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ELECTION COMMISSION OF INDIA
ELECTION DEFECTS
Some Common Items , What Any Citizen Can Do ? 
Voter's Twenty Point Programme
 
Intimidations | Launching of Projects | Non-serious Candidature | Misuse of Resources

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

01. Electoral Rolls Non-Registration

What Goes Wrong
 
Enumerator does not visit the polling area.
Enumerator skips a portion of the polling area.
Enumerator hands over enumeration pads to political agents.
Enumerator does not leave form-4 in elector's absence.
Service electors are not found at home.
Enumerator is intimidated in to omitting some names.
Enumeration pads are lost.
Enumeration pads are deliberately destroyed.
Supervisor does not rectify omissions.
Superior officers fail in effective super checking.
 
 
What Can Be Done Under Law & Procedure
 
Complain to Electoral Registration Officer.
Complain to District Election Officer.
Complain to Chief Electoral Officer.
Complain to Election Commission of India.
Produce a copy of enumeration slip, if available.
Lodge claim on prescribed form.
Produce on demand proof of "ordinary resident" status.
 
If You Fail, What Can Be Done Without Breaking Law
 
Call attention of a devoted NGO.
Organise collective action with others omitted.
Motivate nearest influential person to approach authorities.
Make Electoral Officers explain omissions publicly.
Discuss the lapses in Mohalla Committees.
Discuss the lapses in meetings of prominent citizens.
Discuss the lapses in meetings of local politicians.
Discuss the lapses in meetings of local pressmen.
Discuss the lapses in meetings of Gaon Sabha.
Discuss the lapses in meetings of village Panchayat.

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02. Electoral Rolls-Bogus Registration
 
What Goes Wrong
 
No systematic deletion of dead electors takes place.
Under aged/ ineligible persons are registered.
Electors shift residence but are not deleted.
Women shift residence after marriage but are not deleted.
Non-citizens, being ineligible, are registered.
Non-existent voters are registered.
Electors are registered at multiple places.
Bogus votes are cast for bogus electors.
Bogus votes can materially affect the result of election.
 
What Can Be Done Under Law & Procedure
 
Complain to Electoral Registration Officer.
Complain to District Election Officer.
Complain to Chief Electoral Officer.
Complain to Election Commission of India.
Lodge objections on publication of draft rolls.
Lodge objections even after final publication.
 
If You Fail, What Can Be Done Without Breaking Law
 
Call attention of a devoted NGO.
Organise collective attention.
Motivate nearest influential person to approach authorities.
Make Electoral Officers explain lapses publicly.
Publicise list of bogus electors voluntarily.
Socially boycott ineligible electors.
Discuss the lapses in Mohalla Committees.
Discuss the lapses in meetings of prominent citizens.
Discuss the lapses in meetings of local politicians.
Discuss the lapses in meetings of local pressman.
Discuss the lapses in meetings in Gaon Sabha.
Discuss the lapses in meetings of village Panchayat.

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03. Defective Display Of Draft Electoral Rolls
 
What Goes Wrong
 
No publicity or display of draft rolls is made.
Draft Rolls are not displayed at all.
Draft rolls are not displayed at notified polling stations.
Draft rolls are not displayed prominently.
Polling station building are in other use during display.
Polling station buildings are not available during display.
Designated officers who receive claims are not available.
Designated officers do not cooperate.
Forms for lodging claim and objections are not available.
Forms are filed but misplaced in the process.
 
What Can Be Done Under Law & Procedure
 
Lodge complaint with Electoral Registration Officer.
Lodge complaint with District Election Officer.
Lodge complaint with Chief Electoral Officer.
Lodge complaint with Election Commission of India.
 
If You Fail, What Can Be Done Without Breaking Law
 
Call attention of a devoted NGO.
Organise collective action.
Motivate nearest influential person to approach authorities.
Make Electoral Officers explain lapses publicly.
Discuss the lapses in Mohalla Committees.
Discuss the lapses in meetings of prominent citizens.
Discuss the lapses in meetings of local politicians.
Discuss the lapses in meetings of local pressman.
Discuss the lapses in meetings in Gaon Sabha.
Discuss the lapses in meetings of village Panchayat.

