Mail News Service
Jamshedpur, Jan 9: While complimenting the Election Commission of India for its announcement of poll process pertaining to the ensuing Assembly election in five States, the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) today demanded introduction and implementation of e-voting system through which the electors can exercise their voting right by casting vote through e-voting system by avoiding any contact with ongoing corona pandemic.
CAIT fears that despite the Election Commission taking all remedial measures to curb spreading of corona yet the physical lines that may happen at the time of poll day may prove to be fatal for the electors and on the other hand will enable the people to exercise their right from their own place without going anywhere. The fear of the corona may prevent a large number of people from staying at home because of fear of corona looming over their head.
CAIT National Secretary General Praveen Khandelwal and National Secretary Suresh Sonthalia of the CAIT in a communication sent today to Sushil Chandra, Chief Election Commissioner of India said that realizing the need of the hour during current critical phase of Covid , the Commission has introduced optimum use of technology by announcing usage of Mobile Apps and extending liberty to Candidates to file their nomination papers through an online system. These steps will go a long way in conducting free, fair & transparent elections in India and the trading community across the Country has hailed the announcement of the Commission. The CAIT also urged the Election Commission to continue the ban on holding political rallies and other programs for the entire period of election process till the counting of votes.
Khandelwal and Sonthalia suggested the Commission initiate an “e-voting” system through which the electors can cast their votes with any device with access to the internet from anywhere in the world. The secrecy of the ballot can be maintained under the high security standards by using online voting software. The casting of votes remains anonymous as the technology system’s architecture can strictly separate personal data from the electronic ballot. The e-voting system, if implemented, will prove to be a useful and powerful instrument in curbing Covid inflation which may occur due to physical lines which may happen at the time of polling of votes. E-Democracy supports and enhances democratic processes and institutions through this technology. It offers citizens the opportunity to participate in the political process as a vital part of the development of e-governance-said the trade leaders.
CAIT further said that Covid pandemic is rapidly increasing day by day and holding elections during this toughest time, it will be an uphill task for the Commission to take some out of box steps to ensure free, fair and transparent election process.
At a time when online payments are rapidly increasing, usage of e-commerce is deeply penetrating, wider usage of smart phones, greater penetration of internet system, has become the order of the day, the e-voting system will leverage the electors from the captivation of political parties, shall reduce the huge volume of combined expenses of election commission and political parties to a minimal extent for conducting elections. On the other hand, more and more people will participate in the election process substantially increasing the polling percentage which is the ultimate mandate of democracy. This step will enrich the democratic system of the Country to a greater extent.
