Panna prahabhai – A perfect tool to ramp up NERPAP success rate

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.

1. Ensuring that all have access to Bank accounts.
2. Ensuring Jan Dhan Account holders operate their PMJDY accounts regularly
3. Ensuring completion of formalities for PMJDY Overdraft facilities
4. 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.