Photographs in "You Tube"

We have uploaded few photos as a slide show / album in You Tube site.

To see it, click in the following link:-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BdFdwJe5z8o

Alternatively, go to www.youtube.com and search for

elections west bengal

Interesting Photos / Video Clippings by 2nd June 2009

To send interesting photos/ video-clippings of good quality to the Commission, I require CDs containing "captivating visuals" by 2nd June (Tuesday) 2009.

The visuals should have proper captions, locational details and datelines.

[Reg the photo above: "EVM Awareness on Horse-cart: 29 April 2009: BDO Galsi 2, Burdwan"]

(Please also refer to our memo nos. 4536-Home(Elec) dated 18.5.2009, 4605-Home(Elec) dated 25.5.2009 and my earlier blog posted in this site on 5.4.2009 with title "Advisory: Photograph and Documentation" )

Special EPIC Campaign for Alia hit areas

Cyclone Alia.

Those who have lost their EPICs in the Cyclone Alia can get duplicates free. DEOs should organise special campaigns for this. Formal circular being issued.

Post-Counting Clean Up

All DEOs are advised to ensure that premises used as Counting Venues, DCRCs etc are cleaned up and restored to its original condition by the agency that had been engaged for constructing the temporary infrastructure in the venue.
No payment may be made unless the agency produces a certificate from the officials of the school/ college/ institution that the restoration / clean-up has been made to their satisfaction.

Hourly Poll Percentage Reports: Calling 3rd Phase Districts

As desired by the Commission, for the 3rd phase, poll percentage figures should be compiled hourly and transmitted to us.

Necessary action may be taken by all accordingly.

Advisory: Separate Queue for Senior Citizens

Senior Citizens may be given preference in voting. Form separate queues if required. Further: as indicated earlier, try to use benches in the front of the queue so that people can sit instead of stand in the queue - at least the ones who are closer to the door and so may have been waiting for a while.

SMS BASED INFORMATION SYSTEM

All first phase districts may please use the SMS based communication plan energetically!

Awareness for Braille : DM Nadia's Comment

I reproduce hereunder DM Nadia's Comment posted elsewhere in the blog:

"Associations of persons with visually impaired can be helpful to all districts in tracking the electors having knowledge of Braille and their parts. PrO of such polling booths may be given briefing at DC day and also demonstration as to how the Braille System actually works at booth. Unless precaution is taken and PrO is alerted, Braille ballot paper may be unutilised at all the booths. DSWO and NGOs engaged in welfare of disabled can be really helpful
Onkar Singh Meena, DM Nadia"

Observer Details in Newspapers

Relevant information on Observers (PC Name, tel no. , place of stay etc) should be published in3 leading district dailies and district page/edition of one State Level English and one State Level Bengali newspaper by DEOs. (For Darjeeling District, in State Level Nepali newspaper too). The publication should be repeated on P-1 day also.

Micro Observers to be selected by Observers - no need for computerised randomisation

1. Micro Observers should be selected from the list of eligible officers by the observers 

2. Polling stations will be assigned manually by Observers a day prior to the day of departure

3. It is not necessary to randomise the selection process of Micro Observers by using computer software.

(This partially amends our earlier instructions)

Ref: ECI Instruction dt 18.4.2009

-CEO

Presiding Officer's Mobile to be in SWITCHED OFF Mode

In partial modification of its earlier orders, the Commission has said that Presiding Officers will be allowed to keep their mobile phones - but in a switched-off mode.

This may be explained to all PrOs.

No CUG: We've discussed with BSNL. Due to technical reasons and short time available it seems that we have to drop the idea of having CUG enabled SIM cards.

Training in "You Tube" site

As discussed in the video-conference, training videos have been uploaded on You Tube at the following site:

http://www.youtube.com/tme

Video Conference with DEOs/DMs on 13.4.2009 at 4 pm

The Election Commission held a VC with all CEOs today (12.4.2009) regarding Communication Plan (ComET).

I'll hold a follow-up meeting on 13.4.2009 at 4 pm through the ROT/SIT Video Conference from Roopkala Kendra.

All DMs/DEOs, ADM (E), OC(Communication), System/Asst System Manager, OC (Election) etc may please attend.

