A
first-of-its-kind survey in the country has found that 8% voters in
Maharashtra reported coercion and open threats in their localities
during earlier elections. Up to 73% voters complained about the total
absence of even basic facilities such as drinking water, toilets, shade,
separate queues and ramps for seniors and physically challenged
individuals, as well as long queues as hurdles to casting their vote.
The survey was conducted by the Directorate of Economics and Statistics.
While 26.7% voters said they faced difficulties in their locality during polls, around 8.3% pointed to coercion and threats by booth operators of political parties. Around 15% cited other difficulties that they could not spell out. Thus, an average of 16.6% voters faced "serious difficulties". These have been categorized as vulnerable pockets and are a cause for concern for the election commission.
The survey also revealed that nearly 66.7% voters have issues with 'discouraging' long queues. Around 51.7% said lack of toilets, drinking water and ramps for the elderly and the physically challenged make voting "an unpleasant experience". In cities where several schools and colleges are converted into polling booths, toilets are often shut as managements are wary of the mess.
When the surveyers asked those who had not registered in the first place for reasons, many said they did not even know when and where the ID cards were being made. Around 81% said they were put off by the long procedure at the photo ID card drive. Though around 63% were not aware of the commission's voting campaign, 'Your vote is invaluable, use it wisely' was seen as the most appealing of the commission's messages.
Election commission officials have said they are taking all measures this poll season to avoid such complaints.
Source : TOI , 15th April 2014
While 26.7% voters said they faced difficulties in their locality during polls, around 8.3% pointed to coercion and threats by booth operators of political parties. Around 15% cited other difficulties that they could not spell out. Thus, an average of 16.6% voters faced "serious difficulties". These have been categorized as vulnerable pockets and are a cause for concern for the election commission.
The survey also revealed that nearly 66.7% voters have issues with 'discouraging' long queues. Around 51.7% said lack of toilets, drinking water and ramps for the elderly and the physically challenged make voting "an unpleasant experience". In cities where several schools and colleges are converted into polling booths, toilets are often shut as managements are wary of the mess.
When the surveyers asked those who had not registered in the first place for reasons, many said they did not even know when and where the ID cards were being made. Around 81% said they were put off by the long procedure at the photo ID card drive. Though around 63% were not aware of the commission's voting campaign, 'Your vote is invaluable, use it wisely' was seen as the most appealing of the commission's messages.
Election commission officials have said they are taking all measures this poll season to avoid such complaints.
Source : TOI , 15th April 2014
No comments:
Post a Comment