General Elections to Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly 2016

SPECIAL SVEEP ACTIVITIES

MADURAI DISTRICT

DISTRICT ELECTION OFFICER & DISTRICT COLLECTOR

MADURAI

POST CARD CAMPAIGN and Release of SPECIAL POSTAL STAMP

for ETHICAL VOTING

(Probably First time in India)

INTRODUCTION

Post card remains an important medium of personal communication for short

messages and advertising. Post card was chosen to reach out to voters to appeal

them to cast their VOTE ETHICALLY, because it creates lot of buzz not just in the

household who would receive this postcard, but also the neighbours too would be

sensitized to practice ETHICAL voting, since the sender of the postcard is none

other than the District Collector.

Releasing a special postal stamp to commemorate the VOTING DATE “MAY

16” is a fitting tribute to the importance of voting, as voter’s democratic right.

“ETHICAL VOTING” & “VOTE according to your CONSCIENCE” were

emphasized through the release of special postal stamp.

TARGET VOTERS:

10 % lowest voter turnout (in last assembly elections) areas were identified in

each assembly constituency.20000 Postcards were dispatched to the voters residing

in these areas.

TYPE OF MESSAGE:

The postcard contained a personalised message by collector appealing them

to vote without any fear or favour on May 16th. ETHICAL VOTING was emphasized

to make people aware of their democratic and moral duty to vote without getting into

in any corrupt practices. The message was formulated in such a way that voters are

sensitized to vote without taking any money. A sticker containing the Polling date

MAY 16 was pasted on the back side of the card to emphasize on actual polling

date.

METHODOLOGY:

Postcard campaign was inaugurated by DEO and District Collector by

releasing a large sized postcard model and dropping the actual postcards in the post

box. This campaign was scaled up across all 10 constituencies in a phased manner.

All postal communications in the Collectorate and all RO’s, AROs offices will use this

special postal stamp so that it reaches maximum audience.

To commemorate the Polling date of MAY 16, a special postal stamp was

released which depicts MAY 16 and an appeal to VOTE ETHICALLY.

FEEDBACK:

Few households, who have received these postcards, gave their feedback .

First feeling after receiving the postcard directly from the Collector was that of

surprise and excitement. After reading the contents they were aware of Polling Date,

their duty to cast their vote and more importantly to vote according to their

conscience by keeping away from corrupt practices. They even showed the postcard

to their neighbours proudly.

POST CARD CAMPAIGN-- GLIMPSES

Release of SPECIAL POSTAL STAMP Commemorating POLLING DATE ‘MAY16’ &

Appealing on ETHICAL VOTING

General Elections to Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly-2016

ETHICAL VOTING

1,00,000 PLEDGES on

21.04.2016 at Chithirai Festival

SVEEP Madurai.

MEGA EVENT FOR ETHICAL VOTING PLEDGE

1,00,000 Pledges in a Single day

To ensure that the voters of Madurai District cast their vote ethically, without

falling prey to any inducements, fear or favour, District Election Office came up with

a Novel idea of a Mega event which was conducted during an equally mega festival

of “Chithirai Tiruvizha”. One Lakh signatures / thumb impressions were obtained

from the voters on a single day of APRIL 21st, making them to take pledge that

they will vote ETHICALLY on May 16. The pledge reads as follows:

“vdJ thf;F tpw;gidf;F my;y. tUk; Nk 16 md;W> ehd; vdJ kdrhl;rpgb

thf;fspg;Ngd; vd ,jd; %yk; cWjp mspf;fpNwd;.”

(“My Vote is not for sale. I take a pledge that I will vote according to my

conscience on May 16.”)

Chithirai festivities are very important annual events of Madurai, which attracts

lakhs of people to Madurai city spreading across 10 days. 4 to 5 lakh floating

population throngs to streets of Madurai. District Election Office decided to reach out

to the potential voters to sensitize them about the importance of ETHICAL VOTING,

to say ‘NO’ to the bribes in cash / kind & other electoral malpractices. To obtain

promise of ETHICAL VOTING from them, it was planned to get signatures / thumb

impressions of 1,00,000 voters, on a pledge card specifically designed for this

purpose on April 21st. Photographs of these 1,00,000 voters, also were obtained

during this campaign.

