MC Interview: QR codes in voter slips, online queue tracking, parking space to boost Bengaluru's voter turnout: Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer

Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Manoj Kumar Meena

The Office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Karnataka, near Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru, is bustling. The elections for 28 Lok Sabha seats in Karnataka will be held in two phases, with South Karnataka voting on April 26 and North Karnataka on May 7. In an interview with Moneycontrol, CEO Manoj Kumar Meena shared details about poll preparations and concerns regarding lower voter turnout.

Excerpts:

Bengaluru is infamous for its low voter turnout. Do you believe it’s because of urban apathy and do factors like errors in the electoral rolls too play a part?

Low voter turnout is a nationwide phenomenon in metro cities like Chennai, Mumbai, Kolkata, Delhi, and Bengaluru, which are all in a similar situation. We make significant efforts to clean our electoral rolls. In Bengaluru, there are 98 lakh voters, so if you analyse the total population, it shows a very healthy Elector to Population ratio. We also conduct various activities within apartment complexes and other places to encourage voter turnout. The removal of deceased voters and other such measures are also undertaken. But various other factors also influence polling percentages, including the level of enthusiasm among the people on several issues.

What efforts are being taken to improve polling percentage?

We are planning to distribute voter slips with a QR code. So, if you scan it, it will navigate you to the polling booth through Google Maps. We piloted this recently, and it was used for the first time during the recent teachers' constituency polls in Bengaluru. This initiative helped increase the polling percentage from 66 percent in 2020 to 86 percent in 2024. People usually don't know where their polling station is located, especially in urban areas, because they may not be familiar with government buildings, schools, and other landmarks. So, we are converting the latitude and longitude of the polling stations into QR codes and printing them on the voter slips. This will also improve our distribution of voter slips. We plan to distribute them to more than 80 percent of voters. This means that people, especially borderline voters, will be encouraged to go to the polling station. We are hopeful that this initiative will serve as a reminder and a personal invitation for people to visit the polling stations.

Also, read: Lok Sabha Polls: Bengaluru to vote on April 26, a Friday, amid concerns over voter turnout

Has there been an upgrade of facilities at polling stations?

All polling booths will have basic facilities like drinking water, toilets, ramps, and wheelchairs. Our Chunavana mobile application will provide real-time information on the queue at polling stations, available parking spaces, and the option to book wheelchairs and arrange pickups for elderly and senior citizens. We also have theme-based polling stations, including those staffed entirely by women, youth polling stations with officers below 30 years of age, polling booths manned by differently-abled staff, and ethnic polling stations in tribal areas designed to resemble their houses. This approach aims to ensure that voters feel comfortable and familiar, reducing any sense of being strangers or alienated, which, in turn, may encourage voter turnout.

Polling day is a paid holiday, and Bengaluru votes on a Friday (April 26). Will it affect the polling percentage? What is your target?

In Karnataka, we are aiming for a minimum of 72 percent turnout, and in Bengaluru, at least 60 percent. I don't believe that having the election on a Friday or Wednesday will make any difference. In fact, during the last assembly election, voting took place on a Wednesday in Bengaluru. If someone wants to vote, they will do so

We have identified polling stations with very low turnout rates. For example, in Bengaluru, overall voting percentage is 54 percent, but there are around 2,000 polling stations with turnout rates even below 30 percent- 35 percent. Our team has already visited area stations and is creating awareness among the people, urging them to come out and vote.

Voter registration or address changes can be done online, and voters can access information about their candidates, including affidavits detailing educational qualifications, criminal cases, assets, and liabilities, as well as voter turnout statistics through our app. Senior citizens and differently-abled voters who are not tech-savvy could contact our officials for wheelchair or transportation assistance. We will also set up information desks at polling stations to address any doubts and guide voters.

How are you tackling the problem of political parties using deepfakes and social media influencers?

We have set up a control room, and our primary focus is on combating misinformation, particularly anything that could incite animosity among people. If necessary, we will temporarily hire more technically proficient people. We are closely monitoring newspapers, TV channels, and social media platforms. As soon as we detect any misinformation, we promptly refer it to the respective officer for verification and appropriate action.

During every election, cash, freebies, liquor, and other materials are seized. So far, it’s understood that you have confiscated items worth more than Rs 55 crore in Karnataka. What happens to these seized items after the elections?

During elections, there are regulations concerning items you carry; anything violating the law will be confiscated. For instance, if you're carrying a significant amount of cash exceeding the legal limit, it's considered a violation of the Income Tax Act. In such cases, after interception, the cash will be seized, and procedures involving Income Tax regulations will be followed. If they provide documentation proving that the money is legitimate, meant for bank transactions, or lawful purposes, we have a grievance committee to assess such claims. If satisfactory documentation is provided, cash/seized items are released. We release about 45 percent of the seized items after every election, based on our past experience.

Muscle power or money power, which poses the bigger challenge in Karnataka?

In Karnataka, the influence of money power is more prevalent than muscle power, so we are keeping a close watch. While threats to voters to deter them from voting are rare in the state, we always intensify our efforts in vulnerable areas and take all necessary precautions. But our primary focus is on preventing political parties from distributing freebies.

Are there instances of political parties using UPI modes to transfer money to voters?

We have a system in place to verify all bank statements. Each district's banks collectively provide us with daily updates. We have established patterns to identify suspicious activities, such as a significant increase in transactions from one account to multiple recipients. For instance, if an account transfers Rs 5,000 each to 20 people, this raises red flags for us, and we will take action accordingly.

What is your message to voters?

Before 1947, only a small percentage of people, mostly graduates or individuals with certain privileges, had the right to vote. This universal franchise is a significant achievement, considering the struggles endured by our freedom fighters.  Voting is not merely a right; it is a privilege and a responsibility. By peacefully participating in elections, we exercise our power to choose a government, a liberty that many around the world do not possess. We must acknowledge the sacrifices made by those who fought and died for this right. So, we should not take the electoral process lightly. It is a celebration of democracy, and every vote counts.