Innovative Practices in Election Management Security management BY

Innovative Practices in Election Management Security management BY, A. P. Tiwari, IPS S. P. Udalguri, Assam

Action Plan • Planning • Comprehensive Monitoring and Observation • Motivating • Training and briefing • D-day action • Counting and post election L/O

PLANNING 1. Management A. Human Mapping. In-depth Analysis of available Distt. Police Personnel and their performance report since their posting. Carefully selecting personnel for various election related works. B. Innovative training according to above analysis. C. Reward during training/practise. D. Briefing/Debriefing session of supervisory officers of district i. e. Addl. S. P. , Dy. S. P. s and Inspectors. E. Interview of all newly posted personnel and accordingly work assignment. F. Exposure to the work assigned by arranging real time situations. .

2. Intelligence Gathering A. We can provide mobile handset to our sources as much as possible. One special information collection and analysis team is also required under GOs with mobile/landline/e-mail facilities. This team will collect information from every corner and they will convey this to Quick Reaction Team (QRT) which will be located at each and every Police Station. B. Use of CLG, VDPs for monitoring of each and every village, briefing and training programme is required for VDP and CLG in a specific manner. C. We can publish important phone nos. in the newspapers. Also we can write this in each and every villages, so any villagers can contact us and they will convey the information to us. D. Cross check the information given by sources to check paid information.

3. Visible Impartiality A. Zero tolerance policy against all defaulters irrespective of party/affiliations. B. Regular joint briefing of representative of all political parties. C. Strongest possible action on any offence – can keep it pending also strategically.

4. Force Management A. In-depth analysis of available forces. B. Confidential meeting with commanders of all available forces to sort out effective personnel for various duties. C. Regular interaction with men of all forces by visiting their camps and take dinner with them to boost up their morale D. Briefing of supervisory officers of outside forces regarding terrain/public/security scenario to give them first hand idea of current situation. E. P. A. system at all coy location pass on instructions. F. Liaison officer for each site.

5. Training A. P. S. wise training, Briefing/De-breifing session by S. P. and other senior officers. B. Clarity in thought and Clarity in order. C. Arrange training/Briefing of police personnel by returning officer/ election observers. D. Counter insurgency drills comprising all forces to be practiced and rehearsed for any eventuality. E. Training of CPMF a/w P. S. for better Co-ordination.

6. AOR Analysis for election A. Assessing sensitivity based on previous history / Extremist activities during last 2 years / Possibilities of poll-disruption. B. Social ethnic structure of various pockets of district. C. Pay due attention to thoughts of various political parties, VDP’s, CLG’s, S. P. O’s and other socio cultural organizations , students etc regarding AOR. D. Extensive patrolling of A. O. R. by all concerned under close supervision of S. P.

7. Media Management 1. To hold regular briefing 2. To provide security on the day of the poll to authorised journalists. 3. Motivate them to provide information on the day of the poll. 4. Treat media personnel very carefully and only authorized persons to brief media.

8. Election Cell Setup A. Under responsible Officer – preferably Addl. S. P. B. Choose experienced and fully trustworthy persons. C. Detail enlarge map of district with full details with deployment/ Routes highlighted. D. At least 5 -6 personnel with telephones for 24 hour availability. E. Rep. of all forces to be trained in advance for any eventuality.

CBM and Education A. Frequent and dominating visits/show of force in various hyper sensitive areas specially areas of weaker section/ minority pockets. B. Educate people to vote and vote early to prevent false voting. C. Mitigate outstanding disputes primarily political in nature. D. Deployment of police personnel in civvies at various common places like bus stand, R/Stn, Market to keep watch on bad elements/ NBW’s. E. Police to follow principle of FC/Tactics to the core to instill fear in mind of defaulters.

F. Temporary Training camp in sensitive areas with full assault training. G. Firing Practice in Police line/ Reserve. H. Proclamation on loud speakers at crossroads, markets that each should vote freely and feerlessly. “Goondas will be treated with “Dandas”. I. Identify and warn possible defaulters in public “ you are under close surveillance” to increase faith in good citizen.

COMPREHENSIVE MONITORING AND OBSERVATION 1. Sensitivity identification – Verification, desensitisation and finalisation of list 2. Prepare and update election register; devote a page for each polling centre – Information about – Name of polling centre – number of booths; number of voters – About the village that will poll there– population; demography – Previous incidents – Sensitivity and reason for it – persons responsible for increasing sensitivity – Number of arms – Preventive actions and results of special drives

MOTIVATING 1. Motivate forces to motivate people in their area of deployment. 2. Effective voters education. 3. Motivate NGO’s and other civil organizations to create awareness among people. 4. Special arrangements for Women and disabled persons to motivate them.

D - DAY 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Log all complaints: Immediate and quick disposal of complaints – use alternate mechanism for verification. To send SITREPS and information about violence, arrests, etc – I/C to know to whom all to send information (HOME/DG Control/INT control/IG/DIG) Sensitive – morchas on top of the booths – ‘mahol’ created by SHO calling everyone a meeting of all villagers assuring them and threatening the miscreants of dire consequences. Tracking teams with video cameras. Adequate reserves and anti-riot units. Information collection from every corner through mobile phone. Use of bike is more effectives rather than light motor vehicles. Printing of mobile nos. of all officers on the backside of the command certificate which will be given to the constables for polling duty, identity card and passes for all.

Counting and post Election L/O 1. Separate lanes for bringing ballot boxes under escort. 2. Barricading to provide lanes for separate assembly segment 3. Search lights, watch towers 4. Duties put in order to restrict entry of pass holders and officials only, frisking of every person for even ink or acid, regulate the sitting of counting agents 5. Identity cards and passes for all 6. Change over and food and tea at the appropriate time 7. Escort ‘vijay’ procession – restrict and regulate that too; normally works with liaison.

Points to Ponder 1. Work without fear of favour. 2. “Walk the Talk” Leadership. 3. Be impartial, decisive and fair. 4. Co-ordination with magistrates – Move together; briefing together; training camps together.

Thank You