Complete Election Campaign Checklist (From Start to Polling Day)

Phase 1: Pre-Nomination (6 Months – 1 Month Before)

Focus: Data, Infrastructure, and Branding.

[ ] Voter List Audit: Download the latest Electoral Roll. Use AI-driven voter profiling to identify “Committed,” “Neutral,” and “Opponent” households.
[ ] War Room Setup: Hire a data lead, a digital manager, and a ground coordinator. Install high-speed internet and local server backups for data security.
[ ] Financial Compliance: Open a separate bank account exclusively for election expenses (Mandatory for ECI monitoring).
[ ] Digital Footprint: Verify your social media profiles. Clean up old, controversial posts. Optimize your Wikipedia and personal website for search.
[ ] Issue Mapping: Identify the top 3 hyper-local issues (e.g., specific drain blockage, local school staff shortage) to differentiate yourself from the state-level narrative.

Focus: Compliance and Official Status.

[ ] Suvidha Portal Registration: Log in to the ECI Suvidha Portal to prepare your online nomination and affidavit.
[ ] Affidavit Verification: Double-check Form 26. Ensure every asset, liability, and criminal record (if any) is disclosed. In 2026, discrepancies are caught instantly by integrated AI systems.
[ ] Security Deposit: Pay the deposit online to save time at the Returning Officer’s (RO) office.
[ ] Official Permissions: Apply for vehicles, rallies, and loudspeakers via the Suvidha app. Do not start campaigning without a digital permit.
[ ] Agent Appointments: Identify your Election Agent and Counting Agents. Submit Form 8 and Form 18 respectively.

Focus: Outreach and Mobilization.

[ ] Panna Pramukh Activation: Assign one volunteer per page of the voter list. They must visit their assigned 30–60 voters at least twice.
[ ] Content Calendar: Daily WhatsApp voice notes in the local dialect, 2-minute “Live” sessions on Instagram, and specific video rebuttals for rival rumors.
[ ] MCC Compliance: Ensure no flags or posters are placed on private property without written owner consent. Use the cVIGIL app to monitor your own team’s behavior.
[ ] Booth Committees: Set up a 10-person committee for every polling station. Their job is to map the “vulnerability” of the booth.

Focus: Personal Persuasion and Surveillance.

[ ] Campaign Freeze: Stop all public meetings and digital ads 48 hours before the poll starts.
[ ] Voter Slip Distribution: Hand-deliver “Voter Information Slips” with the serial number and booth location. This is the best time for a final 1-on-1 emotional appeal.
[ ] ASD List Prep: Give your agents the list of Absent, Shifted, and Duplicate (ASD) voters to prevent bogus voting by the opposition.
[ ] Logistics Check: Ensure food and water are arranged for your booth agents. Confirm they have their Form 10 (Appointment of Polling Agent).

Focus: Turnout and Vigilance.

[ ] Mock Poll Check: Ensure your agent is at the booth by 5:30 AM to witness the mock poll and sign the certificate.
[ ] Hourly Turnout Tracking: Use your internal app to track how many of your “Category A” voters have voted. Mobilize “Slow” booths at 2:00 PM.
[ ] Incident Reporting: Any booth-level disruption must be recorded and uploaded to the RO/DEO immediately.
[ ] The Final Seal: Ensure your agent stays until the EVM/VVPAT is sealed and they receive a signed Form 17C (Account of Votes Recorded).