RO(Kolkata-Dakhshin) and RO (Kolkata-Uttar) may please attend at the Roopkala Kendra, Salt Lake.

-CEO

PS: Please keep technical persons of ROT/SIT of districts may please be kept informed.

MCC Violation: Party-wise FIRs lodged - Report

We'd asked all DEOs to furnish report on party-wise list of FIRs lodged (as on 31.3.2009) for MCC violation. Some districts have responded. Other DEOs may furnish the report immediately.
I'll review on Tuesday (14.4.09).
-CEO
PS: Even after filing FIRs, if the defacement or the offence concerned has not been removed, take a photo, authenticate it, then have it witnessed and then remove it. Start from public buildings. The expenditure should be clearly attributable and reimbursement officially demanded within 3 days from the party concerned. This letter should also go into the case file and copy communicated to the IO and APP conducting the case in the judicial court.

Advisory: Photograph and Documentation

The other day, I was shown a Press Clipping showing that EVM awareness is going on in a Boat. We need to capture interesting events in the course of GE2009 by digital photographs. I'd advise all ROs/DEOs to dedicate a creative person with a digital camera to capture such events. These may or may not relate to polling preparations. Some examples:
(1) Interesting campaign modes by political parties, use of traditional folk art, witty cartoons/graffiti
(2) Handicapped persons being helped, visually challenged ones using Braille
(3) Ideal / best polling booth lay-out
(4) Interesting patterns in voters' queue
(5) Any extreme booths (least no of voters/ most remote)
(6) Novel modes of transport (pony/ van rickshaw/ boat/ tractor/)
(7) Celebrities queueing up
(8) CPF and police in interesting poses
(9) Media moving with camera
(10) School benches used to make voters sit, rather than stand, in queue (I saw this in Mizoram Elections where I went as a Special Observer)
(11) Any memorable event (Think!).
- In short, I'd expect each RO to come up with a CD with interesting photos with proper captions, after the GE2009.
I plan to upload these later in Flickr and You Tube etc for the world to see.
-CEO, WB

Report in 2A, 2B for Communication Plan : Reminder

Commission has mandated two new reports:

2B: For District Communication Plan, and

2A: For AC-level Communication Plan.

Except for Darjeeling, Uttar Dinajpur, Hoogly and Purba Midnapur, others have not given the reports.

Commission pressing hard.

Please expedite. 

Dry Run of State-Wide Communication Plan on 1.4.2009

Between 12 noon and 4 pm, officers at all levels - State, District, Subdivision and Block - are expected to contact booth-wise contact persons to see if the Communication System is working, that the Contact Person is responding**.

Thereafter corrective action should be taken. A district-wise factual report should be sent to State Communication Officer by 6 pm on 1.4.2009 by email* to

santanujan@yahoo.com

 with the words "DRY RUN: Feedback, ____ District" in the Subject Line by District Communication Officer.

*  (no fax/ written report, please).

** 100% target verification by BDOs/ Sector Officers advised; 25% target by SDOs/EROs; 5% target by DEOs 

Advisory on Effective Training to PP

1. Train PPs in small batches. Use Sector Officers for training PPs.

2. Take a test. Multiple choice. On second day of training. Correction by the PPs themselves, by interchanging so that everyone checks the script of his neighbour...Spl late evening training to those who don't qualify

Advisory on Strong Room

Use temporary bamboo-and-wood racks (record-room / library-style) to increase the holding capacity of EVMs in strong rooms. Increased capacity will be required since now all 7 ACs will be counted in one venue and availability of rooms is sometimes a problem.

Counting Centre : Rationalise

We've issued new guidelines for rationalising counting centres. DEOs may please rethink in depth and re-organise and propose. For making any exceptions, DEOs will have to speak to me with reasons.
Basically it says as follows:
1. All ACs in one PC to be counted in one premise.
2. Counting Centre to be in PC
3. If adequate number of halls is not there, counting may be taken up AC-wise, sequentially.
This calls for a break from tradition and lateral thinking.
-CEO

Calendar for EVM Randomisation, PP Randomisation and PP Training

FIRST PHASE DISTRICTS:

EVM Randomisation: By 8th April (Ist Phase) and by 23rd April (2nd Phase)