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04. Polling Stations
 
What Goes Wrong
 
Polling stations are located at places inaccessible by weaker sections.
Polling stations are located in controversial buildings.
Polling stations are located near strongholds of criminals.
Polling stations are located in private buildings.
Polling stations are located in proximity of political offices.
Polling stations are located in proximity of places of worship.
Polling stations are located in narrow lanes.
Polling stations are located in temporary structures.
Polling stations are located in very small buildings.
Polling stations are located in marooned plots of land.
Polling stations are located at long distances.
Polling stations do not have separate entrance and exit.
Polling stations do not facilitate smooth flow of lectors.
Too many polling booths are located in one building.
 
What Can Be Done Under Law & Procedure
 
Complain to the District Election Officer.
Complain to the Returning Officer.
Complain to the Chief Electoral Officer.
Complain to the Election Commission.
Request Presiding Officer to record your views in diary.
Draw attention of sitting members.
Draw the attention of office bearers of political parties.
 
If You Fail, What Can Be Done Without Breaking Law
 
Call attention of a devoted NGO.
Organise collective action.
Motivate nearest influential person to approach authorities.
Discuss the lapses in Mohalla Committees.
Discuss the lapses in meetings of prominent citizens.
Discuss the lapses in meetings of local politicians.
Discuss the lapses in meetings of local pressman.
Discuss the lapses in meetings in Gaon Sabha.
Discuss the lapses in meetings of village Panchayat.
Call attention of intending candidates.

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05. Political Intimation Of Election Officers
 
What Goes Wrong
Politically committed officers actively work for politicians.
Weak bureaucrats sub-serve political masters.
Forthright officers are transferred from election related posts.
Pliable officers are appointed on election related posts.
Politically motivated officers are posted above election officers.
Politically motivated officers are appointed at middle levels.
Polling officers are selected on political considerations.
 
What Can Be Done Under Law & Procedure
 
Complain to the District Election Officer.
Complain to the Returning Officer.
Complain to the Chief Electoral Officer.
Complain to the Election Commission.
Complain to police for specific breach of official duty.
Complain to Judicial Magistrate for specific breach of official duty.
 
If You Fail, What Can be Done Without Breaking Law
 
Call attention of a devoted NGO.
Organise collective action.
Publicly honor forthright officers.
Publicly condemn politically motivated officers.
Motivate sitting members to protect forthright officers.
Motivate sitting members to condemn dishonest officers.
Volunteer to give evidence in favor of forthright officers.
Volunteers to give evidence against dishonest officers.

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06. Intimidation of Law & Order Officers
 
What Goes Wrong
 
Honest officers are removed from election related assignments.
Pliable officers re misused to intimidate political opponents.
False criminal cases are launched against political opponents.
Follow up of cases against musclemen is underplayed.
Hardened criminals are released on bail.
Parole is solicited for hardened convicts.
Musclemen are informally immunized against criminal proceedings.
Musclemen collaborate with middle level officers.
 
What Can Be Done Under Law & Procedure
 
Complain to District Election Officer.
Complain to Returning Officer.
Complain to Chief Electoral Officer.
Complain to Director General of Police.
Complain to Chief Secretary.
Complain to Cadre authority in Ministry of Home Affairs.
Complain to Election Commission.
Give evidence in favor of those politically victimized.
Lodge FIR for specific breach of official duty.
Complain to Judicial Magistrate for specific breach of official duty.
 
If You Fail, What Can Be Done Without Breaking Law
 
Call attention of devoted NGOs.
Call attention of local press.
Publicly honor forthright officers.
Publicly condemn politically motivated officers.
Motivate sitting members to protect forthright officers.
Motivate sitting members to condemn dishonest officers.
Volunteer to give evidence in favor of forthright officers.
Volunteer to give evidence against dishonest officers.

