In Delhi elections Aam Aadmi Party got 28 seats, 8 short of 36
required to get majority and form government. And on almost 12 seats it
stood second by 500-2000 votes.
So clearly, every vote is important in an election few votes can form or break the government.
But are our voting system really perfect enough ?
I was standing at one of the grocery shop in my home town. And there came a small 5 year old kid flaunting black ink on his finger saying "i voted for flower".
I thought it must be just the think and not the vote, but i was wrong!
I asked his guardian accompanying him, did this child really vote? And the appalling answer was: "yes, he voted on slip of his uncle who was not in the city"
He also added that people in the polling station were very friendly and allowed the kid to go and vote!
I was astonished to learn that a kid was allowed to vote! Voting is such a serious phenomenon. It decides future of the nation. And it also shows that there is some serious loophole in election systems in India that a 5 year can go and vote as if it is some child's play?
Voting is not child's play. Elections are the steering that drive the nation's vehicle. Faux voting can lead to undesired results.
This clearly shows that proper strict voting is on the mercy of polling station officers. They may allow a 5 year old to vote they may as well allow (to their convenience )
In other case, in New Delhi, 7000 names in voter list were not found. This is such a serious error! No one is talking about the ill-management?
I think before even thinking of fighting elections we must try to make the election system better so that it leads to fair competition and real results!
I felt annoyed and helpless (typical signs of a common man) but blogging came to my rescue. I spent a few hours studying the systems all over the world used in voting. Analyzing how they are different in India as compared to theirs.
My learning->
India voting systems are still following the old methods and apparatus, and there is no real innovation in the process till today!
Way behind from what's happening in the world! Not a good show by a nation which claims to be Information Technology pro society!
A lot has changed in last 50 years but the core of voting systems remain the same.
While i still do believe that Indian voting systems are good, but voting is like the breath of the nation , iti njects life in democracy!
We cannot contend with a election system that is anything below than best and try to make it perfect not only making the process smooth but also foolproof!
Yes, there are websites for every state election commission where you can search your name but that's it! You cannot register your name on these sites. The registration process here is almost analogue because after filling up the form you will have to print it out and follow all the offline methods of contacting the Booth Level Officer and several rounds of paper requirement.
Also read:
Beyond the ballot - a report on democracy innnovtions all over the world
So clearly, every vote is important in an election few votes can form or break the government.
But are our voting system really perfect enough ?
I was standing at one of the grocery shop in my home town. And there came a small 5 year old kid flaunting black ink on his finger saying "i voted for flower".
I thought it must be just the think and not the vote, but i was wrong!
I asked his guardian accompanying him, did this child really vote? And the appalling answer was: "yes, he voted on slip of his uncle who was not in the city"
He also added that people in the polling station were very friendly and allowed the kid to go and vote!
I was astonished to learn that a kid was allowed to vote! Voting is such a serious phenomenon. It decides future of the nation. And it also shows that there is some serious loophole in election systems in India that a 5 year can go and vote as if it is some child's play?
Voting is not child's play. Elections are the steering that drive the nation's vehicle. Faux voting can lead to undesired results.
This clearly shows that proper strict voting is on the mercy of polling station officers. They may allow a 5 year old to vote they may as well allow (to their convenience )
In other case, in New Delhi, 7000 names in voter list were not found. This is such a serious error! No one is talking about the ill-management?
I think before even thinking of fighting elections we must try to make the election system better so that it leads to fair competition and real results!
I felt annoyed and helpless (typical signs of a common man) but blogging came to my rescue. I spent a few hours studying the systems all over the world used in voting. Analyzing how they are different in India as compared to theirs.
My learning->
India voting systems are still following the old methods and apparatus, and there is no real innovation in the process till today!
Way behind from what's happening in the world! Not a good show by a nation which claims to be Information Technology pro society!
A lot has changed in last 50 years but the core of voting systems remain the same.
While i still do believe that Indian voting systems are good, but voting is like the breath of the nation , iti njects life in democracy!
We cannot contend with a election system that is anything below than best and try to make it perfect not only making the process smooth but also foolproof!