PP Randomisation: By 5th April (Ist Phase), on 22/23rd April (2nd Phase) and on 28th April (3rd Phase)

PP Training: By 15th April (Ist Day) and by 26th April (2nd Day)

SECOND PHASE DISTRICTS:

EVM Randomisation: By 14th April (Ist Phase) and by 30th April (2nd Phase)

PP Randomisation: By 10th April (Ist  Phase), on 29/30th April (2nd Phase) and on 5th May (3rd Phase)

PP Training: By 20th April (Ist Day)) and by 3rd May (2nd Day)

THIRD PHASE DISTRICTS:

EVM Randomisation: By 18th April (Ist Phase) and by 6th May (2nd Phase)

PP Randomisation: By 15th April (Ist Phase), on 5/6th May (2nd Phase) and on 11th May (3rd Phase)

PP Training: By 25th April (Ist Day) and by 9th May (2nd Day)

Can applications for inclusion be received by EROs now?

Yes.

Under continuous updation, applications can be received by ERO throughout the year.

So if someone wants to deposit a Form 6/7/8/8A, and if it is complete, it can be received by the ERO concerned at the office of the ERO.

Disposal, however, will be as per standing guidelines of ECI as applicable in an election year. 

Complaints in the Public Domain: Special Cell by EROs

Roll / EPIC related complaints appearing in newspapers and other media should be handled by each ERO with sensitivity and care. A special register should be made by the ERO, indicating action taken. The complainant may be informed over telephone or in writing about the outcome.

PHE Department to Make Water, Sanitation etc arrangements for CPF

For providing logistic arrangements for staying of CPF Companies upon their arrival, the SP provides the first point of contact. As decided by Home Department, for providing water, toilet, sanitation and other facilities, the PHED would do the needful and as such DEOs may inform SPs accordingly. DMs must not spend any election funds (out of 2015 head of account) on arranging logistics of CPF.

Daily Law & Order Reports

Districts need not send daily Law & Order reports to CEO office directly. 

DMs may advise SPs also.

The procedure may be as follows:-

1. SP will prepare daily law and order report in LOR-I. He will give copy to DM and to DG/Police Directorate. Police Directorate will compile reports and send to Home Department.

2. Kolkata Police will give report to Home Department

3. Home (Political) Department will compile reports and send consolidated report in LOR-II format to CEO.

Release / transfer of all Sector Officers / election related officers within 31.3.2009 positively

Few sector officers/ other election related officers have not been released/ transferred although they are in the same office for more than 3 years.
DMs / DEOs must personally ensure that ALL such officers are released latest by 31.3.2009 without waiting for successors.

Inventory of Video Cameras available on hire

A large number of video cameras will need to be hired for video tracking of events not only on the poll day but also during the campaign.
All DMs and ROs must take stock of the availability of such hired cameras within the district.
I'll need an assessment within a week.

Rules for Campaigning in Educational Institutions relaxed

Earlier, political campaign in school grounds etc were banned. Now it has been relaxed somewhat. The revised guidelines are as follows:-
-Academic calendar can't be disturbed. In other words, no campaigning within school hours; no special school holiday because some someone wants to campaign.
- School management agrees.
- SDO also permits: SDO's role is to see that permission is given equitably to all parties on request.
-User agrees to restore the ground to the condition as it was before using (ie, clean it and repair damages after use)

District Profile, DM Meeting and Commission Meet

The Election Commission is likely to meet DMs/DEOs, SPs and others in Kolkata on 19.3.2009.
I will hold a meeting with all DMs and RO (Kolkata North & South) in my office on 18.3.2009 at 3 pm; this has been discussed with and has the approval of Chief Secretary.