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07. Politically Motivated Launching Of Projects
 
What Goes Wrong
 
Foundation stones ceremonies are organized on election eve.
Commissioning of completed projects are deliberately delayed.
Foundation stones are laid for unapproved projects.
New projects and schemes are announced on election eve.
New concessions in taxes are announced on election eve.
New concessions in employment are announced on election eve.
Politically motivated concessions in the name of welfare schemes.
Tax relief are announced on poll eve.
New projects evoke false hopes of new job opportunities.
Poll eve bonanzas are announced to government servants.
Unjustified funds are allotted to constituencies going to poll.
Funds are allotted to sitting members for constituency development.
Funds are spent on schemes not covered in any official plan.
Gullible electors are swayed by these actions.
 
What Can Be Done Under Law & Procedure
 
Complain to the District election Officer under Model Code.
Complain to the Chief Electoral Officer under Model code.
Complain to the Election Commission under Model Code.
Complain to Lok Pal wherever appointed.
 
If You Fail, What Can Be Done Without Breaking Law
 
Prefer commissioning ceremonies rather than foundation stones.
Publicly expose past unfulfilled promises.
Call attention of a devoted NGO.
Motivate nearest influential person to approach authorities.
Discuss in Mohalla Committees.
Discuss in meetings of prominent citizens.
Discuss in meetings of local politicians.
Discuss in meetings of local pressman.
Discuss in meetings of Gaon Sabha.
Discuss in meetings of village Panchayat.
Call attention of intending candidates.

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08. Non-Serious Candidatures
 
What Goes Wrong
 
Dummy candidates are put up with names identical to opponents.
Dummy candidates are put up to grab more facilities.
Dummy candidates are put up to appoint extra polling agents.
Dummy candidates are put up to appoint extra counting agents.
Dummy candidates are put up to obtain extra vehicle permits.
Dummy candidates are put up to obtain extra security personnel.
Dummy candidates are put up to lend support in election disputes.
Extra agents are used to brow beat opponents at polling stations.
Extra agents are used to brow beat opponents at counting.
Dummy candidates are made scapegoats to countermand polls.
Frivolous candidates join the fray to make money.
Frivolous candidates join the fray for empty publicity.
Frivolous candidates join the fray with frivolous intentions.
Frivolous candidatures add to election expenditure.
Frivolous candidatures add to administrative arrangements.
Frivolous candidatures confuse the voters.
 
What Can Be Done Under Law & Procedure
 
Insist on withdrawal of facility from dummies if proved so.
Complain about misuse of facilities to Returning Officer.
Complain about misuse of facilities to District Election Officer.
Complain about misuse of facilities to Chief Electoral Officer.
Complain about misuse of facilities to Election Commission.
Complain to Presiding Officer if extra agents intimidate.
Complain to police if extra agents intimidate.
Complain to Judicial Magistrate if extra agents intimidate.
 
If You Fail, What Can Be Done Without Breaking Law
 
Call attention of a devoted NGO.
Organise collective action to expose frivolous candidates.
Do not lend support to frivolous candidates.
Do not be a frivolous candidate.
Discuss in Mohalla Committee.
Discuss in meetings of prominent citizens.
Discuss in meetings of local politicians.
Discuss in meetings of local pressman.
Discuss in meetings of Gaon Sabha.
Discuss in meetings of village Panchayat.
Boycott non-serious candidates publicly.
Invite a frivolous candidate to explain his manifesto.

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09. Misuse of Un-Accounted Financial Resources
 
What Goes Wrong
 
Expenditure far in excess of prescribed limit is incurred.
Electors are swayed by show or money power.
Undeserved benefits are given in return to donors.
Electors and agents are bribed.
Money power is misused for free conveyance of electors.
Money power is used to purchase the opponents.
Money power is used to mobilize criminal elements.
Un-accounted financial resources are collected from trade.
Undeserved benefits are given to donors in return.
Un-accounted fiscal resources multiply inflation.
Un-accounted fiscal resources generate miscellaneous crimes.
 
