The Election Commission Of India is pushing for an expansion in the realm of postal ballots, a proposal it has brought to the attention of the Union Law Ministry. The proposition involves increasing the coverage of the postal ballot to incorporate voters who are on duty. This would include individuals working in sectors such as aviation and shipping, firefighters, medical practitioners, traffic personnel, long-distance bus drivers in the road transport corporation, elderly citizens, people with physical disabilities, and journalists covering the election process.
To implement this change, it would be necessary to amend the Representation of the People’s Act of 1951 (RP Act), as well as the Conduct of Election Rules, dated back to 1961.
What is the Representation of the People Act, 1951?
The Representation of the People Act in 1951 is a crucial legislative piece responsible for dictating the conduct of elections within India. It specifically addresses issues such as the required qualifications and potential disqualifications of members of both Houses of Parliament, as well as State Legislatures. Further, it outlines the administrative machinery necessary for conducting elections, registration of political parties, management of election disputes, corrupt practices & electoral offences, and by-elections.
The Postal Ballot System
The postal ballot system revolves around the distribution of ballot papers electronically. The electors receive these papers and return them to the designated election officers via post. Currently, only specific categories of voters have permission to vote through postal ballot. This includes service voters – comprising armed forces, the armed police force of a state, and government servants posted abroad, voters engaged in election duty, and voters under preventive detention. The RP Act, 1951, specifically details these exceptions under Section 60.
A Closer Look at Some Facts
| Voter Category | Eligibility for Postal Ballot |
|---|---|
| Service Voters (armed forces, state’s armed police force, government servants abroad) | Yes |
| Voters on Election Duty | Yes |
| Voters under Preventive Detention | Yes |
| Journalists covering elections, Workers in Aviation, Shipping, Medical, Fire and Traffic services, Long-distance bus transport drivers, Elderly citizens, Physically disabled individuals | Proposed |
Towards a More Accessible Voting System
The government recently approved a provision to permit registered NRI voters to appoint proxies for casting their votes. The Election Commission is planning to issue postal ballots in a regulated environment at specific centres on designated days, all under the watchful eyes of election officials. This would curtail any possibilities of untoward influence or interference in the postal ballot voting process.
For the elderly and physically-challenged voters, there is a proposal to have postal ballot papers delivered to their homes and collected immediately, ensuring a controlled, safe and secure voting environment. It’s critical for a robust democracy to investigate all possible means to grant franchise exercise to every eligible voter.
Source: IE