Before this, all DEOs may please send by 17.3.09, an Updated District Profile in the Commission-prescribed proforma that was circulated few weeks back (This report was furnished by all DEOs but in many cases several columns were blank).
-CEO

Data back-up for Manuscripts and EPIC

The data back-up for
(1) Manuscrpts for 2nd supplement
(2) -do- for Service Voters
(3) EPIC back ups
must reach CEO Office as the following schedule:
Ist phase districts: by 20.3.2009
IInd phase districts: by 25.3.2009
IIIrd phase districts: by 30.3.2009
-CEO

Communication Strategy: Daily Reports

On 9th March, we held the meeting on Communication Strategy with all districts.
We agreed that:
(a) For the official communication channel, there would be earmarked Communication Officers at the district, sub-division and block level and that daily reports in the general format "cumulative progress till last day/ progress during the day/progress till date" would be reported in given excel formats
(b) For the non-official PIN contact persons, relevant details would be finalised soon and uploaded in the cyberspace in given format so that we can have a dry run on 1.4.09
RO Kolkata Uttar is the first in giving the daily report as in (a) above.
Well done, C.R.Das !..... How about other ROs/DEOs ?
-CEO

ERO level standing committee

With approval of ECI, we are going to issue an instruction that each of the 294 EROs will form immediately an ERO-level standing committee of all recognised political parties. Their functions would be as follows:
1. To ensure transparency in the disposal of applications in forms 6, 7 , 8. 8A received by EROs/VRCs(in Kolkata/S-24Pg) under continuous updation
2. Oversee computerised tracking of the disposals so as to ensure that all applications received till one month before first date of nomination are accepted or rejected with clear reasons.
3. Take necessary supervisory action in respect of BLO-BLA meetings already organised or to recommend holding of further such booth-level meeting to DEO.

- We hope to issue the official circular within a day or two.
CEO

Burdwan and Hoogly: Examples of Great MCC Supporters !

Today (6.3.09) morning I saw in Anandabazar that there was a picture of a political graphiti on the walls of a Govt Building. I sent an SMS to DM Burdwan stating that a notice be issued by 3 pm that either the party erases the wall writing within 24 hours or else we file FIR in thana.

DM reports by SMS that wall writing is removed by 11 am; he sends me photo of cleaned wall by  3 pm through email.

Well done Manish Jain !! Is everybody seeing? How about our own district MCC squads, are they seeing?

***

 DM Hoogly> Maintaining MCC Violation Register party-wise>sending reports daily to me, from first date of press release > already intervened and stopped MCC violation in at least two cases.

Well done Neelam Meena. Are other DMs seeing?

***

CEO

6.3.2009

Meeting of ADMs/AddlDEOs & OC(Comm) in Kolkata on Monday the 9th March09

We'd asked for PIN/Communication details in prescribed proforma by 10.3.09. But 10.3.09 is a holiday. So we wish to have the report by 9.3.09. We also wish to conduct a quick workshop on information management so that we can build up a personnel infrastructure for daily reports on the following from every district:

- Daily instances of Model Code violation and action taken thereon

- Daily figures on EPIC distribution

-Daily figures on Continuous Updation

- Daily figures on Nomination (when it starts)

-Daily figures on Observer reporting (when it begins)

-Daily transmission of affidavits filed by candidates (when it begins)

-Other communication strategy

I will hold a meeting on 9.3.09 at 12 noon at our office.  Each district magistrate may please nominate (i) ADM(Election) and (ii) One Computer savyy OC(Communication).

For Kolkata: DLRS may pl nominate (i) Jt DLRS, Shri Sen (ii) One Computer Savyy OC(Communication); RO (Kolkata Uttar) may please nominate (i) Shri Saik Ahmed and (ii) One computer savyy OC (Communication)

-CEO,WB 

District Information Report: Missing Districts

In yesterday's (4.3.2009) VC, I requested all DM/DEOs to send the District Information Reports by today.

We don't seem to have received the reports from the following districts:-

1. Malda

2. Murshidabad

3. North 24-Paraganas

4. Kolkata

Defaulting DEOs must send these at once, please.

-CEO

District-Wise Information

We'd wanted district-wise information in a prescribed format by 25.2.2009.

The official letter of this office had memo no. 081/JSSG/ dt 23.2.09.

Only two districts* have sent the information so far.

I received a phone call from the Commission urging immediate reply.

All DEOs are requested to send the information to Shri S.Gosh, Jt CEO, by 3.3.09.

-CEO

*West Midnapore and Uttar Dinajpur

For DMs of Burdwan/Presidency Divisions

We are having a VC on 4.3.2009 at 12 noon through the ROT/SIT Terminals.

The VC has been fixed with Chief Secy's approval.

It seems that P&RD had planned a Divisional Review Meeting on 4.3.09.

