CITIZENS'  RESPONSIBILITIES

AND

 THE FORTHCOMING ELECTIONS

Get yourself enrolled & your EPIC .... today !

It is the right and the duty of every citizen above the age of 18 to exercise his/her vote.  Here are some pointers which may be helpful :

I.          THE ELECTORAL ROLL :

Ø            if you are above 18 years and a citizen of India,  you must have your name on the Electoral Roll (ER).

Ø            it is a basic identity for an adult citizen of India

Ø            check immediately whether your name is on the ER (at your Taluka Office / Collector's Office / the local branch Office of a National political party).

Ø            for inclusion of name on the ER, you will have to fill in Form No. 6.

Ø            ask  the concerned officer when you should return to confirm that your name is on the ER

Ø            to raise  any objection or for deletion of one's name, you will have to fill in Form No. 7.

Ø            for correction of entries in the Electoral Roll you will have to fill in Form No. 8.

Ø            please feel free to write your complaints to the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of your State and / or to  the Chief Election Commissioner  (CEC) Delhi

Ø            always retain copies of your application / letters signed by the receiving officer for further reference.

Ø            ensure that you have the updated Elector's Photo Identity Card (EPIC).  (At times, you may be required to provide  your own Passport Photos in order to receive an EPIC).

Ø            help the poor, marginalized, underprivileged to have their names on the ER. – this may be their only identity

II.                POLITICAL INVOLVEMENT :

Ø            get involved in mainstream politics.

Ø            encourage / support political parties which focus on governance and on issues related to transparency, human rights, justice and peace and safeguarding the freedom of all citizens.

Ø            check out  the candidates, the parties wish to nominate for a particular seat.

Ø            organize public debates / dialogues with them and assess their views / opinions / promises

Ø            study their Election Manifesto of the previous elections and see whether the ruling party / sitting candidate has fulfilled the promises made.

Ø            assess their views on vulnerable groups like the tribals, dalits, children, women, minorities and also on critical subjects like water, education, food, security, shelter, environment, employment, health and globalization.

III.          ON VOTING DAY :

Ø                  cast your vote – and do it early in the day !

Ø                  encourage all others to cast their votes too.

Ø                  vote for a party / individual that is not corrupt, criminal, casteist  and / or communal

Ø                  DO NOT vote for an individual who belongs / subscribes to a party whose ideology is  communal / divisive and / or fascist.

Ø                  you also have the right to cast your vote for "NO CANDIDATE"

Ø                  if you notice any bogus voting, rigging or booth capturing, bring it to the notice of the police / election officers immediately and preferably in writing.

IV.       AFTER ELECTIONS :

Ø            find out the details of your elected representative (name, address, telephone / fax nos., email, etc.)

Ø            arrange that organizations, villages / groups invite the person to share his / her views about the area for the next five years.

Ø            remember that they have budgetary allocations for their constituency; find out for what programmes the money will be / is being utilized.

Ø            insist that your views / concerns are voiced in the Assembly / Parliament.

Ø            remind the representative that as a voter you have a right to recall, or to ask for his / her resignation.

Ø            while respecting the fact that s / he is elected , never provide unnecessary legitimacy if the person represents interests that are communal, corrupt, casteist and anti-Constitutional

V.             REGARDING CONCERNS / COMPLAINTS / FURTHER INFORMATION :

Ø            any concern / complaint in the context of the Electoral Rolls must be sent in writing (registered post / courier)  immediately to :  The Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of your State (eg. for Gujarat it is :  Election Commission, General Administration Department,   Block No. 7,   II Floor,   Sachivalaya, Gandhinagar 382 010

         Tel.: (079)  23250316 / 23250318 ,  Fax:  (079)  23250317 

         email : ceo_gujarat@eci.gov.in      www.ceogujarat.nic.in

Ø            serious concerns like the disenfranchisement of a whole community / village must also be brought to the notice of : The Chief Election Commissioner of India, Nirvachan Sadan, Ashoka Road, New Delhi 110 001   www.eci.gov.in

         Tel.:  (011)  23717391 - 98  Fax : (011)  23713412  email :   feedback@eci.gov.in

Ø            the above two may also be informed about any irregularities regarding the elections.

Ø            The Election Commission of India has a very useful  page : "A GUIDE FOR VOTERS" on their website www.eci.gov.in

Ø            use the Right to Information Act  www.righttoinformation.gov.in

Ø            a private agency has a very useful website www.jagore.com

Ø            contact  "PRASHANT"  for further information / assistance.

Issued by  :

PRASHANT (Centre for Human Right, Justice and Peace)