve, now don’t complain. Those who do not vote without any valid reason (illness,old age,out of town etc.) should be punished with the removal of their names from the voters’ list.

3. Buying of votes :

The constitution of Voters’ Council ( representatives of CHS, NGOs,public-spirited men & women) by the Election Commission in each mohalla and ward to keep a watch on candidates and their supporters. The expenditure to be borne by the Election Commission

We have to applaud the election of Shri Adolf D’Souza who has done commendable work in Juhu Area. People have spent their own money for election work.This is a ray of hope.

4.Some suggestions :

(a)Manifestoes which are mostly in general terms have lost all meaning as nobody follows them. The parties should be asked to give a time-bound grogramme and it should be justiciable in a court of law. Nobody should be allowed to make extravagant promises such as free houses unless they tell the voters how they are going to fulfill them.The parties have to be made accountable by publishing a newsletter/organising a meeting every quarter in their constituency where rival political parties/NGOs are present. This could be organised by the Voters’ Council.

(b) Voter’s slip to be provided by the Voters’ Council to reduce duplication.

(c) Voters’ Council to help in adding or deleting names from the Voters List.

(d) Candidates should be endorsed by at least 100/500/1000 voters and minimum deposit to be asked for.

(e) No banners or processions and even big meetings but only strret-corner meetings in the evenings. This will reduce expenditure and nuisance.

(f) Constitution of a non-political ‘Think-tank’ which analises the problems of Mumbai and comes out with solutions for the education of people and the political parties.

With good wishes,

M.D.Kini

I am not in position to comment on the elections concluded recently as they were biased on the part of communal line and against the curruption and anti people activities.

Regards,

B.Singh

Sent: Thursday, February 08, 2007 12:39 PM

Subject: Re: election responses compiled

I would like you to add the following in the third column for Point no. 4, ” —- and what is the outcome in case the number of such voters is sizeable or in other words that even a negative vote matters.”

Keep up the good work.

Regards,

Vinayak Naik

Till the very last day we did not receive any voter’s card in Colaba Bus
Station Area, Many voters experienced this in Colaba.
We did not know who was standing for which party
Lack of information by candidates through media like news paper of this area
in English News paper
Even had to search last minute for centres through people sitting on the
road with their tables full of lists.
All instructions in Marathi, I feel below Marathi names in English names of
candidate and party should be writtren to decifer for those who are not well
versed in reading Marathi, as it takes a lot of time.
I personally if a candidate ,when his/her area is small should atleast
undertake to visit homes and talk on one to one basis to housewives, elders
atleast on Sat-Sundays.
If candidates them selves procrastinate in meeting even voters, how will
they function when they have won and a potential problem in his
consistituency and pople come for help. BMC elections area of consituency is
small, and it sheer negligence of candidates that could be one of the causes
of poor turn out of voters, I personaly feel. True other factors could also
be considered
I voted as I did not want my vote to be wasted/misued . I always excercise
my right to vote.
I feel these above points should be considered next time around
Also some prominent areas in Candidates consistuency, a cloth banner
should be allowed to say who is standing as independpent or for any
particular party. A list of names of all candidates and their respective
parties or isnependent in just one cloth list well displayed at few traffic
junctions makes sense,reminds voters indirectly to keep that day
free -atleast 1 hr for voting.

Regards

Shirin