Topic: Salient features of the Representation of People’s Act.
2. The Election Commission of India’s (ECI) new instrument to allow digitally-mediated voting may prove to be a revolution in electoral reforms. Do you agree? Analyse. (250 words)
Reference: Financial Express
Why this question:
The Election Commission of India (ECI) is collaborating with the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras (IIT-M), to work on technology that would allow voters to exercise their democratic right through a digital device.
Key demand of the question:
The answer must discuss in detail the significance of such a revolutionary step to be taken in the electoral reforms of the country. Also explain the challenges involved and suggest through a way ahead.
Directive:
Analyze – When asked to analyse, you have to examine methodically the structure or nature of the topic by separating it into component parts and present them as a whole in a summary.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Briefly explain the context of the question.
Body:
- One can start the analysis by highlighting the need for such a reform in terms of technology, explain with facts such as In 2019, around 300 Mn voters didn’t cast their vote, close to about one-third of the total number of registered voters in the country, which is roughly around 900 Mn.
- Discuss why we need the technology and what are its benefits? – Digital voting will help overcome the problems of distance for NRI voters and hesitations over proxy on part of the Indian legislature. It could even allow migrant workers within the country to cast their votes in polls in their native constituencies.
- Discuss what is the new technology like (Take cues from the article and detail upon).
- Discuss challenges or concerns involved.
Conclusion:
Conclude by suggesting way forward.
