Strengthening the roots of democratic system in India, Panchayati Raj, has never been this effortless, courtesy: instant messenger named WhatsApp. The Internet-based messaging application is being used by Panchayati Raj Institution candidates and voters to present their grievances regarding the three-tier panchayat elections and by responsible authorities and interested non-Government bodies to provide suitable answers.
WhatsApp groups like ‘Panchayat Chunav live’ and ‘PRI Jharkhand’, formed by Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), are meant to bring together all the parties associated with the Panchayat elections to ‘strengthen the Gram Sabhas and Gram Panchayats’. “As candidates do not have support from an organised body, say a political party, there is no one to guide them in technical matters. We intend to initiate an easy channel of communication between the candidates and those with the know-how so that able candidates do not fail to contend due to misunderstanding the formalities,” said Sudhir Pal, ADR State Coordinator and admin of Panchayat Chunav live.
He further added, “Our primary focus is on marginalised section candidates. Basically, it is techno-managerial support that we extend, like help them in filing their nominations, keep expenses within limits prescribed by the Model Code of Conduct and more.”
Bulk of queries posted on these groups are answered by Government officials overseeing Panchayati Raj and electoral system. “We have State Election Commission and Panchayati Raj officials, BDOs and experts of the topic who are quite active on our groups in guiding panchayat election candidates on the path. Proper answers to their queries without taking much time even prevented some nominations from being disqualified,” stated Pal. The groups also provide a forum where voters can suggest what issues to be raised during upcoming panchayat elections and register their dissatisfaction over work of PRI members in the past.
“The limit on the number of members a group can have restricts us from adding voters from a varied background. But still we ensure that community based organisations have a representation in the groups so that they, in turn, can represent voters from all walks of life,” Pal said. “People post what has been done in their areas and what still needs to be done and then these topics are further discussed in detail. In this manner, problems which require attention of the aspiring or incumbent PRI members reach them almost instantaneously,” said senior journalist Vishnu Rajgarhia, member of one such group.
He further added, “We ask the candidates in our groups to commit to fulfil the demands of their voters and be true to the promises they made. We believe that they will fulfil their commitments.” But is the method reaching its targeted beneficiaries, those residing in the rural pockets of the State, or if is it just mere eyewash. In reply to this, Pal assures, “I had similar misgivings, but now stand corrected after analysing the reach of these groups. With telecom service providers expanding their reach even to far-flung villages and low-priced smartphones, people from rustic backgrounds are capable of using Internet and related services, and thus the initiative is a success.”