What Can Be Done Under Law & Procedure
 
Complain to the local Income Tax Officers.
Complain to the Returning Officer.
Complain to the District Election Officer.
Complain to the Commission's election Observer.
Complain to the Commission's Election Expenditure Observer.
Complain to the Chief Electoral Officer.
Complain to the State Government.
Complain to the Election Commission.
Complain to the Police under Section 171 H of IPC in specific cases.
Complain to the Judicial Magistrate under Section 171 H.
Complain to the Police in cases or bribery.
Complain to the Judicial Magistrate in cases of bribery.
Complain to the Police in cases of free conveyance of electors.
Complain to the Judicial Magistrate in cases of free conveyance .
 
If You Fail, What Can Be Done Without Breaking Law
 
Call attention of a devoted NGO.
Organise collective action to expose excessive expenditure.
Discuss in Mohalla Committee.
Discuss in meetings of prominent citizens.
Discuss in meetings of local politicians.
Discuss in meetings of local pressman.
Discuss in meetings of Gaon Sabha.
Discuss in meetings of village Panchayat.
Draw the attention of opponent political parties.
Send photographs showing excessive expenditure to District Election Officer.
Send evidence of excessive expenditure to Election Commission.
File Election Petition within time as an elector.

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10. Un-Accounted Funding Of Elections
 
What Goes Wrong
 
Existing law permits election expenditure by body of persons.
Expenditure by party is not accounted against a candidate.
Accounts of political parties are not audited.
Political donations are not taxed.
Interested business houses donate funds to political parties.
Donor business houses are promised and given favors.
This practice is a handy instrument with party in power.
Other parties get this favor due to hard-line supporters.
Revenue offenders thus get informal immunities.
Black money thus circulates and multiplies.
Crimes and many social evils flourish due to illegal funds.
Existing limits of election expenditure are unrealistic.
These limits become theoretical in view of above gaps in law.
Un-accounted finances place candidates in advantageous position.
A man without un-accounted financial resources cannot contest.
 
What Can Be Done Under Law & Procedure
 
Complain to the local Income Tax Officers.
Complain to the Returning Officer.
Complain to the District Election Officer.
Complain to the Commission's Election Observer.
Complain to the Commission's Election expenditure Observer.
Complain to the Chief Electoral Officer.
Complain to the Election Commission.
Complain to the Police under section 171 H of IPC in specific cases.
Complain to the Judicial Magistrate under section 171 H.
Complain to the Police in case of bribery.
Complain to the Judicial Magistrate in cases of bribery.
Complain to the Police in cases of free conveyance of electors.
Complain to the Judicial Magistrate in case of free conveyance.
 
If You Fail, What Can Be Done Without Breaking Law
 
Call attention of a devoted NGO.
Organise collective action to expose un-accounted expenses.
Do not lend support protectors of tax dodgers.
Discuss in Mohalla Committee.
Discuss in meetings of prominent citizens.
Discuss in meetings of local politicians.
Discuss in meetings of local pressman.
Discuss in meetings of Gaon Sabha.
Discuss in meetings of village Panchayat.
Send photographs showing excessive expenditure and publicise.
Condemn wasteful expenditure publicly and collectively.
Honor austerity of electioneering publicly.
Invite candidate to disclose their funding public meetings.

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11. Criminalisation Of Politics
 
What Goes Wrong
 
Muscleman are used to intimidate weaker sections of electors.
Muscleman are used to intimidate political opponents.
Muscleman are used to intimidate election officials.
Muscleman are used to capture booths.
Muscleman are used to create general disorder when needed.
Muscleman are used to mobilize funds for electioneering.
Muscleman connive with politically motivated officers.
Criminal cases against favorite muscleman are under played.
Criminal elements are nominated as candidates.
 
What Can Be Done Under Law & Procedure
 
Organise collective action to thwart efforts of muscleman.
Lodge FIR for every single act of violence.
Complain to Presiding Officer in case of intimidation.
Complain to Returning Officer in case of intimidation.
Complain to District Election Officer.
Complain to Chief Electoral Officer.
Complain to election Commission.
Complain to Judicial Magistrate.
 
If You Fail, What Can Be Done Without Breaking Law
 
Call attention of a devoted NGO.
Expose criminal politicians collectively.
Publicly honor officers who confront criminals.
Publicly condemn officers who support criminals.
Discuss in Mohalla Committee.
Discuss in meetings of prominent citizens.
Discuss in meetings of local politicians.
Discuss in meetings of local pressman.
Discuss in meetings of Gaon Sabha.
Discuss in meetings of village Panchayat.
Make public enquiries about character and antecedents of candidates.

