For Pershuram Singh, a polling officer, Bihar Assembly elections in 2000 meant the end of the road, quite literally. He lost his life on duty, as political parties scrambled to topple each other in one of the goriest elections in the state’s history. Around 60 people lost their lives during the polls.
Almost ten years after Singh’s death, the Election Commission of India wrote to chief secretaries of all states and Union territories, asking them to modify their memorandum of understanding with insurance companies, if any, to provide group accident cover for polling personnel.
In 2000, the Bihar government had taken group accident cover for polling personnel on duty in anticipation of violence. Singh’s wife had initially been refused compensation as he had died on duty of a heart attack and not violence. Later, however, after a ruling of the Patna High Court, she was given the claim amount.
Stating a court order by the Patna High Court, the letter by the election commission said: “The system of group insurance has not been very successful, in spite of large amount spent on payment of premium.”
The letter further said many hurdles were created by insurance companies in the release of compensation amount, even in cases of polling personnel dying on election duty. “In many cases, bereaved family members had to approach courts, seeking payments of compensation they genuinely deserved... which should have been released to them forthwith.”
Elections to the Legislative Assemblies of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Puducherry, Assam and West Bengal begin from April 16. The work of mobilising workforce is about to start.
West Bengal Assembly elections will begin on April 18. Ahead of the crucial polls, the state is grappling with Naxalite insurgencies — the latest incident happening in January in Netai, near the Maoist stronghold of Lalgarh. At least nine people were killed and 28 injured in the violence.
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In Assam, too, the recent attack at the Congress office, has reiterated the possibility of violent polls and threat from the outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom (Ulfa) activists.
Insurance companies say the cost of insuring polling personnel this year would be much more in view of the perceived violence threat in these states. Premium would be at least 25 per cent higher than last elections.
“For Northeastern states, insurance companies are generally reluctant to provide cover,” said a spokesperson of an insurance company.
So far, Bihar has been the most aggressive state in terms of insurance during elections. But, if past experience is anything to go by, West Bengal may soon be the top state in insurance premium payment, since Bihar witnessed one of the most peaceful Assembly elections last year, in spite of Maoists’ call for boycott of polls.
Insurance companies generally provide cover for up to Rs 10 lakh in case of death or permanent injury, depending on the terms of the contract. The premium charged for insuring each polling personnel was about Rs 200, but it could go up to Rs 300 this year, the official said.
Most state governments have been taking insurance cover for polling officers, but death of a few people can erode the entire premium as the sum insured is high.
“The claim experience has not been very good. Even three-four deaths can wipe out the entire premium, which makes insuring polling personnel a risky proposition,” said an Oriental Insurance official.
The rise in premium this year could be in the range of 20-25 per cent, said a senior official of National Insurance Company.
West Bengal has the highest number of voters (56,091,973) among the states going to elections. It has also the highest number of Assembly constituencies (294) among the five states. Informal estimates suggest that about 350,000 polling personnel would be deployed. Aware of the possibilities of disruptions, the election commission has already decided to post micro-observers at sensitive booths. Apart from this, it has decided to webcast the voting for transparency. This means the requirement of an even larger workforce.
“Normally premium is based on risk perception, and if there is an increased risk, the premium would rise, but, certainly, it would be for the entire state, and not one particular area,” said G Srinvasan, chairman and managing-director, United India Insurance.
The insurance cover for the polling personnel is generally taken by state governments. However, the West Bengal government has not floated tender for it yet. State government officials could not be contacted for comments.
In the past, insurance cover has been taken not only for personnel but also voters. According to a senior National Insurance official, such a cover was taken by the Bihar government about five years ago with the premium of Rs 3-4 crore.