If “Chithirai Festivities” depict cultural fervor of Madurai, then this campaign

depicted the Democratic spirit of ETHICAL VOTING of the voters of Madurai District.

This would be the First time in the history of Tamil Nadu elections, that such a mega

scale pledge campaign has been conducted.

200 teams comprising of 400 personnel were assigned different locations

starting from Alagar Koil to important clusters in Madurai city. Election Officials from

all

10 Assembly Constituencies of Madurai District had been involved in this campaign

for its successful completion. District Election Office has been striving hard to ensure

that the true spirit of Free and fair elections is protected through this special

campaign for ETHICAL VOTING.

Apart from this mega event, 25,000 hand Fans with sticker of polling date,

various awareness pamphlets, Water & buttermilk distribution stalls with voters

awareness boards had been installed across Madurai city to reach out to the

maximum voters on all 10 days.

ETHICAL VOTING PLEDGE – Inauguration Ceremony of 1 lakh Special

Signature Campaign by District Election Officer & District Collector, Madurai

on 21.04.2016 at Chithirai Festival.

ETHICAL VOTING - 1 Lakh Special Signature Campaign - FEW GLIMPSES

Release of

HAND FANS

printed with the

word

“ENATHU VAKKU

VIRPANIAKKU ALLA”

(ETHICAL VOTING –

My Vote Not for

Sale)

ETHICAL VOTING - 1 Lakh Special Signature Campaign - FEW GLIMPSES

SPECIAL HIKING CAMPAIGNS FOR ETHICAL VOTING

INTRODUCTION:

Madurai is known for the three iconic hills that surround this ancient city viz

Yanai Malai, Naga Malai and Pasu Malai. Any IEC activity which involves community

mobilisation and reaching out should make use of the local specialities, icons,

special geographic features to have a widespread impact aptly these three hills fall in

the above category. Any activity happening on/ around any of these hills attracts a

lot of attention from the surrounding areas and the entire district through the print

and electronic media.

A hiking expedition to the hills carrying ETHICAL VOTING message

(“MY VOTE NOT FOR SALE”) on the T-Shirts specially designed for this purpose

by the young and vibrant college students was the idea.

TARGET VOTERS:

People residing in the entire area surrounding the hills comprising of 5 to 6

villages on an average. Interestingly these hills are located in the areas of low voter

turnout. A lot of floating population too was covered because there are important

tourist destinations nearby.

TYPE OF MESSAGE:

“MY VOTE NOT FOR SALE”

“100% VOTE ON MAY 16”

“YOUTH VOTE”

“HIKE FOR #TN100Percent”

Were printed on the T-shirts and the caps wore by the hikers group.

PARTICIPANTS and METHODOLOGY:

A group of 200+ College students, Nehru Yuva Kendra Vigilance group

members, campus ambassadors, led by the District Collector and his team of district

level officers went on hiking trail on Samanar malai and Yanai malai, wearing

T-shirts and caps printed with the above messages of ETHICAL voting. A huge

FLEX BOARD was displayed on the top of the hill urging all to VOTE ETHICALLY.

FEEDBACK:

Local people also joined for hiking and took a pledge to practice ETHICAL

voting. Hundreds of college students who got inspired by this campaign have

contacted us to facilitate their hiking trails for voter awareness. Wide publicity by print

media ensured a widespread reach of ETHICAL voting message throughout the

district.

HIKE FOR #TN100percent: MY VOTE NOT FOR SALE -- FEW GLIMPSES

MASS MEHANDI CAMPAIGN

INTRODUCTION:

Analysis of the polling data in past elections pointed to the gender gap in

polling, unfavourable towards women. To address this issue, we planned various

SVEEP activities especially for women. Mehandi is a very attractive idea which is

liked by almost all women in rural and urban area alike specially the young women

who are potential first time voters. Moreover mobilising the women was far easier

with the attractive idea of Mehandi.

A message of “VOTE ON MAY 16” surrounded by the design of their choice

ensured that they are reminded of the polling date and their duty to vote.