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12. Defacement Of Public AND Private Property
 
What Goes Wrong
 
Candidates with extra resources indulge in large scale wall writings.
Candidates and parties with extra resources put up expensive cot-outs.
These practices involve un-accounted financial resources.
These place some candidates in advantageous position.
Visual pollution is caused by wall posters, writings and cut-outs.
Traffic hazards are caused by these practices.
Walls and stand-posts bearing normal signals are obliterated.
Sometimes this practice leads to disrespect of national leaders.
This causes wrongful loss to the owners of the property.
These practices constitute an offence.
 
What Can Be Done Under Law & Procedure
 
Lodge criminal cases under local Acts.
File civil claims for damage to property.
Motivate public interest litigation against visual pollution.
Appeal collectively to political parties to restore cleanliness.
Complain to the Returning Officer.
Complain to the District Election Officer.
Complain to the Commission's observer.
Complain to the Chief Electoral Officer.
Complain to the Chief Secretary of the State.
Complain to the Police under relevant section of the local Act.
Complain to the Police under section 425-427 of IPC.
Complain to the D.M. under section 133 of Cr.P.C.
Complain to the Income Tax Officer for assessment of utilized funds.
Take photographs and give them to Election Expenditure Observer.
 
If You Fail, What Can Be Done Without Breaking Law
 
Call attention of a devoted NGO.
Discuss in Mohalla Committee.
Discuss in meetings of prominent citizens.
Discuss in meetings of local politicians.
Discuss in meetings of local pressman.
Discuss in meetings of Gaon Sabha.
Discuss in meetings of village Panchayat.
Organise collective demand to political parties to remove defacement.
Publicise in local press the defaced walls.

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13. Misuse Of Government Officials
 
What Goes Wrong
 
Politically motivated officers actively assist in electioneering.
Beneficiaries of welfare schemes are selected with political bias.
Extra constitutional authorities erupt in constituencies.
Officers are politically influenced in the grab of official meetings.
Politically motivated officer continue in same areas for long.
Politically helpful officers are given favorite assignments.
Forthright officers are sidelined.
Promotions and perks are given on political considerations.
Middle- level officers are misused to circumvent seniors.
Enforcement machinery is used to harass political opponents.
Government officers are misused in the name of protocol.
Government officers are misused in the name of security.
Personal staff of holders of Ministers is used in politics.
Such misuse is not restricted only to party in power.
 
What Can Be Done Under Law & Procedure
 
Formally complain against breach of official duty.
Complain to Returning Officer for breach of Model Code.
Complain to District Election Officer for breach of Model Code.
Complain to Commissioner's Observers for breach of Model Code.
Complain to Chief Electoral Officer for breach of Model Code.
Complain to Chief Secretary for breach of Model Code.
Complain to Chief Secretary for breach of Service Conduct Rules.
Complain to Election Commission for breach of Model Code.
Election Petition for corrupt practices.
 
If You Fail, What Can Be Done Without Breaking Law
 
Publicly honor officers of proven impartiality.
Publicly condemn politically motivated officers.
Peacefully boycott of misused official visits of Ministers.
Call attention of a devoted NGO.
Call attention of local press.
Call attention of political parties.
Discuss in Mohalla Committees.
Discuss in meetings of prominent citizens.
Discuss in meetings of local politicians.
Discuss in meetings of local pressman.
Discuss in meetings of Gaon Sabha.
Discuss in meetings of village Panchayat.
Organise collective demand to restore political rectitude.

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14. Misuse Of Government Machinery

What Goes Wrong

Official staff cars are misused in electioneering.
Official aircrafts are misused in electioneering.
Official guest houses are monopolized by Ministers.
Official guest houses are used as campaign offices.
Official funds are spent on making helipads.
Landing facilities are monopolized.
Aircrafts are a popular means of attracting crowds.
Government vehicles give greater mobility to party in power.
Party workers travel free with Ministers.
Traffic diversion attracts popular attraction.
 