Yes, there are websites for every state election commission where you can search your name but that's it! You cannot register your name on these sites. The registration process here is almost analogue because after filling up the form you will have to print it out and follow all the offline methods of contacting the Booth Level Officer and several rounds of paper requirement.
- Set up permanent departments for voter registration
In almost every democracy, (except India ) voter registration goes out through out the year!
There should be permanent centers where people may go and get their name in voting list. Currently, Voter list addition is done only few months before election or once/twice a year.
Permanent agencies should be appointed in education and information departments who take care of this work.
Currently, majority of the computer related work is outsourced. Many times these contractors make mistakes intentionally while filling up forms etc so that they can increase the amount of time taken in doing the task and increase their bills.
There could be a simplified process where Govt Teachers/Booth level officers or gazetted officers may approve applications based on documents and affidavit provided by the applicant.
- More easier and electronic ways to register name in electoral rolls
Right now old age method is used where you have fill a form and submit it.
Online registrations are not really electronic because after filling the form online you still have to go and print out and subsequently find your BLO and submit it and follow all slow, time consuming and inconvenient offline procedures.
If people can file their income tax online. Then why not change their constituency online? Just give them a password and create an online system which enable them to do so! - Lower minimum voting age to 16
Currently many countries in the world have minimum age for voting as 16.
HIstorically, people at this age have joined army, run businesses and make families. Even today, in schools colleges we see students studying Social studies and are aware of current affairs.
A 16 year old person is fully developed in thinking and aware of his surroundings. Increasing number of youth voters will help in better results. - Voter registration should be carried out 364 days and not just few weeks/months
Majority of youngsters from smalltowns these days do not live in their hometowns after studies. They move to metro cities for higher studies or jobs. Sometimes they change cities within months.
There is a big chunk of working population which change locations for professional reasons. People working in transport systems.
So Election commission should introduce a system where people are able to change their constituency and register as a voter easily. and permanent centers. - Make it a compulsory half day-holiday
While government has made laws that there will be a holiday (if required) but still many voters choose to not to vote because they are having important meeting coming up etc.
Many shop owners may not go because they will loose
One positive bandh!
Common India! We have so many political bandhs can't we have one compulsory holiday for the most pious "karma day" of our democracies? Or just schedule voting on a holiday only? - Increase evening time to 7 pm
Increase voting timings from current 8AM to 5 PM to 7 PM.
As the percentage of voting increases, there are longer ques at polling stations and as seen this time voting went on to 8:30 and even 9 o clock.
Doing this will encourage daily wage workers to come back from work and go to vote. Currently, these people have to make a choice between their one day wage or vote! And one day salary for these people may mean a lot! Increasing the timings will lead - Increase number of registered voters - Permanent centers, with permanent timings
Currently, if you want to register your name you first have to wait for an advertisement and then look-up details of registration camps. Due to this confusing and random process many people miss out and are not able to get their names in voter list.
Its important to set up Permanent centers, with permanent timings throughout the year. Will definitely result into more registrations.
These permanent centers may not conduct registrations everyday, but even a single day every week will suffice. Saturday or Sunday.
Schools can be a perfect place for such tasks. One day in week can be permanently marked for such activities of getting name registered. Etc.
A notice board outside such centers should be put up with details of timings and contact details of Booth Level officer managing the registration activities. - Introduce Absentee voting for common people
Currently, this feature is only available for on-duty election staff and soldiers.
All throughout the world in many democracies general people are allowed for postal voting after citing reaons. In some cases even reasons are not required.
There could be a debate on this topic on the manner used to get people to vote - Make voting compulsory
Often talked about but not much emphasized is compulsory voting.
Voting may not be a single day process. It may go on for a week. Allowing people multiple chances to caste their vote.
There should be some sort of fine or punishment if a person does not caste their vote even after getting multiple chances. Because by not voting you are allowing wrong people to go enter into temple of parliament. - Create laws with severe punishments to stop bogus voting and cheatings
Right now bogus voting is caught in almost each elections.
Stringent punishment laws may also deter political parties from getting involved in getting fake names in voter list.
Also read:
Beyond the ballot - a report on democracy innnovtions all over the world
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