Did you Know this about Indian Democracy & Voting System? (Part-1)

The ballot paper comprising names of all contesting candidates was first introduced in 1961. Before this, in the two preceding general elections i.e., 1952 & 1957, each contesting candidate used to have a dedicated ballot box and ballot papers. Voters used to be given a ballot paper (blank / uniform). The voters would then drop this ballot paper into the dedicated box of their preferred candidate. After the polling completes, at the time of counting, each of these ballot boxes are opened under close supervision by all bureaucratic & political stakeholders to count which candidate received the highest number of ballot papers who is then declared as winner.

Indian Election Ballot Voting Method [Before 1961 (Left side) v/s From 1961 (Right side)] This is just a representational image. In the actual setting, opaque metal-cast ballot boxes were used.

Voting method before 1961

• Ballot box system: Before 1961, a system was in place where each candidate had their own separate ballot box.

• Identification: Voters would go to the polling booth, be identified by election officers, and receive a ballot paper. This system was designed to protect the secrecy of the vote.

• Casting a vote: The voter would then deposit their ballot paper into the designated, sealed ballot box of their chosen candidate.

• Counting: Votes were counted after the polling officially ended, with the ballot boxes opened under close supervision to ensure fairness. 

Changes introduced by the 1961 amendment

• Omission of the old system: The Representation of the People (Amendment) Act, 1961, formally omitted the previous method of voting.

• Introduction of ballot papers: The new system required voters to mark their choice on a single ballot paper, which was then folded and put into a common ballot box. This eliminated the need for separate ballot boxes for each candidate.

• Simpler counting: This new method streamlined the counting process and made it easier for voters to exercise their franchise. 

Further modernizations

• Electronic voting machines (EVMs): In 1989, the Representation of the People Act, 1951, was amended to permit the use of EVMs.

• Initial trials and adoption: After initial trials in 1982 and further parliamentary action, EVMs were used on an experimental basis in 1998 and deployed nationwide for the General Election in 2004.

• Voter-verified paper audit trail (VVPAT): In recent years, VVPATs have been introduced to further enhance transparency and voter confidence.