Driven by ‘Digital India‘, the democratic landscape in India is set for a technology reboot following the Union Cabinet’s go-ahead to ‘One Nation, One Election’ last week. Under the new One Nation, One Election regime, both the Lok Sabha (the lower house of India’s Parliament) elections and state assembly elections will be conducted simultaneously.
At present, both the elections to the Lok Sabha and state assemblies are held according to their tenure, which generally have different election cycles. Due to this, there are elections due in different regions throughout the year. The move will not just synchronise the election cycle but will also plug disruptions caused by elections, which are due across different states every half-yearly.
The key election reforms are part of the larger government move to bring in transparency and stability by widening the use of new-age technology as it gets set to carve out a new structure for a thriving democratic process in the country. The implementation of ‘One Nation, One Election’ will also be a test for advanced technologies, in the absence of which it may not be possible to streamline the election process, ensure transparency, enhance security, and handle the logistics for conducting simultaneous polls in the country.
Technology in elections:
Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter-Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPATs):
- EVMs: EVMs are already used in Indian elections, but for simultaneous elections, the capacity of EVMs would be required to increase manifold. Also, to make the process more transparent, each EVM machine might be programmed to allow voters to cast ballots for both Lok Sabha and state assembly elections at the same time.
- VVPATs: These are Voter-Verified Paper Audit Trail devices attached to EVMs and allow voters to verify that their vote has been recorded correctly, increasing accountability. While the use of VVPATs is at present limited, under the new proposed reforms, VVPAT machines may become mandatory for each polling.
Future ballot for voting: The new-age technology implementation will be necessary to combine multiple ballots (Lok Sabha and state assembly) on a single EVM to simplify the voting process for citizens.
Digital Voter ID Cards:
The initiative rolled out in January 2021 by the Election Commission of India. New-age digital voter ID cards or e-voter cards were launched to eliminate the need for a voter to get a new card made each time if there is a change in address or other details. The digital version of the voter’s photo identity card is also available to download in an un-editable PDF form.
De-duplication software:
Electoral rolls are cleaned by using de-duplication software across the constituencies to eliminate electoral malpractices. This ensures prohibition of forged voting on the day of the poll.
Linking of electoral rolls with the Aadhaar database would further buttress the integrity of the roll and thus purity of the election process.
National Informatics Centre (NIC) software on polling personnel:
The database of the polling personnel is thoroughly checked using the software to ensure concealment of the identity of the polling station where any polling staff would be posted.
Tech for logistical monitoring:
For the movement of security forces, EVMs and other personnel, a centralised monitoring system through a portal with GPS facility is used for vehicle management.
- Sugam portal: All the permission processes like rallies, meetings etc., are made transparent via the Sugam portal.
- Samadhan portal: This portal is used to monitor the complaints received from different quarters. The action taken on every complaint is recorded and is visible to all the stakeholders—right from the complainant to the officials sitting in the Election Commission in Delhi.
- Cvigil app: Used by citizens for posting their complaints directly to the EC. It also enables the uploading of photographs and videos as evidence.
Digital Monitoring and E-Reporting:
- Live Monitoring Tools: The use of drones, CCTV cameras, and geo-tagging technology for live monitoring of polling stations would ensure transparent and tamper-free elections. Election observers could use these technologies to monitor proceedings in real-time and take swift action if any irregularities are reported.
- Live webcasting: The EC has asked all Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) to make arrangements for live webcasting of polling in as many polling stations as possible.
- Video conferencing: The Election Commission has used video conferencing to monitor the entire election process.
- E-Reporting Platforms: Election workers are equipped with mobile devices and apps that allow for real-time reporting of issues, results, and updates from polling stations directly to the Election Commission’s central system.
The use of new-age technology, including blockchain, AI, IoT, and biometrics, may be the way ahead following the implementation of One Nation, One Election. Riding on the back of technology will make the process more efficient, secure, and transparent. With simultaneous elections, Lok Sabha and state assemblies presenting a new challenge of enormity, technology can only tie-up to the new emerging needs and enhance the logistical feasibility of holding simultaneous elections. Meanwhile, the adoption of these technologies would require key legal safeguards and public trust-building measures along with key technology investments.
What lies ahead for Digital India:
Using Blockchain for secure voting in future:
- Blockchain-based voting systems: Blockchain can be used to create a secure and tamper-proof voting system. By using decentralised and encrypted digital ledgers, blockchain technology could ensure that votes are recorded transparently and cannot be altered or hacked.
- Audit Trails: Blockchain also allows the creation of immutable audit trails. This would improve trust in the electoral process by making it possible to verify votes and track any irregularities without compromising voter privacy.
Biometric authentication:
- Aadhaar-Linked Voter Identification: Already in use, the biometric data (such as fingerprints and iris scans) from Aadhaar may be further integrated into voter identification systems. This may help in checking duplicate voting, impersonation, and other fraudulent activities.
- Mobile Biometric Devices: These devices in polling stations may help in instant verification of voter identity and streamline the voting process while improving security.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Election Management:
- Predictive Analytics: AI can be used to optimise the logistics of conducting simultaneous elections. Using predictive analytics, authorities could predict voter turnout, identify high-risk areas for security, and streamline the distribution of EVMs, security personnel, and other resources.
- Voter Behaviour Analysis: AI algorithms can analyse historical voting patterns to ensure more effective voter mobilisation efforts and understand regional preferences without compromising the secrecy of individual votes.
Internet of Things (IoT) for Election Logistics:
- IoT Devices for real-time monitoring: IoT-enabled devices may help in tracking the location and security status of voting machines, election materials, and personnel in real-time. This is likely to improve the transparency of the election process and help address logistical challenges in remote and difficult-to-reach areas.
- Smart Voting Booths: IoT-based smart booths can be introduced to provide real-time updates to election commissions regarding the number of voters, booth conditions, and other factors.
Online voting:
As India’s democratic process gets set for a technology transformation, there comes the need for secure and reliable online voting platforms that may particularly help remote voters, including the armed forces, non-resident Indians (NRIs), and individuals who are not able to reach the polling stations.
Mobile voting and apps:
- Mobile Voting Apps: With mobile phones becoming an almost universally accessible device for the majority of the population, a secure mobile app for voting could be developed, allowing people to cast their votes via smartphones. The app would integrate with voter identification systems like Aadhaar or other biometric verification methods.
- Voter Education Apps: Technology could also play a role in improving voter awareness by using mobile apps that provide information on candidates, political parties, and policies, allowing citizens to make informed decisions.
Big Data and Election Analytics:
- Data-Driven Decision Making: Big data could be used by election authorities to analyse historical election data, demographic information, and political trends. This would help in better planning of voting schedules, allocation of resources, and identifying critical polling areas that need extra security or attention.
- Real-Time Data Monitoring: During elections, big data systems could provide real-time insights into voter turnout, issues in certain areas, and other election dynamics, allowing election officials to respond proactively.
Cybersecurity Measures:
- Election Data Security: Cybersecurity is set to play a vital role as elections under the ‘One Nation, One Election’ initiative will be far-reaching and would need robust technology that can prevent any interference or data breaches. Governments and the Election Commission could deploy advanced cybersecurity protocols to safeguard election-related databases, including voter information, EVM results, and blockchain systems.
- Multi-Factor Authentication: Election systems could be fortified with multi-factor authentication techniques to ensure that only authorised personnel have access to sensitive election data and networks.