TARGET VOTERS:

Women in rural and urban areas comprising of eligible voters of all age

groups. General awareness in the surrounding areas because almost one member

in every household has applied Mehandi in her hands carrying the polling date

message.

TYPE OF MESSAGE:

Mainly emphasized upon the date of polling

“MAY 16”

“100%VOTE”

PARTICIPANTS and METHODOLOGY:

Thousands of Self Help Group Members, VPRC members, Women College

students participated in more than 30 such mass mehandi programs. We made use

of the “international women’s day” on March 8th to start this campaign. Mass

Mehandi drawing was followed by Voting Pledge and a sensitization program to

impress upon “how privileged the Indian women are to have got the equal voting

rights along with the men from the very first general elections after independence”.

Various women’s colleges were toured urging them to come out and vote and they

responded by applying mehandi on their hands promising to vote on May 16

FEEDBACK:

Since mehandi is close to women’s heart, a very positive feedback was

received for all Mass mehandi programs. Almost 25000 women covered under this

campaign have promised to reciprocate by showing indelible ink on their left hand

index finger after casting their vote. Since mehandi remains on the palms for a week

prolonged reminder for MAY 16 was ensured!

MASS MEHANDI FOR “VOTE ON MAY 16” : FEW GLIMPSES

BOOTH LEVEL AWARENESS GROUPS & VILLAGE

VIGILANCE COMMITTEES

INTRODUCTION:

Inter personal communication is a very effective method of reaching out to

people with a message. Booth level awareness groups have been formed to conduct

this vital interpersonal communication by going door to door in low voter turnout

areas and speaking to the voters about the election process. Since the members of

Booth level awareness group (BLG) are mostly locals, they know the style of

communication which suits that particular area. Village vigilance committee has been

formed to desist the voters from any kind of inducements and corrupt practices.

Nehru Yuva Kendra has been roped in for this purpose which has a very strong base

of vibrant, vigilant and active rural youths in each village

TARGET VOTERS:

Analysis of last assembly election polling data led us to identify 20 percent

lowest voter turnout booths in each constituency. Booth level awareness groups

were formed to tour these areas and understand the reasons behind low voter

turnout and subsequently pursue the voters to cast their votes this time

TYPE OF MESSAGE:

“Vote is your right, your duty and your responsibility”

“Please cast your vote on MAY 16 ”

“Is your area ready to vote 100% on May 16th?”

“Is your street ready to vote 100%on May 16th?”

“YOUR VOTE IS NOT FOR SALE”

“VOTE ACCORDING TO YOUR CONSCIENCE”

METHODOLOGY:

Booth level group comprises of BLO, VAO, Anganwadi worker, Primary

school teacher and an eminent person. These groups were given an orientation

training about their roles and responsibilities regarding ensuring 100 percent voter

turnout. They are now touring the areas and reaching out to every household.

Through the interpersonal communication they are instilling a sense of responsibility

among the voters of these areas about importance of voting.

Village vigilance committees are groups of NYK local youths who are given

orientation training to keep an eye on any instances of bribing of voters or other

kinds of inducements. They are assigned the task of educating the people about the

legal consequences of such malpractices and pursue them to cast their vote freely

and ethically.

FEEDBACK:

Since BLG members and Village vigilance committee members are locals,

they are striking a chord with the voters. People are receptive of their message

because they are connected to these members on a daily basis. Village vigilance

committee Youths are making an impact by educating the voters about ETHICAL

VOTING.

BOOTH LEVEL AWARENESS GROUPS AND VILLAGE VIGILANCE COMMITTEE

MEMBERS IN ACTION

VILLAGE VIGILANCE COMMITTEE MEMBERS IN ACTION

SPECIAL CAMPAIGN FOR POSTAL BALLOT FOR

UNIFORMED SERVICES PERSONNEL

INTRODUCTION:

This year’s National Voters Day theme says”INCLUSIVE AND QUALITATIVE

PARTICIPATION”. To ensure that each and every personnel who is on poll duty gets

a chance to cast his vote ,Awareness about postal ballot need to be created among

different sections of personnel on election duty. Uniformed service personnel like

police constitute the maximum chunk of these officials. That is why this special

campaign for postal ballot was conducted.

