Question

WRITE ABOUT FREE AND FAIR ELECTION OF TAMILNADU​

Answer 1

Answer:

Asked about any plan to increase the number of polling stations, he replied in the affirmative. "The maximum number of voters for any polling station will be 1,000. All polling stations which have more than 1,000 voters will be split and, if possible, they will be located in two separate rooms in the same venue or in the nearest place," he said.

He also said postal ballot facilities will  be available to voters  above 80 years of age who have health issues or issues about their mobility and the physically challenged. But, it will be optional. "Some apprehensions are there about this system. So, a proper protocol will be developed. Our polling officials will go to the place of the voters and it will be like a mobile polling station keeping all the protocols and safety norms. If the political parties wanted to send their representatives, they are most welcome to do so. They can accompany the team and stay there during the vote," he added. 

On the political parties opposing the postal votes for the elderly, he said, “I don’t think the parties have opposed it since it is a very progressive step. For all those who have serious health issues or issues of mobility, it is a special provision. The entire process will be transparent while maintaining secrecy of voting, and we will allow the political representatives to witness the process.”

Answer 2

In a constitutional democracy, elections provide an opportunity to ascertain the popular will in regard to the governance of the country. Election is the act of choosing an individual usually for holding public office through free will of the people in a representative democracy.

Recently, elections were cancelled in Vellore district of Tamil Nadu on the charges of corrupt practices and misuse of money and muscle power which is often used to manipulate and sway the popular will. This has not been an isolated incident; many such events have taken place over the years. The growing greed for power has turned a sacrosanct activity into a showcase for power.

The recent debates surrounding the power and efficacy of Election Commission of India (ECI) in testing times has opened up the pandora box of challenges where strengthening ECI has become of paramount importance.