In late 2022, the Election Commission of India (ECI) introduced an innovative method of voting for internal migrants, known as the Remote EVM (R-EVM). This system was proposed to address the low voter turnout of 67.4% in the 2019 general election. A survey conducted by Lokniti-CSDS in September 2023 aimed to determine whether this method would garner a high level of trust from its users and assess the impact of various logistical and legal issues raised by political parties.
Defining the Remote EVM (R-EVM)
R-EVM, short for Remote Electronic Voting Machine, is a system designed to enable migrant voters who are unable to vote in their home constituencies due to relocation. The R-EVM facilitates these individuals to vote remotely, addressing the issue of domestic migrant voting.
Key Elements of the R-EVM System
To use the remote voting facility, voters need to register within a pre-notified timeframe with the Returning Officer (RO) of their home constituency. The system introduces multi-constituency remote polling stations that can handle up to 72 different constituencies, facilitating voting without requiring voters to travel back to their home constituencies. The voting process remains identical to the traditional methods, with the same security system applied.
Global Practice of Remote Voting
Several countries like Estonia, France, Panama, Pakistan, and Armenia have implemented remote voting systems for citizens livings abroad or away from their respective constituencies. This allows the expatriates to participate in the electoral process of their home countries.
Understanding the Significance of Migrant Votes
Migrants primarily move to urban centers like Delhi from neighboring states in search of better employment opportunities or due to family-related reasons. A large majority of these migrants, around 61%, have lived in their new residence for more than five years. However, a significant proportion consists of short-term migrants who come for seasonal work. Around 53% of the migrants are registered to vote in Delhi, while 27% remain registered in their home states. A particularly interesting finding is that many migrants maintain connections with their home states by returning to vote during elections.
Exploring Trust in the Remote Voting System
The proposed remote voting system has garnered varying levels of trust among the intended users. About 47% of respondents expressed trust in the system while 31% had reservations. There was a gender difference in this trust, with men showing higher trust than women. The level of trust also depended on the education level of the respondents.
Anticipated Challenges and Concerns
The introduction of R-EVM comes with its share of challenges and concerns. Similar to the current EVMs, the assurance of security remains an issue. Legal amendments to existing electoral laws are necessary to accommodate this new system. The legal framework must also redefine ‘migrant voter’ and clarify voter registration rules.
The concept of voter portability needs to be established respecting the legal constructs of ‘ordinary residence’ and ‘temporary absence’. Secrecy of voting, preventing impersonation, and effective supervision of remote voting stations are other areas of concern. Technological challenges that need to be addressed include familiarizing voters with the technology and ensuring accurate vote counting.
Recommendations for Success
For the successful implementation of the R-EVM system, several measures need to be considered. The process should be machine-independent and provide a simple method to cancel votes if necessary. It is also essential to ensure the confidence and acceptability of all stakeholders in the electoral system, including voters, political parties, and election machinery, to foster trust in the system and its efficacy.
