Training and technology
BACKGROUND
Electoral Training Institute (ETI) was established as a project under Election Commission Secretariat, Bangladesh with the fund of the Asia Foundation, NORAD and Government of Bangladesh (GOB) on January, 1995. The specific goal and objectives of the project were i) To establish an effective and efficient Electoral Training Institute, ii) To assist in the institutionalization of democracy in the country by raising skills and awareness among the personnel involved in the electoral process.
On successful achievement of goal and objectives, ETI was brought under Government revenue budget on April 1, 1999. From the inception of the Institute, total 25,57,934 personnel were trained up to 06 September, 2007
VISION
Election is the foundation of democracy. Its advancement largely depends on free, fair and impartial election. Efficient conduct of election is a pre-requisite for building democratic institution i.e., for institutionalization of democracy there is no alternative of free, fair and impartial election.
Democracy and election are interrelated. Election is an integral part of the institution of democracy and such a free, fair and efficient election process is a must for safeguarding democracy. Effective and fairly conducted election largely depends on skilled and well-trained election personnel as well as on the awareness of the voters and political activists about their franchise rights and knowledge of election rules and regulations.
Free and fair election mainly depends upon the efficient conduct of elections. Efficient conduct of elections depends on how the polling personnel conduct the poll efficiently. For making the polling personnel efficient, training is essential. Besides, fair election also depends upon accurate electoral rolls. And the preparation of accurate electoral rolls needs a group of trained volunteers/enumerators.
The vision, to establish ETI, is to provide training to the polling personnel involved in the electoral process to assist in the institutionalization of democracy which will promote the democratic norms and values of the society. Moreover, the vision is to increase the awareness among the voters of their civic, political and voting right.
MISSION
Election Commission Secretariat has established Electoral Training Institute for creating an efficient election management system as well as for making the election free, fair and impartial through efficient group of election personnel. Extensive use of the mass media including Radio & TV has been made in relaying voter education message through radio/TV spots, documentaries, and short films etc. The objectives of such specialized training are:
- To create an efficient electoral management system.
- To provide training facilities for the polling personnel.
- To educate the polling agents and political activists.
- To make the voters aware about their civil, political and franchise rights.
Returning Officer, Assistant Returning Officer, Presiding Officer, Assistant Presiding Officer, Polling Officer, Election Agents, Polling Agents, Voter Registration Officer, Revising Authority, Supervisors, Enumerators and the political activists are being trained and will be trained by this Institute. Moreover, Training Institute also provides facilities for training regarding voting system, prohibited acts during the elections, election offenses concerning candidates, election agents, polling agents, political activists and voters and also procedures to be followed by the members of law enforcing agencies during election. On the job training is also provided by the Institute to develop the skill of the election functionaries.
PHYSICAL INFRASTRUCTURE
Electoral Training Institute is continuing its activities on the top two floor of a four-storied rented building. It has one training room where 100 participants can join in training. It has one computer room, one conference room, officer’s rooms and staff’s rooms. It has a Library which has about 2006 Books, 191 Magazines and 85 Reports.
MANPOWER
There are 6 Officers and 20 supporting Staff at Electoral Training Institute.
Officers :
| Director | : 1 |
| Deputy Director | : 1 |
| Asstt. Director | : 2 |
| Asstt. Programmer | : 1 |
| Librarian | : 1 |
Staff
SUPPORTING STAFF : 20
COURSE TITLES OF TRAINING PROGRAMS
Preparation of Voter list , Election materials, Election Management, Voting System, Election Rules, Laws, Acts, Code of Conduct Rule, Electoral Law and Order, Office Management, Financial Management, Computer Fundaments, Operating System, Database Management System etc.
RESOURCE PERSONS
For Election related training:
Additional Secretary, Joint Secretary, Deputy Secretary, Senior Assistant Secretary from Election Commission, Director, Deputy Director and Assistant Director from Electoral Training Institute, Deputy Election Commissioner, Election Officer from field offices.
For other professional training:
Professional trainer from BIAM, BIM, FIMA, Auditor’s Dept., Planning Academy and other Ministries/Divisions.
TARGET GROUP/CLIENTELE
Returning Officer, Asstt. Returning Officer, Presiding Officer, Asstt. Presiding Officer, Polling Officer, Election Agents, poling Agents, Voter Registration Officer, Revising Authority, Supervisors for preparing electoral Roll. Political Activists, Journalist, Observer, Activists of NGOs, Member of Electoral Enquiry Committee. Law Enforcing Agencies, Magistrate in Charge of Election duties, Officers and staff of Head Quarter, Division, District & Upazila.