I've talked to the Principal Secy, P&RD.

He has agreed that in the P&RD meeting of some districts scheduled on 4.3.09, DMs need not attend: AEOs may do so.

So all DMs and SDOs, BDOs, ADM(El), etc will please attend the VC on 4.3.09 as scheduled.

-CEO

Meeting by DMs with SP & Mobile Service Providers: Report by 5.3.09

I'd requested in my no. 47 dt 20.2.2009 to hold a meeting with mobile service providers & SP to identify mobile shadow zones.

As directed by the ECI, a report on this must reach us by 5.3.09. (Recall that I'll be having BDO/SDO/DM VC the day before, on 4.3.09)

I myself held a state-level meeting here in Kolkata on 28.2.09; I give below a few points for DMs:-

(i) In some cases, BSNL / Mobile Service Providers cannot commission towers due to lack of power, GP Permission, Municipal Permission or Land Permission. Tea Garden areas are also some problems. DM may intervene keeping such towers in view that will be commissioned before the General Elections.

(ii) Theft and interference with running/ projects are a problem. Till the elections, OCs of Police Stations should be sensitised to help them whenever requested.

(iii) I was told that some service providers may not have senior technical executives at the district level. As such, DMs may hold the meetings with the nominated local representative of the service providers.

-CEO

ROT/SIT Video Conference with BDOs, SDOs, DMs etc on 4.3.2009 at 12 noon

I will hold a Video Conference with all BDOs, SDOs, DMs and other election related officers on 4.3.2009 at 12 noon. The Video Conference will be telecast by Roopkala Kendra in Salt Lake. All operators of ROT/SIT/Lok Sanchar may be alerted to keep the equipment ready. SDOs may attend the nearest ROT/SIT centre as convenient. 

Agenda notes follow.

-CEO

Adjourned BLO-BLA meeting on Sunday 1-3-2009

We had an all political party meeting today.

Many parties felt that many BLOs were not present on 23-2-09 although their BLAs were present.

In modification to an earlier blog of mine, it is now decided, in consultation with political parties, that all such adjourned BLO-BLA meetings willtake place on Sunday the 1st March 2009 at 12 noon.

All DEOs/ EROs may pl. take action accly.

-CEO

Statutory is Green, Non-Statutory is Yellow

In the DEOs' meeting on 19.2.2009, we decided that forms & envelopes used in booths would be colour coded.

Now Commission has sent written instructions in their no. 464/INST/2009-EPS dt 23.2.2009. The colour code would be as follows:

Green: Colour of Statutory Forms and Covers

Yellow: Colour of Non-Statutory Forms and Covers

Brown: Colour of Packet containing manuals, indelible ink etc

Blue: Colour of Packet containing other items.

This slightly modifies what we discussed on 19th. Further details, including samples of covers, are contained in ECI's instructions.

-CEO

  

BLO-BLA Meeting On 23.2.2009

It is midday of 23.2.2009 now. BLO-BLA meetings are taking place all over the state.

However, few complaints are being received that BLOs have not been able to come on time.

All DEOs/EROs/AEROs are requested to take stock of the matter and hold adjourned meetings on 26.2.2009 at the same time/place under intimation to BLAs.

A feedback may be sent to us.

-CEO

23.2.2009

Decisions in all DM/DEOs' meeting in Kolkata on 19.2.2009

We took the following decisions:-
1. Ensure that all undistributed EPICs are distributed by 28.2.2009. Make suitable distribution programmes. Intimate electors individually to collect their cards by 28.2.2009.
2. Give EPICs to 100% electors by 7.3.2009. Make district specific programmes. Send details of EPIC programmes so drawn up to CEO office helpline (to OSD Santanu Basu) so that 1506 Anandababu helpline is kept informed.
3. Set up control room in district HQ to monitor complaints on violations of Model Code of Conduct once MCC comes into force. Publicise these numbers locally.

