ECI’s Outreach Brings PVTGs into India’s Electoral Mainstream

Introduction

Election Commission of India (ECI)

has significantly expanded the participation of:

Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs)

in the:

• General Elections 2024

through:

• voter enrolment drives,
• electoral awareness campaigns,
• special polling arrangements,
• and last-mile outreach initiatives.

The efforts represent an important step towards:

• inclusive democracy,
• political empowerment,
• and electoral participation of historically marginalised tribal communities.

Historic Participation of PVTGs

A major milestone highlighted in the initiative was:

first-time participation of the Shompen tribe

of:

• Great Nicobar Islands

in a General Election.The development symbolises the expansion of:

• democratic inclusion,
• electoral access,
• and state outreach to remote tribal populations.

ECI’s Special Outreach Initiatives

Over the previous:

• two years,

the Election Commission undertook:

• special summary revision drives,
• enrolment camps,
• and voter awareness programmes

in areas inhabited by:

• PVTGs
• and tribal communities.

The objective was to ensure:

• 100% voter registration,
• enhanced electoral literacy,
• and active participation in the democratic process.

Focus on Electoral Inclusion

The ECI adopted several targeted measures including:

• special outreach camps,
• transportation support,
• tribal-themed polling booths,
• mock polling exercises,
• cultural awareness campaigns,
• wall paintings in local dialects,
• and mobile awareness vehicles.

The initiatives attempted to overcome barriers such as:

• geographical isolation,
• low literacy,
• difficult terrain,
• and lack of awareness.

State-Wise Tribal Participation

Madhya Pradesh

PVTGs:

• Baiga,
• Bhariya,
• Sahariya

Key Features

• 100% registration of eligible PVTG voters
• Tribal-themed polling stations
• Community-led decoration of polling booths

Karnataka

PVTGs:

• Jenu Kuruba,
• Koraga

Measures Taken

• District-level tribal welfare committees
• Electoral awareness campaigns
• 40 tribal-themed polling stations
• 100% enrolment of eligible PVTGs

Kerala

PVTGs:

• Koraga,
• Cholanaikayan,
• Kurumbar,
• Kadar,
• Kattunayakan

Important Feature

• Tribal voters walked through forest areas to access polling transportation facilities
• Elderly tribal participation highlighted democratic commitment

Odisha

Odisha has:

13 PVTGs

including:

• Bondo,
• Dongoria Khond,
• Juang,
• Kutia Kondha,
• Paudi Bhuiya,
• Saura,
• Birhore,
• among others.

Major Interventions

• 100% enrolment achieved
• Voter awareness in local dialects
• Folk art campaigns such as:
  • Pala,
  • Daskathia
• 20,000+ mock poll participants
• 666 tribal-themed polling booths

Bihar

PVTGs:

• Mal Pahariya,
• Sauria Paharia,
• Korwa,
• Birhor

Key Achievement

• 100% enrolment of eligible PVTG electors

Jharkhand

PVTGs:

• Asur,
• Birhor,
• Birjia,
• Korwa,
• Mal Paharia,
• Baiga,
• Savar

Achievement

• Special campaigns in hilly tribal regions
• Full registration of eligible PVTGs

Gujarat

PVTGs:

• Kathodi,
• Kotwalia,
• Padhar,
• Siddi,
• Kolgha

Outcome

• 100% registration of eligible PVTG voters

Tamil Nadu

PVTGs:

• Toda,
• Irular,
• Kota,
• Kurumba,
• Paniyan,
• Kattunayakan

Key Feature

• Tribal voters accessed polling stations through:
  • forest routes,
  • waterways,
  • and remote terrains

Chhattisgarh

PVTGs:

• Abujhmadia,
• Baiga,
• Birhor,
• Kamaar,
• Pahadi Korwa

Key Innovations

• Eco-friendly polling booths
• “Chunai Madai” voter outreach festivals
• 100% EPIC card distribution

Democratic Inclusion and Governance

The initiative demonstrates the role of elections in:

• political integration,
• citizenship empowerment,
• and participatory governance.

By ensuring tribal participation, the ECI strengthened:

• democratic legitimacy,
• representation,
• and constitutional inclusion.

The outreach also reflects the importance of:

• culturally sensitive governance,
• multilingual communication,
• and local community engagement.

Challenges Faced by PVTGs in Electoral Participation

PVTGs often face:

• geographical isolation,
• difficult terrain,
• poor transport connectivity,
• low literacy,
• and limited institutional outreach.

These barriers historically reduced:

• electoral participation,
• political visibility,
• and access to democratic processes.

The ECI’s intervention attempts to bridge these gaps.

Significance for Inclusive Democracy

The initiative aligns with broader constitutional values of:

• universal adult franchise,
• equality,
• political participation,
• and social justice.

It also demonstrates how:

• electoral institutions,
• administrative innovation,
• and grassroots mobilisation
  can strengthen democratic participation among vulnerable communities.

NECESSARY STATIC PART

Election Commission of India (ECI)

Constitutional Provision

• Article 324

Nature

• Constitutional body

Function

• Conduct free and fair elections
• Electoral roll preparation
• Voter awareness and participation

Present Chief Election Commissioner Mentioned

• Rajiv Kumar (during referenced outreach period)

Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs)

Total Number

• 75

Distribution

• 18 States and 1 Union Territory

Characteristics

• Geographical isolation
• Low literacy
• Economic backwardness
• Pre-agrarian practices
• Declining or stagnant population

EPIC

Full Form

• Electors Photo Identity Card

Purpose

• Voter identification during elections

PM JANMAN

Full Form

• Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan

Objective

• Welfare saturation and infrastructure development for PVTGs

Ministry

• Ministry of Tribal Affairs

Special Summary Revision (SSR)

Purpose

• Updating electoral rolls
• Inclusion of eligible voters
• Correction and verification of voter data

Updated - 01 May 2024 ; 03:16 PM | PIB [Posted On: 01 MAY 2024 2:46PM by PIB Delhi] | News Source – PIB