Meeting with ADM(E) and OC(EVM) at Kolkata on 4.9.2008

As requested by few districts, we agree to extend last date of handing over manuscripts to SLA at sub-divisions to 3.9.2008 from 28.8.2008.
However, please stick to this deadline and I'll review in the meeting on 4.9.2008.
Also, please bring Disposal Report on this SRER-II (in form 04) in the meeting.
-CEO

Date of Final Publication extended

Commission has agreed to extend the date of Final Publication of SRER-II 2008 to 22.9.2008 instead of 15.9.2008.

Grades to DEOs on Quality Control

Based on the quality of Quality Control Reports received till 19.8.2008 AN (last date was 18.8.2008, remember), I'd grade the DEOs as follows:-
Grade A+
South 24-Paraganas, Paschim Midnapore, Nadia, Purulia, CoochBehar and Hoogly
Grade A
Burdwan, Dakshin Dinajpur and Murshidabad
Grade B
Bankura, Birbhum, Darjeeling, Uttar Dinajpur, North 24-Paraganas and Purba Midnapore
Grade C
Jalpaiguri
Grade D *
Howrah, Malda and Kolkata
(* No reports)
-CEO,WB

Trial SMS Information System - Feedback Please

For 3 days from 18.8.2008, a trial version of an SMS information system has been launched. I'd request all Election Managers to try this out and give feedback on errors or otherwise, before we launch it publicly:-
- Write out the EPIC Number in the message text ABC1234567
- Send it to 94336-33333
You should get a return SMS showing the AC No & Name, Part No., Voter Sl No., Polling Booth Address.

Guidelines on Manuscripts Issued

An 8-page guideline on manuscripts (including Action Plan and Quality Control) has been issued vide no. 2002-Home(Elec) dt 12.8.2008.
All EROs/AEROs may see it.

Action Plan

Since the date of FP is not changing, the further action plan will be as follows:
-Data Entry Set Up by WTL at SubDivn Level: By 18.8.2008
-Handing over of DO's Copy of Rolls to local WTL Vendor with indication of photos to be removed on account of mismatched or repeated photos: By 18.8.2008
-Works relating to correction of Control Table, Language Correction, Image Removal, Rectification of Works relating to wrong part-assignment of electors: By 22.8.08
- Handing over manuscripts against forms 6,7,8,8A by EROs to local WTL: By 28.8.2008
- Handing over checklists to EROs by local WTL Vendor: By 5.9.2008
- Return of Corrected Checklist to WTL Vendor by ERO: By 8.9.2008
- Handing Over Final Supplement (including Front Page) by WTL Vendor to ERO: By 12.9.2008
- Printing and Final Publication by ERO (Subject to Commission Approval): On 15.9.2008

Write your observations on Quality Checking in this Blog

DM Nadia, OC Election Howrah, OC Election Bankura and others are writing their personal experiences and observations on Quality Checkings done by them, in this blog. See "Comments" under the previous Blog Post. Startling revelations are coming to light: for example, DM Nadia tells me that there are two parts without any images (Photo rolls without photos!) .
-I call upon all Election Managers to join the Quality Check Drive, read others' comments and add your own for all to see.
--CEO,WB
PS: I don't know if all election managers know that we've released on 31.7.08 a book called "Electoral Registration - A Quick Reference for all Election Managers". This is being sent to all DEOs, EROs, AEROs etc. In case anyone wants to collect it from our office, we'd be happy to hand over a copy.

Hints on quality checking as per GO No. 195

I went to booth 27 of 158-Kolkata(Port) yesterday (7.8.08) afternoon for a Quality Control Check for obvious errors. Few hints:-
1. Mentally prepare yourself that it'll take long (It took me 53 minutes; there were 1495 electors)
2. Look at the photo, decide whether it is for Female/Male and then tally with what's printed under "Sex" and "Age" - not vice versa (This is because after the first few hundred or so, the brain gets biased by what's written in text and often the images aren't so good anyway).
3. To pinpoint repeated images, it is wiser to look left-to-right along rows rather than top-to-bottom along columns. (Because that is how the serial number progresses)
4. Take a Red Pen and circle the image and the sex within the same circle on the roll available with the DO. Put a signed remark at the end stating the total rectifications (photo-removal) that has to be done. (I found 24 mismatches).
5. Take a diary along. Note the details. Follow up later with WTL so that errors are indeed rectified by WTL on and from 14.8.08 when they are supposed to install computers and operators at subdivisions.
-Debashis Sen, CEO

Last Date of Filing Claims & Objections Extended till 14.8.2008

Vide its notification no. 23/WB/2007 dated 5.8.2008, the Election Commission of India has extended the last date of application of Claims and Objections by seven days i.e. up to 14.8.2008.

All EROs, AEROs, DO.s and BLO.s are to be informed immediately regarding this extension AND also about the mandatory quality checks mentioned in our no. 195(19)WBCE/08 dated 5.8.2008.

Top Priority for Suo-Motu Checking of Rolls

ECI's instruction no. 23/2008/ERS dt 10.7.08 clearly states that EROs and DEOs are responsible for the quality of the rolls. In view of the reports of mistakes in rolls under publication coming to light, DEOs/DMs must make out a special programme involving EROs+AEROs+DOs+BLOs to ensure that obvious mistakes are corrected suo motu and error reports by political parties are attended to very promptly. There should be a 'zero tolerance' to this quality coontrol.
Please note that mismatched photos are to be removed from the rolls. Entries will come under the supplement for "Corrections".
I will expect an "Action Taken Report" from each DM/DEO on ensuring quality control by 14.8.2008