The Election Commission of India has suggested that the State election authority, office of the Chief Electoral Officer, put in place an “online SMS gateway” to help eligible voters search their names in the voters’ lists.
Senior Deputy Election Commissioner Umesh Sinha said that the facility would enable voters to send SMS messages to the election authority incorporating their details and they could be given replies through the online gateway making it easier for them to find their names along with the polling station to which the respective voter had been attached. The election authority had been asked to make the proposed helplines in the districts “very, very active” so that complaints lodged by voters, be it on deletion of names or any other election-related issues, are addressed without any delay.
In addition to the booth-level officers and district officials entrusted with the election duties, senior officials should conduct surprise checks at different polling stations to verify voters’ lists and other arrangements that were being made. “Such visits will help us identify officials who are found wanting in discharge of duties and instant action can be initiated against them,” he said.
The Chief Electoral Officer, on his part, should take up awareness campaign using available media including the social media to educate voters about the election related works. “It is going to be intensive work in the next fortnight. Officials concerned should regularly review the progress of works if need be on a daily basis,” he said.