4. Pinpoint mobile shadow areas where satellite phones, police wireless or even flag signals (think of hills) or speed boats (think of Sunderbans) may be required. Motto: Information turnaround time of 30 minutes. Send details in proforma to CEO Office (OSD Santanu Basu) . 
5. Complete database on Polling Personnel by 28.2.2009 and inform CEO office (OSD Purnendu Maji)
6. Accord priority to old EVM shifting to Andhra Pradesh: no trucks should be kept waiting: take steps to clear memory even before trucks come.
7.Read checklists for DEOs/ ROs/ Sector Officers/ Presiding Officers in Election Commission Website.
8. Hold daily election co-ordination meetings with all officers at district, subdivision and block at a fixed time. For CEO Office, this is held daily between 11 and 11.30 am and election officials across the state are discouraged from calling our officers during this period unless it is very urgent. (So, our accessibilty is 24x7 - 30 min per day !).
- CEO

Draft Calendar of Events: GE2009

In the agenda item with the letter convening the meeting of DMs/DEOs on 19.2.09, it was indicated that a draft Calendar of events would be placed in this blog on which discussions would be held in the meeting before adoption.
The draft is given below. We may discuss on 19.2.09.
-CEO
DRAFT CALENDAR OF EVENTS (For discussion on 19.2.09)
1.
Proposal for Appointment of Returning Officers-Approval of Commission thereof
By 20-2-2009
2.
Proposal for modifications in the list of approved Polling Stations – Approval of Commission thereof
15-2-2009 to 07-03-2009
3.
EPIC Programme + EVM Awareness in booth clusters
16-2-2009 to 07-03-2009
4.
Training of System /Asst System Managers at Kolkata
26.2.2009
5.
Computerizations of Polling Personnel Database
By 28-2-2009
6.
Training of Master Trainers for EVMs by ECIL experts to District Level Officers at
Kolkata
02-03-2009 to 03-03-2009
7.
Proposal for Additional Assistant Returning Officers- Approval of Commission thereof
By 07-03-2009 to 21-03-2009
8
First Level checking of EVM & District wise numbering
By 10-3-2009
9.
Procurement of Election articles from outside the State
By 15-3-2009
10.
Proposal for setting up of Auxiliary Polling Stations-Approval of Commission thereof.
By 15-03-2009 to 31-03-2009
11.
Procurement of Forms & Stationary by Districts
By 31-03-2009
12.
Proposal for Counting Centres- Approval of Commission thereof
By31-03-2009 to 10-04-2009
13.
Printing of Ballot Papers for
i) Service Voters (including dispatch)
ii) Persons on Election Duty
iii) EVM/Tender
i) Within 48 hrs. after the last hr. of withdrawal of Candidature
ii) Within 72 hrs. after the last hour of withdrawal of candidature.
iii) Within 5 days after the last hour of withdrawal of candidature
14.
Supply of electoral rolls to Contesting Candidates
Within two days from date of withdrawal
15.
Supply of 2nd Supplements for Political Parties
Within two days from date of withdrawal
16.
Randomisation of EVMs Assembly Constituency-wise Identification of critical Polling Stations
By last date of withdrawal of candidature
17.
Requisitioning of vehicles
By last date of withdrawal
18.
Issuance of Appointment letter to Polling Personnel
By the last day of filing nomination
19.
Training of Master Trainees for imparting training to Polling Personnel
By the last day of filing nomination
20.
EPIC issued list By P-5 day
21.
Procurement of digital/video cameras by districts
By P-5 day
22.
Preparation of marked copies
By P-5 day
23.
Appointment of Exe.Magis and their briefing
By P-5 day
24.
Hands-on training to Polling Personnel on EVMs
By P-5 day
25.
Two phase Training of Polling Personnel
By P-5 day
26.
Receipt of applications for Postal Ballot and Issuance of Postal Ballot Papers
By P-5 day
27.
Commissioning of EVMs
By P-7 day
28.
Appointment of Sector Officers and their briefing
By P-14 day
29.
EPIC Programmes
By P-14 to P-10 day
30.
Issuance of Pass to Counting Agents
By C-2 day
31.
Training of Counting Personnel
By C-4 day
32.
Isssuance of appointment letters to Counting Personnel
By C-7 day

All DMs / DEOs' Meeting in Kolkata on 19.2.2009: Chief Secretary to Address

An all DEO/DM meeting will be held at Rotunda, Writers' Buildings, Kolkata at 11 am on 19.2.2009. All DMs and DEO, Kolkata may please attend. Chief Secretary has consented to address the gathering.
Detailed agenda notes are being sent. The brief points for discussion will be as follows:-
1. Address by Chief Secretary
2. Follow-up of instructions issued by Election Commission in CEOs' Conference at Delhi on 4&5.2.09
3. Action plan for Continuous Updation of PER & EPIC Campaign
4. Action Plan for General Elections 2009
5. Calendar of Events
6. Security and Law and Order Matters
7. Miscellaneous.