What Can Be Done Under Law & Procedure
 
Complain to Returning Officer for breach of Model Code.
Complain to District Election Officer for breach of Model Code.
Complain to Commission's Observer for breach of Model Code.
Complain to Chief Electoral Officer for breach of Model Code.
Complain to Chief Secretary for breach of Model Code.
Complain to Chief Secretary for breach of Service Conduct Rules.
Complain to Election Commission for breach of Model Code.
Election Petition for corrupt practices.
 
If You Fail, What Can Be Done Without Breaking Law
 
Publicly honor those who do not use official machinery.
Publicly condemn those who misuse official machinery.
Peacefully boycott of misused official visits of Ministers.
Call attention of a devoted NGO.
Call attention of local press.
Call attention of political parties.
Discuss in Mohalla Committees.
Discuss in meetings of prominent citizens.
Discuss in meetings of local politicians.
Discuss in meetings of local pressman.
Discuss in meetings of Gaon Sabha.
Discuss in meetings of village Panchayat.
Organise collective demand to restore political rectitude.

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15. Partisan Conduct Officers
 
What Goes Wrong
 
Election related officers suffer from dual loyalties.
Weak officers sacrifice independence under local pressure.
Ruling executive is States and Center controls cadre.
Electoral Rolls are rigged in favor of political parties.
Officers take active part in political meetings.
Officers overlook breaches of Model Code and Instructions.
Polling personnel are appointed on political considerations.
Polling personnel at Polling stations help in rigging.
Polling stations are declared sensitive on political considerations.
Supervisory officers do not visit sensitive areas.
Police is deployed on political considerations.
Central Police Forces are made immobile.
Central Observers are made immobile and ineffective.
Favors are shown in permissions for public meetings/ processions.
Favors are shown in permits for use of vehicles.
Favors are shown by over looking technical errors in papers.
Favors are shown by permitting unauthorized entry in polling stations.
Favors are shown by permitting unauthorized entry in counting halls.
Favors are shown in observing undeserved protocols.
Misguided officers allow their caste and creed to be misused.
Arrests and detections are made on partisan basis.
Criminal cases are deliberately underplayed in certain cases.
 
What Can Be Done Under Law & Procedure
 
Complain to Returning Officer for breach of Model Code.
Complain to District Election Officer for breach of Model Code.
Complain to Commission's Observer for breach of Model Code.
Complain to Chief Electoral Officer for breach of Model Code.
Complain to Chief Secretary for breach of Model Code.
Complain to Chief Secretary for breach of Service Conduct Rules.
Complain to Election Commission for breach of Model Code.
Election Petition for corrupt practices.
 
If You Fail, What Can Be Done Without Breaking Law
 
Publicly honor forthright officers.
Publicly condemn politically motivated officers.
Call attention of a devoted NGO.
Call attention of local press.
Call attention of political parties.
Discuss in Mohalla Committees.
Discuss in meetings of prominent citizens.
Discuss in meetings of local politicians.
Discuss in meetings of local pressman.
Discuss in meetings of Gaon Sabha.
Discuss in meetings of village Panchayat.
Organise collective demand to restore bureaucratic honesty.
File public interest litigation.

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16. Indiscriminate Use Of Loud-Speakers
 
What Goes Wrong
 
Loud speakers are used without permission.
Loud speakers are used beyond permitted hours.
Loud speakers are used at very high volumes.
Loud speakers are used for personal attacks on opponent's character.
Loud speakers are used to fan communal / castiest propaganda.
This practice leads to excessive expenditure.
This practice leads to undue influence on the mind of the electors.
This leads to nuisance in public.
 
What Can Be Done Under Law & Procedure
 
District Administration should be asked to impose restrictions.
Specific cases of breach of permission should be registered.
Complain to District Election Officer.
Complain to Returning Officer.
Complain to Commission's Observer.
Complain to Chief Electoral Officer.
Complain to Election Commission.
Complain to Police under 133 Cr.P.C.
 
If You Fail, What Can Be Done Without Breaking Law
 
Collectively ask loud speaker owners.
Collectively boycott late hour public meetings.
File public interest litigation.