TRAINING METHODOLOGY
Electoral Training Institute follows a participatory approach. There is a right mixture of methods and techniques in presentation and discussion. Class lectures followed by audio visual presentation using Computer, Overhead Projector, Video Projector, Slide Projector use in the training program. Group Discussion, Individual Presentation, Exercise Method, Case Study, Simulation Methods, and Film Show also use in training program. Training of Trainer (TOT) method is followed when countrywide training becomes essential for mass people within specific time frame especially before the election.
TRAINING NEEDS ASSESMENT WORKSHOP
Pre and Post Elections workshop are arranged by this Institute with the people engaged in election duties such as election official, related NGOs activists, Journalists, Political leader, Election candidates, delegation of law enforcing agencies to forecast and determine the hindrance and difficulties to conduct the election free, fair and impartially. Based on opinions and practical experiences of the participants, a consultant submitted a report with necessary recommendations the ETI and these are under active consideration of Election Commission Secretariat.
ACHIEVEMENT
So far training programs have been conducted on the methods and procedures of voter registration, up-dating the electoral rolls of election, election offences, pre-poll irregularities, duties and responsibilities of the polling personnel, role of Judicial officials of Electoral Enquiry Committees, duties and responsibilities of law enforcing agencies, the requirement and the use of different forms, packets and materials at the polling station, conducting polls, franchise rights and role of the voters, role of observers, role of political activists in ensuring fair election, process of counting of votes, preparation of ballot paper account, statement of counts and consolidation of results, Computer Fundamentals, Operating System, Application Software, District Database System, etc.
25,57,934 personnel were trained from April 1995 to 31 Decrember, 2007. We prepared and disseminated short films, posters, banners, and booklets on voter Education and Awareness. Electoral system has been incorporated in the textbook for civil education.
CURRENT ACTIVITIES: SCHEDULE OF CURRENT TRAINING PROGRAMS
Following training programs for electoral personnel are scheduled for the fiscal year 2007-2008:
Training on TOT (Training of Trainer) for Electoral Roll with Photograph for all over Bangladesh.
Workshop :
(1) Plan and program for workshop on development and design of Training Structures and modules for core/master Trainer for Revising Authority.
(2) Plan and program for workshop on development and design of Training Structures and modules for core/master Trainer for City Corporation Election.
(3) Plan and program for workshop on development and design of Training Structures and modules for core/master Trainer for Municipality Election.
(4) Plan and program for workshop on development and design of Training Structures and modules for core/master Trainer for Transparant Ballot Box .
Tantative Training plan-2008
Sl. No
| Name of Couse
|
1.
| Training for Preparation of Voter list with photograph and NID
|
2.
| Organizatin, Financial and Election Managemt Course
|
3.
| Training of the Trainers (TOT)
(for Parliament Election)
|
4.
| Training for Parliament Election (Divisional/District/ Field Level )
|
5.
| Training for City Corporationn Election
|
6.
| English Language Skill
|
7.
| Computer Skill
|
8.
| Skill Development Course AO/PO
|
9.
| Skill Development Course for Class III Staff of field offices
|
10
| Implementation of Citizen Charter (for Officer)
|
11.
| Organizatin Managemt Course (for Officer)
|
12.
| Computer refresher Course(officer & staff)
|
13.
| Workshop-4 (Revising Authority, City Corporation, Municipality & Transparant Balotbox )
|
14.
| TOT for Core/Master Trainer (Revising Authority, City Corporation, Municipality & Transparant Balotbox )
|
15. | Bridge train the facilitators. |
Training Program completed January-2008
Name of Training
| Remarks
|
Preparation of Electoral Roll with Photographs and Facilitating the Issuance of National Identity (ID)Card
| 68 Upazila/Municipality has been covered
|
YEAR WISE NUMBER OF TRAINEES TRAINED BY ETI
Year
| No. of Trainees Trained
|
April, 1995 to 31 December, 1995
| 1116
|
1 January, 1996 to 31 December, 1996
| 739
|
1 January, 1997 to 31 December, 1997
| 3,99,378
|
1 January, 1998 to 31 December, 1998
| 10,478
|
1 January, 1999 to 31 December, 1999
| 41,408
|
1 January, 2000 to 31 December, 2000
| 3,62,269
|
1 January, 2001 to 31 December, 2001
| 6,68,540
|
1 January, 2002 to 31 December, 2002
| 35,078
|
1 January, 2003 to 31 December, 2003
| 5,16,097
|
1 January, 2004 to 31 December, 2004
| 54,295
|
1 January, 2005 to 31 December, 2005
| 3,03,765
|
1 January, 2006 to 31 December, 2006
| 6,714
|
1 January, 2007 to 31 December, 2007
| 1,58,057
|
Total Trainees Trained
| 25,57,934
|
Contact us
Electoral Training Institute
76/2 West Agargaon
Dhaka-1207, Bangladesh
E-mail : eti@bdmail.net
Fax : +880-2-8124075
Phone : +880-2-8122373, +880-2-8122372
