DISTRICT ELECTION MANAGEMENT PLAN (DEMP)

The District Election Management Plan (DEMP) is a crucial document that plays a pivotal role in the smooth conduct of elections at the district level. The primary purpose of the DEMP is to ensure effective planning and coordination for all aspects of the electoral process within a district. It aims to facilitate the conduct of free, fair, and inclusive elections while adhering to legal and regulatory requirements.

3. Elements of the District Election Management Plan (DEMP)

District Profile: The DEMP starts with a district profile that includes

• Political map delineating constituencies
• Key demographic and infrastructure statistics
• Brief overview of the district's administrative setup and socioeconomic features

Polling Station Management

• Strategies to improve the availability and accessibility of polling stations
• Ensuring essential facilities like ramps, electricity, lighting, water, toilets, and internet connectivity
• Special provisions for voters with disabilities (PwD) and senior citizens, such as help desks, control rooms, home voting options, and advanced postal ballot voting for essential service personnel

Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) Plan

• Focuses on increasing electoral participation
• Analyzes voter turnout data to identify areas with low turnout and tailors activities to address these issues
• Includes social media campaigns, engagement with community and youth organizations, and awareness events leading up to the election day

Election Personnel Management

• Planning, training, welfare, and deployment of election personnel
• Creation of a poll personnel database, categorization by cadre, and assessment of personnel requirements
• Strategies to address personnel gaps across various election roles
• Coordination with district police for force deployment, including vulnerability mapping of polling stations
• Training programs for election personnel on enforcing the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) and enhancing necessary skills and knowledge

• Material management is a critical aspect of the District Election Management Plan (DEMP), which includes the procurement of essential items such as indelible ink, seals, stamps, stationery, and statutory forms.
• These items are categorized based on procurement levels (State/U.T. or district) with specific timelines, ranging from two-to-three weeks to four months before the election.
• In addition to traditional election materials, the DEMP emphasizes the management of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) as a crucial component to uphold the integrity of the electoral process.

Key aspects related to EVM management in the DEMP include:

• Secure Storage: Plans for secure storage facilities to ensure the safety and integrity of EVMs and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trails (VVPATs) before, during, and after elections.
• Availability: Ensuring an adequate number of functional EVMs and VVPATs at polling stations to facilitate smooth voting operations.
• Transportation: Detailed plans for the transportation of EVMs and VVPATs to and from polling stations, ensuring their timely and secure delivery.
• Maintenance: Strategies for the regular maintenance and testing of EVMs and VVPATs to minimize technical issues and ensure their proper functioning during elections.

5. The Way Forward

The DEMP aims to enhance the voting experience by ensuring organized and accessible voting procedures for all citizens. Beyond elections, the approach of meticulous planning, collaboration, and transparency highlighted in the DEMP offers valuable lessons for broader governance practices. It underscores the importance of advanced planning, data-driven decision-making, and stakeholder collaboration in effectively addressing challenges in electoral management and governance.