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17. Exploitation Of Narrow Sentiments
 
What Goes Wrong
 
Religious/ caste sentiments come handy for influencing electors.
Parties are named after religious names and symbols.
Candidates are selected on religious/ caste basis ignoring merit.
National and local issues of public importance are side lined.
Congregations in places of worship are misused for campaign.
Religious leaders are roped into politics.
Audio/ Video cassettes are played to rake up narrow sentiments.
Wall posters/ cutouts with religious symbols are displayed.
Communal riots are engineered near the day of polling.
Oaths are administered and Fatwas issued.
Electoral law is too weak to punish such misuse.
 
What Can Be Done Under Law & Procedure
 
Lodge criminal cases under relevant provisions of law.
Complain to Returning Officer for breach of Model Code.
Complain to District Election Officer for breach of Model Code.
Complain to Commission's Observers for breach of Model Code.
Complain to Chief Electoral Officer.
Complain to the Chief Secretary.
Complain to Election Commission.
 
If You Fail, What Can Be Done Without Breaking Law
 
Force managements of places of worship to disallow misuse.
Boycott political meetings in places of worship.
Collectively reject religious/ caste based propaganda.
Condemn publicly misuse of places of worship.
Solicit protection of places of worship by religious leaders.

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18. Underplaying Of Electoral Offences
 
What Goes Wrong
 
Cognizance of offences is not taken under electoral law.
Law & Order machinery does not follow up electoral offences.
This deliberate neglect is for fear of political reprisals.
Punishment provided in electoral law is too weak.
This encourages repetition of electoral offences.
This makes electoral violence an accepted part of the process.
This inhibits exercise of vote by peace loving electors.
This neutralizes vote of impartisan electors.
This results in criminals predominating politics.
 
What Can Be Done Under Law & Procedure
 
Lodge complain in each electoral offence however small.
Follow up electoral offences even in non-election times.
District Administration should be asked to follow up each case.
 
If You Fail, What Can Be Done Without Breaking Law
 
Call attention of NGOs towards past electoral offences.
Collectively attend Court hearing of electoral offences.
Popularise compendiums of law on electoral offences.
Condemn collectively and publicly the electoral offenders.
Verify publicly antecedents of candidates.
Publicly honor officers who get electoral offenders punished.

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19. Victimisation Of Straight Officers
 
What Goes Wrong
 
Large scale transfers are ordered after every elections.
These transfers are generally on political considerations.
Parties suspect officers of constituencies where they have lost.
Officers who do not sub-serve political interests are victimized.
Straight Officers are transferred to inconvenient assignments.
Straight Officers are subjected to undeserved departmental proceedings.
Straight Officers are deprived of due promotions.
Straight Officers are publicly humiliated by politicians.
 
What Can Be Done Under Law & Procedure
 
Volunteer to give evidence for straight officers.
 
If You Fail, What Can Be Done Without Breaking Law
 
Publicly honor straight officers.
Publicly condemn victimization of forthright officers.
Motivate public interest litigation in selected cases.

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20. Protection Of Corruption During Non-Election Period
 
What Goes Wrong
 
Political funds are collected even in non-election period.
Persons in position enjoy hospitality of revenue offenders.
In return illegal favors are shown to revenue offenders.
These favors include overlooking non-payment of taxes.
These favors include overlooking smuggling activities.
These favors include out-of-turn licenses etc.
These favors include out-of-turn quotas.
These favors include nomination of membership of upper houses.
Political protection multiplies dimensions of economic offences.
Multiplied dimensions may include anti-national activities.
Multiplied dimensions may jeopardize internal security.
Multiplied dimensions may compromise external defense.
 
What Can Be Done Under Law & Procedure
 
Complain to concerned enforcement authorities.
Complain against out-of-turn favors.
Complain to Lak Pals wherever appointed.
 
If You Fail, What Can Be Done Without Breaking Law
 
Collectively condemn political protection of economic offenders.
Collectively demand parties to disclose sources of funds.
Organise net-works of NGO against protected economic offenders.
Encourage political groups which work for honesty.

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