By- J. Venkatesan : One of the most critical ways that individuals can influence governmental decision-making in a democratic country like ours is through voting. Voting is a formal expression of preference for a candidate to represent a Assembly or Lok Sabha constituency.
Universal suffrage is today considered a sine qua non of democratic rule. But do all voters come and vote is the question. The average polling percentage varies from State to State but the average is around 60 per cent. Though right to vote in an election is a statutory and not a fundamental right how far people exercise this right. Abstention constitutes a failure to participate in voting. Non-voting cannot be easily dismissed as a sign of complacency or apathy. There is a growing concern among the general public that about the conduct of our politicians. But non-voting cannot be an answer to this problem.
Due to the intervention of the Supreme Court of India it has been made mandatory for candidates contesting elections to submit affidavits along with their nomination papers giving information about criminal cases pending against them, if any; financial assets of the candidate, his/her spouse and dependents; financial liabilities and educational qualifications of the candidate. The affidavit has to be displayed prominently outside the polling stations. These things have become possible only because of the awareness of the people. How far this message reaches the voters is the moot point
This is where the awareness campaign will succeed. A successful campaign will definitely encourage more voters to participate in the election process. The campaign should be to target young voters in the age group of 18 and above and try to motivate them to exercise their franchise so that they have a say in their future. Voter awareness campaign can be done using posters, slides in movie halls and SMS to get the “Please Vote’’ message across. Mock election process can be conducted by providing computers and touch screens kiosks asking voters to vote.
There are then the ‘apathetic electors”, for despite the fact that they use the civic amenities they do not undertake the responsibility of casting their votes. Some of them can be generally classified as ‘neutral electors’. They obtain photo-identity cards for all other purposes, like obtaining passport and driving licence, but do not vote. The campaign should also target such electors, requesting them to cast their votes during such mock exercise so that they are reminded of exercising.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights of the United Nations General Assembly in 1948 recognizes the integral role that transparent and open elections play in ensuring the fundamental right to participatory government. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights in Article 21 states that everyone has the right to take part in the government of his/her country, directly or through freely chosen representatives. The role that periodic, free elections play in ensuring respect for political rights also is enshrined in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
The object of any awareness campaign is to persuade minorities, the homeless, disabled persons, and many others who lack access to the vote for a variety of reasons including poverty, illiteracy, intimidation, or unfair election processes.
The Election Commission of India has shown to the rest of the world how elections can be conducted independently free from interference from any quarter. The Commission is appointing general, expenditure and micro level observers to monitor the candidates and the conduct of elections at every stage.
It is common knowledge that there is ostentatious use of money and muscle power by political parties in elections to further the prospects of candidates set up by them. Display of huge cut-outs etc of political leaders on road-sides, crossings, street corners, and setting up of arches, hoardings at prominent places are some of the ways in which money power is displayed by the parties. In many cases large scale advertisements are also given in newspapers by political parties.
The Commission has taken a series of measures to curb both money and muscle power. On the eve of the polls, the States are directed to nab habitual criminals and offenders and to execute pending non-bailable warrants against other criminals. It has made identification of voters mandatory to vote in the election.
Though the coverage of Electoral Photo Identity Cards has been substantial, yet it could not achieve 100 per cent, except in few constituencies. At present photo electoral rolls are also used in many constituencies to ensure accuracy and fairness in elections and to prevent bogus voting. Other form of identities like ration card, driving licence, passport etc can also be used. Further people must know that voting is through electronic voting machine and hence it is hassle free. But this message must reach the people. Further those who do not have EPIC card will readily come and vote. The awareness campaign must touch this aspect as well.
Another issue that is widely being talked about is the efficacy of making voting compulsory in elections. Among the long-standing democracies that make voting compulsory in elections are Australia, Belgium, and Luxembourg. But will this work in India. The answer is certainly not. Given the socio-economic, religious and multi-cultural society like ours it cannot be implemented.
Although there may be high levels of turnout if voting is made compulsory there is a possibility that there may be more invalid votes. As an alternative an additional electoral choice option that carries a political message (a vote for none-of-the-above, as it were) can be given to the voters so that if they don’t like any of the candidates, they can exercise this option. An additional button is required to be incorporated in the electronic voting machine to implement this option. It is certainly much easier to implement this suggestion than mere abstention because it requires a positive act. The Election Commission has already taken up this issue with the Union Government but there is no break through because most of the mainstream political parties are not willing to accept this.
If Indian democracy has survived all these years despite many pin pricks it is because of the voter awareness. Therefore any campaign must be to strengthen the voter confidence and to make him realise the importance of every vote in an election.