In the run up to the Indian National elections in June 14, BJP think tank introduced a novel effective tool to increase the voters turnout on the polling day.
In
Indian democracy the winner is the candidate who obtains the largest
number of votes. The percentage of total votes is immaterial.
Usually,
the Indian political parties appoint pooling booth incharge who are
mandated to aim for a large voter turnover on the polling day.
The
average pooling booth has 1000+ voters. To increase the stickiness
level, Shri Amit Shah, BJP National President introduced the idea of
Panna Pahari.
Under
Booth
Incharge, another level was introduced. These appointees were
known as “Panna prahabhai's”.
“Panna”,
is a hindi word and the English equivalent is “Page”. Each Panna
prahabhai was made inchrage of a Voter List Page. Usually this voter
list page had names of 60 voters. The Panna prahabhai had only to
focus on this voter population. Nothing more, nothing less.
The
stratgey was finalised couple of months before elections, and on T-30
days the list of Panna prahabhais was announced. Since the
announcment day, the Panna prahabhais only focus was to ensure
maximum voter turnover on the polling day.
This
strategy paid rich dividends in Uttar Pradesh enabling BJP to win a
large number of seats. Seats which were not on its radars.
The
Panna prahabhais were RSS workers or BJP Workers. However, a large
number of non-workers too joined this movement. One reason for this
attraction could be indications that successul Panna prahabhais could
be suitaby rewarded with non-financial incentives.
The
same strategy was adopted in the recent Delhi
elections too with varying sucess rates.
With
elections over, this lowest level of touch point has been
deactivated. However, in the long run, the Panna prahabhais
stickiness
tool should be continued and also can be adopted by any political
party.
Major
success can be achieved if this is marketed in the right way among
potential aspirants. The aspirants should be made clear that there
are no immediate incentives and can be stepping point for social
service. The social service must be made without any expectations.
The
focus population too should not be promised heaven. The only promise
that should be made is that there will be able to lead a quality
life.
Areas
where Panna prahabhais can intervene:
Ensuring
that the voters complete the National Electoral Rolls Purification
and Authentication Programme (NERPAP)
program i.e Linking and authentication of EPIC data of electors with
Aadhar data.
- Ensuring that all have access to Bank accounts.
- Ensuring Jan Dhan Account holders operate their PMJDY accounts regularly
- Ensuring completion of formalities for PMJDY Overdraft facilities
- Assisting in PMJDY Insurance formalities
Panna
prahabhai can also be called a panna pramukh
Any citizen with minimum time to spare and commitment to spread joy can be a Panna Prahabhai/Panna Pramukh.
Political
parties can pitch with basic organisational support. The main
advantage they would witness during election time, as the Panna
Pramukh would have been in constant touch with his/her focus
populaiton. Minimum effort by the respective Panna Pramukh would be
sufficeint to motivate them to walk to the polling booth and do the
voting.
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