Remote Electronic Voting Machine

  

ECI has developed a prototype for a Multi-Constituency remote electronic voting machine(RVM) which would enable remote voting by migrant workers.

Why Needed:-

The voter turnout in general election 2019 was 67.4% and ECI is concerned about the issues of over 30 Crore electors not exercising their franchise as well as about the differential voters turnout in different States and UTs. This was greatest  challenge as well as concerning subject for ECI.

What is RVM:-

RVM can handle multiple constituencies from a single remote polling booth.

Method of Voting:-

* A remote voter will have to pre-register for the remote voting facility by applying online or offline   within a pre-notified time before elections.

* Voter details will be verified at the home constituency and voters request for the remote voting will be approved after successful verification.

* Special multi-constituency remote voting polling stations will be set-up in the place of their current residence.

Issues:-

1. Migrants are not a uniform and defined class with fluid identities, locations and situations. In the context of transience of migration in India ,the problem for the EC is to create an inclusive definition of migrants which at the same times does not open the system up to misuse.

Are all the migrant voters eligible?

What is the duration that a migrant has to stay outside home to qualify?

2. Question being asked about the technology based voting. How do RVMs enter the  conversation? As various countries reject EVMs for paper based ballots, does this move have the potential to raise further questions on the sanctity of electoral process itself?

3. How does remote voting affect election and campaigning ? This can provide an added edge to bigger parties and richer candidates who can campaign across the constituency.

Challenges:-

This can be possible challenges

1. Administrative Challenges

* Enumerating remote voters-self declaration

* Ensuring secrecy of voting at remote locations

* Provision of polling agents at remote voting booths

* Ensuring identification of voters to avoid impersonation.

* What is remote voting?

   Dealing with regional concept of election

* What is remoteness?

* Proper implementation of code of conduct.

2. Technical Challenges

* The method of remote voting the familiarity of the voters with the multi- constituency remote EVM and counting of votes.

* Identify true voters.

* Information of voters send to the native state's returning officer.

Apart from this ECI needs to answer this question.

* Are all migrant voters eligible?

* What is the duration that a migrant has to say outside home to qualify?

* There is a dependency on voters having a reliable internet connection, internet penetration and availability.

Need to amendment in following acts for proper functioning:-

The representation of People`s Act of 1950 and 1951.

The conduct of election rules 1961.

The registration of electors rules 1960.

Conclusion:-

It can handle multiple constituencies from a single remote polling booth which is urgent need to boost voter turnout as well as progressive step for democracy with following goal of ECI “No voters Left Behind”.