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Wednesday 21 September 2011

Should Voting be Compulsory in India?



 
In democracy it is believed that elected candidates represent citizens and work for aspiration of the people. Past experience shows that approximately 15% of total voters in an election constituency are adequate to get elected. Fundamental reason is 50% or more don't vote at all. There are many contestants in which 3-4 are of major consideration. Therefore even 15% or less voters vote for a particular candidate the candidate gets elected. How can a candidate elected by 15% voters be people's representative? Ideally the candidate who is supported by 100% voters should be considered as people's representative. In practice it is difficult. The other solution should be the candidate should be supported by over 50% voters. This should be considered as a reasonable criterion. In order to fulfil this criterion almost all voters must vote.
Fundamental problem is to find the right booth where voter's name is registered. Those who really are serious do try to find and when not found return back without voting. Therefore the process right from registration must be studied and solutions found for every problem. When registration is done the name is written either in Roman or local language. This is then converted in other script. While doing this, mistakes occur. Result is even if the voter has name in the list it is never traceable. Second problem is while preparing voter list voter identity number is never entered. This number could be the easiest method to search voter list online. The voter list must include full name in both the scripts, voter identification number registered on the card, full address and pincode of residence area. If this is done meticulously for all voters then the problem of finding name in the list shall be taken care off.
Once care is taken of voters' list the next responsibility of administration is to give him/her a slip which gives name in full, voter card identity number, address, pincode and photo. This slip should be made available in the area where the voter lives or supposed to vote. In case if a voter with voter card is not found in the list a certificate to that effect must be given to the citizen. In short every citizen holding voter identity card must get either of these two slips. Those who get first slip should be directed to correct booth. One person here should check the slip and the card and allow the voter to get in the queue. After vote is caste the officer who supervises/controls voting must sign and stamp the slip. This slip shall prove that a particular citizen has voted. Citizen holding other slip "Name not found in the list" shall prove that the person tried his/her best but due to administrative shortcomings could not vote.
The requirement of voting booths shall increase twice or thrice. It must be necessary to have booth for every 600 voters. Study must be carried out to decide time needed for voting by a single voter. Firstly time is needed to search list and find whether name exists in the list. Then issuing either "Found" or "Not Found" slip. Then those with "Found" slip shall wait in the queue for voting. Finally voter casts vote and the person receives certificate on the slip to that effect duly signed and stamped. Administrative staff should be given specific training about their job and also written letter showing their responsibilities and powers. They should be given at least twice the daily allowance for which individual is entitled. In addition they must be given bonus for good work and punishment for improper work and inhuman behaviour.
There is a need to lock names of all persons who has been issued "Found" slip. This way duplicate voting shall be controlled. There may be more problems. All must be addressed and a solution found for nearly 100% voting. Any candidate who if not 100% at least more than 50% votes can be considered as people's representative.

6 comments:

Janahitwadi said...

Comment on facebook Chat by Geet Purwar: yes, 100%

Janahitwadi said...

theprudent Prudent Indian on Twitter gave following comment:

@janahitwadi ABSOLUTELY YES. Not voting should b considered as dereliction of Duty and offender should be barred from benefits of Democracy

Janahitwadi said...

MeruGokhale Says
No, I think that would be slightly dictatorial.

Janahitwadi said...

@MeruGokhale Nation has given liberty to voters for 64 years. They have not understood importance as yet. In my opinion compulsion is rightly needed.
Please sign petition @ http://www.change.org/petitions/prime-minister-of-india-make-voting-compulsory?share_id=BJHeHZhaGU&pe=pce

Janahitwadi said...

asunaina sunaina s ahluwalia says on twitter:
Yes, voting should be compulsory in India to ensure that all are sharing the responsibility for what follows

Janahitwadi said...

Reserve Bank of India has issued directives to all scheduled commercial bank to make available Zero balance account named as Basic Bank Account to every one. The account shall have facility for Debit cum ATM card at no extra charges. Therefore every eligible person can have a bank account in near future. This is the first step towards eradication of corruption in public life. I had suggested this in my article @ http://janahitwadi.blogspot.in/2011/01/new-bank-accounts.html
Now there is a need the citizens press their demand for other bank accounts. Social workers and leaders can take up this issue and succeed.

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