Here are some reports of electoral malpractices from different parts of the world. Is there anything that these countries can learn from India to improve their elections? What would you suggest in each case? a) During an election in Nigeria, the officer in charge of counting votes deliberately increased the votes of one candidate and declared him elected. The court later found out that more than five lakh votes cast for one candidate were counted in favor of another. b) Just before elections in Fiji, a pamphlet was distributed warning voters that a vote for former Prime Minister, Mahendra Chaudhry will lead to bloodshed. This was a threat to voters of Indian origin. c) In the US, each state has its method of voting, its procedure of counting, and its authority for conducting elections. Authorities in the state of Florida took many controversial decisions that favored Mr. Bush in the presidential elections in 2000. But no one could change those decisions.
Here are some reports of electoral malpractices from different parts of the world. Is there anything that these countries can learn from India to improve their elections? What would you suggest in each case? a) During an election in Nigeria, the officer in charge of counting votes deliberately increased the votes of one candidate and declared him elected. The court later found out that more than five lakh votes cast for one candidate were counted in favor of another. b) Just before elections in Fiji, a pamphlet was distributed warning voters that a vote for former Prime Minister, Mahendra Chaudhry will lead to bloodshed. This was a threat to voters of Indian origin. c) In the US, each state has its method of voting, its procedure of counting, and its authority for conducting elections. Authorities in the state of Florida took many controversial decisions that favored Mr. Bush in the presidential elections in 2000. But no one could change those decisions.
Answer:
a)
- The Election Commission should be given independent powers, it should not come under the control of the Government or the President. It should be as independent and powerful as the Judiciary.
- The Government officials when deputed for elections should be under the control of the Election Commission and no one else should be able to control them.
- Nigeria should make use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).
- To ensure that there is no malpractice in the counting, agents of all the candidates should be present while the counting is done.
- Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) are sealed once the elections are over, and they should be taken to a secure place where they can be guarded.
- Newspapers, radios, social media, and television channels should be able to report on the election events so that it could serve as a deterrent for people trying to involve themselves in malpractice.
- Strict action should be taken by the Election Commission if someone indulges in malpractice.
b)
- The Election Commission should be made independent and powerful.
- The Election Commission should take the help of security agencies and deploy adequate security in the locations where there could be violence.
- People involved in violence should be given strict punishment as per law.
- The Election Commission should bring in a code of conduct for parties when elections are approaching; those violating it should be punished.
- The Election Commission should order repolling if there are malpractices.
c)
- The decisions on the announcement of elections, the control and conduct of elections, and the declaration of election results should be taken by the Election Commission.
- Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) should be used for polling.
- EVMs should be guarded in secure places.
- The Counting should happen simultaneously in all the places and representatives of candidates should be there while the counting takes place.
- If there is malpractice Election Commission should order repolling.
Answer:
a)
- The Election Commission should be given independent powers, it should not come under the control of the Government or the President. It should be as independent and powerful as the Judiciary.
- The Government officials when deputed for elections should be under the control of the Election Commission and no one else should be able to control them.
- Nigeria should make use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).
- To ensure that there is no malpractice in the counting, agents of all the candidates should be present while the counting is done.
- Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) are sealed once the elections are over, and they should be taken to a secure place where they can be guarded.
- Newspapers, radios, social media, and television channels should be able to report on the election events so that it could serve as a deterrent for people trying to involve themselves in malpractice.
- Strict action should be taken by the Election Commission if someone indulges in malpractice.
b)
- The Election Commission should be made independent and powerful.
- The Election Commission should take the help of security agencies and deploy adequate security in the locations where there could be violence.
- People involved in violence should be given strict punishment as per law.
- The Election Commission should bring in a code of conduct for parties when elections are approaching; those violating it should be punished.
- The Election Commission should order repolling if there are malpractices.
c)
- The decisions on the announcement of elections, the control and conduct of elections, and the declaration of election results should be taken by the Election Commission.
- Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) should be used for polling.
- EVMs should be guarded in secure places.
- The Counting should happen simultaneously in all the places and representatives of candidates should be there while the counting takes place.
- If there is malpractice Election Commission should order repolling.
