State Election Commission’s app to keep local polls fair and square
In a high-tech attempt to usher in transparency during next year’s myriad local body polls, the State Election Commission (SEC) is developing an application where candidates’ everyday expenditures can be updated. Furthermore, the data will be uploaded online immediately after the candidates file their nominations, which can also be done via the Internet.
The SEC had expected cooperation from the information technology department, but it was disappointed over not receiving the infrastructure required for this endeavour.
The panel’s initiative has been taken ahead of the elections that will take place in 200 local bodies in February next year, including the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation.
“Introducing an app to update the expenditure of the candidates is a priority. The candidates declare it (their information) with the commission, but the app will simplify the process and monitoring it will be easier. The commission also wants to reveal data of all the candidates filing nominations for the coming local body polls. We are also making the nomination-filing process digital. The public can access the data before selecting candidates. The changes will make the election process fair and transparent and increase public participation,” an SEC official said.
The election commission, this year, is going to involve university and college students, corporate houses, NGOs, banks and cooperative housing societies in the election process by offering them opportunities to create awareness, register new voters and update voters’ lists, among other things. The commission will use conventional as well as innovative approaches to reach out to the people. Advertisements will be not only be featured in newspapers but also receive airtime on the radio and television.
Messages will also be spread in theatres and via SMS and social media. Also, celebrities will be roped in for the campaigns appealing the people to vote, the official said. Also, the commission will use Google Maps for ward formation, he added.
“We are going to invite universities and research institutes to undertake research for the polls. Not many research papers are available on the issue,” the official said.
The SEC has also written to the government’s information technology department for not cooperating by providing up-to-date information and infrastructure. The commission has complained about lackadaisical attitude of the department ahead of the polls.
