Delhi: Citizens Launch Independent Election Observer Teams, Helpline for Polls Tomorrow

New Delhi: As Delhi gets set to vote for seven Lok Sabha seat on Saturday, May 25, several civil society groups and over 300 individuals have set up citizens’ observer groups to ensure free, fair and peaceful polling in all seven constituencies.

 The capital city goes to polls tomorrow, with the key contest between the INDIA coalition and Bharatiya Janata Party. The INDIA bloc has reached a seat-sharing under which the Aam Aadmi Party is contesting four seats and the Congress three.

According to a statement released by civil society groups, the key objectives of the Independent Election Observers (IEO) team from Citizens Watch Group include physically visiting as many polling stations in different areas.

In case of the team spotting any possible wrongdoings, pace of elections, possible malpractices, etc., the team would report to the incidents to the Election Commission of India (ECI).

The citizens teams will also collect audio visual evidence of such incidents.

The IEO process has also offered a helpline to citizens to raise complaints so that these can be followed up with respective authority in the area / constituency. The numbers are: 9870419280 & 7982597191

The entirely voluntary teams will also build awareness about Form -17 C among voters and election agents of political parties.

“One of the key objectives of the effort is also to safeguard people against rumours and  misinformation that is circulated about elections and make sure that all citizens can take part in elections without intimidation or fear,” read the statement.

Read the full statement and the signatories below:

Citizens launch Independent Election Observers teams and helpline for peaceful Delhi LS polls

Many civil society groups and more than 300 citizens of Delhi have joined together to form a unique and inclusive process of independent election observation in the capital city, for the upcoming crucial Parliament elections on the 25th of May. The groups, with members representing all seven Lok Sabha constituencies of Delhi have done so in order to make sure that the elections in the city are free, fair and peaceful and citizens participate in upholding our constitutional duties.

The key objectives of the Independent Election Observers (IEO) team from Citizens Watch Group include:

1. Physically visit as many polling stations in different areas during the polling day on 25th May and investigate possible wrongdoings, pace of elections, possible malpractices, etc. from a citizen’s point of view and report incidents to the Election Commission of India as well as central coordination of IEO for further action. The team members shall collect audio visual evidence towards the same.

2. Utilise the Election Commission of India provided safeguards like the cVigil app and ECI app for reporting incidents violative of citizen’s rights during elections.

3. The IEO process offers helpline to citizens to raise complaints so that they can be followed up with respective authority in the area / constituency. The numbers are: 9870419280 & 7982597191

4. One of the key objectives of the effort is also to safeguard people against rumours and misinformation that is circulated about elections and make sure that all citizens can take part in elections without intimidation or fear.

5. The IEO process is not formed with any intention to replace the state agencies that are supposed to monitor elections and work for smooth conduct and citizen’s rights. Instead, the effort is to aid the same process by having citizen’s function as a watchdog  accountability mechanism. The teams shall follow all legally prescribed norms in order to not cause any disruption in the election process.

Basic instructions by IEO to all volunteer members:

1. Members / volunteers of the IEO teams shall visit different constituencies and polling stations / booths and observe elections in their capacity as citizens and members of the IEO process

2. The IEO teams / members are expected to report wrongdoings and malpractices or any deliberate slowing down of elections process, or violent disturbances - to the ECI and the IEO central coordination team. They must also build awareness about the Form -17 C among voters and lection agents of parties

3. No direct confrontations with election agents of parties or the respective election authorities or police is expected of the teams that are visiting. The task is to monitor and report so that such instances are documented and forwarded for action by authorities. Where there is no such action, it shall be moved for possible legal interventions

4. IEO teams will not engage in campaigning of any kind and will keep the integrity of the independent election observers’ process

5. IEO process shall make sure to encourage voters of Delhi to cast their citizenship right on the election day. Special focus will be in areas where politically and socially vulnerable communities reside.

6. The IEO group shall provide a complete list of constituencies and polling stations to all volunteers

7. The Citizen’s Watch Group shall compile reports of all members engaged in the process, with due note of the polling stations covered and complaints received, etc. into a uniform report and publish the same.

IEO is a voluntary process and not financed or supported by any organisation or agency - governmental or non-governmental. Hence all members are expected to spend their own resources - human and financial, for achieving the collective objectives, unconcerned of their own personal positions and biases in the election process.

Elections are an occasion to celebrate democracy. Our task is to make sure that every citizen of Delhi - unconcerned of their caste, class, gender, religion or ethnicity, are able to celebrate this and join forces.

We request media and journalists to make a note of the process so that we can work together in

strengthening the election process to be truly free, fair and peaceful. Kindly report the same and also help us reach out with the effort and helpline numbers to as many citizens of Delhi.

On behalf of the Citizens Watch Group and Independent Election Observers Initiative

Anuraj Singh

Banojyotsna Lahiri

Indu Prakash Singh

John Dayal

Koninika Ray

Nadeem Khan

Nalini Abraham

Nandini Sundar

Prakriti

Priya Dharshini

Syeda Hameed

Simin Akhter

Tushar

Vijendra Chauhan

Vinod Mohitay

Vijayan MJ

And others

# 9868165471 / 9311548645

Email: [email protected]