A Tool to Ensure Complete Voter Anonymity (GS Paper 2, Polity)
Introduction
- Devesh Chandra Thakur, a candidate from Janata Dal (United) in Sitamarhi, ignited controversy with remarks excluding nonsupporting Muslims and Yadavs, raising concerns about democratic principles and representative impartiality.
- Ensuring voter secrecy and fair conduct in elections is pivotal to upholding democratic values.
Importance of Voter Secrecy and the Model Code of Conduct
- Voter Secrecy: Rule 56 of the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961, safeguards voter anonymity by rejecting marked ballot papers that identify voters, preventing retaliation or inducements based on voting patterns.
- Model Code of Conduct (MCC): Enforced during elections, the MCC prohibits statements dividing communities or promising incentives for votes, ensuring fair electoral practices.
Introduction of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs)
- Adoption: EVMs replaced traditional ballot papers but posed challenges such as the inability to mix ballot papers, which exposed boothlevel voting patterns.
Proposal for Totaliser System
- Purpose: Introduced in 2007 to prevent identification of voting trends per booth, safeguarding voter privacy and curbing postelection victimization.
- Development: Developed and demonstrated by EVM manufacturers and the Technical Experts Committee of the Election Commission of India (ECI) in 2008, gaining initial political party approval.
Trial and Challenges
- Initial Trials: Successfully trialed in 2009 byeelections in Meghalaya and Uttar Pradesh, highlighting benefits in protecting voter confidentiality.
- Government Response: Despite ECI and Law Commission of India recommendations, government delays hindered totaliser implementation.
Legal and Political Challenges
- Writ Petitions: Several petitions sought totaliser adoption to preserve voter secrecy and deter coercion.
- Political Dynamics: Varying political party stances complicated adoption, with support from parties like Congress contrasting opposition from others like BJP.
Debate Surrounding Totaliser Use
- Law Commission’s Backing: Endorsed in its 255th Report, emphasizing totaliser’s role in safeguarding voter interests.
- Political Parties’ Positions: BSP, Congress, and NCP supported totaliser adoption, while others proposed phased introduction or outright opposition, citing concerns over data security and EVM reliability.
Current Status and Future Prospects
- Ongoing Debate: As of March 2018, unresolved discussions persist on balancing transparency, voter privacy, and electoral fairness.
- Technological Advancements: Discussions continue on leveraging technology to mitigate biases and enhance electoral processes.
Conclusion
- The debate on implementing the totaliser system underscores critical issues of electoral integrity, voter confidentiality, and the role of technology in democratic governance.
- Achieving a balance between transparency and privacy demands concerted efforts among judiciary, government, and political stakeholders to refine electoral practices and uphold democratic ideals.
