Mobile voter registration a damp squid

In a first-of-its-kind initiative to launch mobile vans to help people enroll as voters at their doorsteps has so far received a mixed response.

While a few say they benefitted from the move, there are complaints of these vans changing locations too often, making it difficult to track them. There are also complaints of lack of publicity, vans packing-up too early, crew on vans lacking in aware and many more.

The vans perhaps have been so "mobile" that, despite best efforts, it took dna reporters three days and two different locations to be able to trace one. First attempts to visit a mobile van at Bandra and Chandivali failed as the vans (as claimed by the staff on duty) had packed up by 4:00 pm. Officials, however, denied this and claimed that since each van has to cover two constituencies they change their positions often and work at least till 5:30 pm.

On Wednesday, when our reporter accompanied the van at Bail Bazaar area near Chandivali, not a single resident had any clue about the purpose behind the van's visit until it arrived and started making announcements.

"It is a good initiative but we wish we had been told about it beforehand through advertisements or pamphlets. We would have arranged for documents," said Bansi Lal, a local shopkeeper.

However, earlier in the day, the van assigned to 168 Chandivali, saw a steady stream of people trickling in with queries about required documents and the procedure to apply for a voter ID. The satisfaction levels of visitors varied as per their experiences with the staff.

Neelam Suchendran, a housewife, did not walk away with a pleasant experience. "Without checking all my documents they asked me to come again with passbook of a nationalized bank. It was only when I pestered and asked them to see my other proofs they realized that I had sufficient documents to sumbit the form," said an annoyed Suchendran.

Praveem Nishad, 32, an advocate who had come to collect form 6 (meant for registration as voter) for his wife, sounded positive. "The process seems quite simple. They've told me what documents will be required and which address to post it to once the form has been filled," said Nishad.

A college student Rupali Tanpure, 19, who came across the van on her way to college, said, "My mother told me that this van is giving out forms for voter ID registrations today, and luckily I have all my documents ready. I am looking forward to casting my first vote in the coming elections."

Another resident, Hardeep Kaur, however, said that there was scope for improvement, "Despite having filled out forms and receiving a slip from the election office for the last four years, my children still haven't received a voter ID card. Now, this van here is only working till 5pm. My children do not get back from work so early. They're asking them to take a day off which is not a feasible option," Kaur said.

What are mobile vans?
The mobile counters were launched on August 27 to collect applications for registration of new voters in the suburbs.
These mobile counters of the suburban collectorate will operate from special vans that will be stationed in different areas on different days, which would be decided by the election officers in charge.

How do mobile counters help?
The enrollment form (Form 6) are available at these counters and the election staff will also accept completed applications. The mobile counters, when launched, were announced to function on weekends too.

How long will the facility operate?
This mobile initiative, which has been organised for the first time, will continue till 10 days before the filing of nominations of candidates begins. The elections are due in mid-October and the poll schedule would likely start mid-September. Broadly, each van would cover two assembly constituencies.