Survey of Missing Voters

Now that the FP has been done, a survey of missing voters under two categories,ie, missing voters with family links and missing voters without family links, have to be done. This has to be done by BLOs in each part. The proforma in which the results are to be reported is indicated in the New ERO's Handbook: It is called "Format 8" report.

We discussed this in yesterday's Video Conference.

The proforma is being circulated. The survey should start in the first week of February. A progress report in the proforma should be submitted within 2 weeks.

-CEO

Video Conference with all DMs/DEOs on 29.1.2009

At 10.30 am on 29.1.2009, I'll hold a Video Conference with all DMs and DEOs.

Formal letter follows>All ADM(E)s, SDOs, District OC(Election) and District IT-in-Charge may also remain present.

Agenda:

1. Computerised receipt of applications in Form 6,7,8,8A to be received under Continuous Updation programme; introduction of new formats of Forms 6,7,8,8A

2. Opening of Help Lines at ERO's level to meet up electoral queries by electors

3. Common Service Centres and EPIC facilitation centres

4. Enrollment of Service Voters and Special Campaign at Army Cantonments etc.

5. Booth Level Officers - Submission of exhaustive list, their training and deployment

6. Computerisation of Polling Personnel Database

7. New EVMs - Training and Storage

8. Training of Police Officials on salient features of conduct of Parliamentary Elections

9. Physical Verification of Polling Stations - proposal for modifications in the approved list thereof.

10. New method of assessing critical polling stations

11. Miscellaneous.

** In the earlier Blog posted today, I have elaborated on the first agenda.

-CEO

COMPUTERISED Continuous Updation

FP of 282 ACs has been done today (20.1.09).

Period of Continuous Updation starts from tomorrow for these 282 ACs.

1. All Form 6's can be received only at ERO's office.

2. All Form 6's so received must be IMMEDIATELY computerised by the staff/official receiving it. 

3. An enquiry report for Form 6 will be generated for Form 6 from the computer

4.BLO will enquire based on the list generated from computer (think of Working Sheets used during conversion to photo-rolls)

5. Decision of ERO (accepted / rejected) will be entered into Computer. A code for "reasons for rejection" will be input.

6. Manuscript for Additions will be generated as a report from the Computer (Digitised Form 6 - Rejected = Manuscript)

7. Data entry for deletions, corrections and transpositions will be done as per existing practice. Remember, deletions except on death grounds cannot be done without hearing.

8. CD of Manuscripts so generated will be handed over to us at CEO Office for merging with database periodically.

- We'll have a Video Conference on 29.1.2009. I'll expect reactions/ suggestions on this issue when I review.

-CEO

Top Sheets : Corrections in FP

Pdf for 282 ACs for which FP will be held on 20.1.2009 has been delivered. After printing at districts, FP will be done as usual on 20.1.2009

CMC, the new SLA informs that due to wrong way of keeping data by WTL in the past, cover page information is likely to contain errors in many cases - especially on the left column containing section names. 

All districts/EROs are advised to send by email to Shri Somnath De, OSD(IT), the necessary rectifications required to be done in our data-base so that the integrated roll expected to be done in February for the Lok Sabha Polls can be corrected properly.

-CEO

Store new EVMs Carefully

Commission's standing instructions for storage of EVMs may be referred to.

New EVMs are being delivered by ECIL.

All DMs/DEOs must ensure that the new EVMs are stored in a secure accommodation in keeping with Commission's instructions.

-CEO

FP date for 282-ACs deferred to 20.1.2009

For 282 ACs, the date of FP was earlier scheduled on 10.1.2009. However, due to certain technical reasons, at my request, the Commission has agreed to defer the date of final publication of these 282 tolls to 20.1.2009.

The dates for the remaining 12 ACs remain as they are.

-CEO