UP Assembly Elections 2012: Election Commission 'sveeps' polls in first phase

NEW DELHI: The Election Commission on Wednesday claimed credit for the record turnout in UP’s first phase.

EC director-general Akshay Rout said, “Our sustained efforts in voters’ education, motivation and facilitation have improved the turnout in UP. It’s the SVEEP (Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation ) effect at work.”

The turnout would have been higher but heavy rain in the morning was a spoiler. “In the remaining phases, we expect a higher turnout. There will be a voters’ participation revolution in UP,” said Rout.

The cornerstone of SVEEP is to draw out voters to enrol. “During the summary revision of electoral rolls on January 5, 2012, two crore new names were added in UP,” said Alok Shukla, deputy election commissioner. The EC and district officials connected with education institutions, youth and civil society groups to spread voting awareness. “We spoke to them about voting as not only their right but also their duty and the importance of ethical voting,” said Shukla.

Besides, EC brand ambassadors APJ Abdul Kalam and M S Dhoni,regional icons like Bhojpuri singer Malini Awasthi reached out to voters. For the first time, the EC networked with banks. “When a person goes to open a bank account, he is asked if he has enrolled as a voter.If he’s not registered, the bank gives him a form for voter enrolment,”said Rout. There were other innovations. “For instance, Bulandshahr DM K C Ratan organized a candlelight march. About 900 people took a pledge to vote,” said Rout.

On the eve of the National Voters’ Day (Jan 25), 2.5 lakh people formed a 52-km human chain in Barabanki as part of the drive. Besides, the EC has a 24x7 voters’ helpline in UP. “A voter can dial 1950 and find out any poll-related information,” said Rout. An SMS of the voter ID number fetches the poll station address.