TARGET VOTERS:

Mainly police personnel for postal ballot and their families residing in armed

reserve area about the date of polling.

TYPE OF MESSAGE:

“100% VOTE”

“POSTAL BALLOT”

PARTICIPANTS AND METHODOLOGY:

1500 Police personnel and home guards participated in this very special event

to create awareness about postal ballot. A human chain formation with a pattern of

“100 % VOTE,POSTAL BALLOT” was displayed at the Armed Reserve grounds,

attended by District Collector, City Police commissioner, SP, DCPs. Few important

aspects of applying for postal ballots, facilitation counters for the same and

registration in voters list were emphasized by the Collector, City Police

Commissioner and SP.

FEEDBACK :

Since this was a special SVEEP program which involved the police personnel

right from constables to very senior police officers, there was a positive feedback

about the program.It was successful in creating a lot of buzz among the police

personnel to ensure their postal ballot is utilised without fail to exercise the

democratic duty of voting even while on duty. It created awareness among their

families also to cast their vote on May 16.

POSTAL BALLOT -- POLICE PERSONNEL -- FEW GLIMPSES

General Elections to Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly-2016

"ETHICAL VOTING PLEDGE"

8,88,260 PLEDGES

on 10th May 2016 at 10 a.m.

SVEEP Madurai.

Mega Event for Ethical Voting Pledge of 8,88,260 pledges on

10th May 2016 at 10 a.m. across Madurai District

The ethical voting pledge was organised in different places in Madurai District to

vote ethically without falling prey to any inducements, fear or favour. The pledge were

organised across the Madurai District in all the institutions and all categories of voters

including Government Offices of Central, State, Industries, Factories, Commercial

Establishments,

Shops, SHGs, MGNREGS Sites, BLOs etc., and 8,88,260 took Ethical Voting Pledges at the

same time. The pledge was telecasted live on http://www.youthonlinetv.com.

The DIstrict Administration has been striving hard to ensure that the true spirit of

free and fair elections is protected through this mega event for Ethical Voting.

NO NOTE FOR VOTE – SVEEP MADURAI GENERAL ELECTIONS TO TAMIL NADU LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY – 2016.

MADURAI DISTRICT

PLEDGES TAKEN FOR ETHICAL VOTING ON 10TH MAY, 10 AM.

General Elections to Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly-2016

DEPUTY ELECTION COMMISSIONER

ECI, NEW DELHI

MADURAI VISIT on 05th May 2016

Release of Special Postal Stamp,

Rainbow Team, SVEEP EXPO,

Model Mobile Polling Station

SVEEP Madurai.

Release of Special Postal Stamp

Shri Umesh Sinha, I.A.S., Deputy Election Commissioner, ECI,

New Delhi, Shri Nikhil Kumar, Dy. Secretary, ECI, New Delhi,

Shri N.C. Swain, Director, ECI, New Delhi, Shri Rajesh Lakhoni, I.A.S., CEO,

Tamil Nadu released special Postal Stamps for ETHICAL VOTING on 05-05-

2016 in the presence of Thiru. K. Veera Raghava Rao, I.A.S., DEO & District

Collector, Madurai.

Rainbow Team: 7 different sections of voters such as Youth, Tribals,

Transgender, Differently Abled, Men, Women & Narikuruvars.

Shri Umesh Sinha, I.A.S., Deputy Election Commissioner, ECI, New Delhi,

Shri Nikhil Kumar, Dy. Secretary, ECI, New Delhi, Shri N.C. Swain, Director, ECI, New Delhi,

Shri Rajesh Lakhoni, I.A.S., CEO, Tamil Nadu conducted review meeting with 6 DIstricts

Election Officers, Police Officials & Observers on 05-05-2016 at Madurai District.

Inauguration of Model Mobile Polling Station by Shri Umesh Sinha, I.A.S., Deputy Election Commissioner, ECI, New Delhi.

SVEEP EXPO Shri Umesh Sinha, I.A.S., Deputy Election Commissioner, ECI, New Delhi,

Inaugurated SVEEP EXPO on 05-05-2016 at Madurai Collectorate.