Election Commission Develops Prototype Of Remote Voting Machine, Invites Political Parties For Demo

The device would make it feasible for anyone to vote for their constituency from anywhere in the country.

Election Commission has developed a prototype of remote voting machine for migrant workers

New Delhi: The Election Commission said on Thursday that it has developed a remote electronic voting device (EVM) that would help migrant workers- people who have moved to different cities within India for the purpose of employment- to vote remotely in their home constituency.

The device would make it feasible for anyone to vote for their constituency from anywhere in the country. Additionally, it will also give relief to overseas voters from the inconvenience of returning to their home state to cast their ballots.

The EC has invited political parties for a demonstration of the device on January 16. The demonstration is aimed at getting parties' views on the legal, operational, administrative and technological challenges it might face in implementing the machine, according to a statement.

"Migration based disenfranchisement is indeed not an option in the age of technological advancement. The voter turnout in General Elections 2019 was 67.4 % and the Election Commission of India is concerned about the issue of over 30 Crore electors not exercising their franchise and also differential voter turnout in various States/UTs, " the poll body said in a statement.

With 85% of the internal migration taking place within the states, the Commission has decided to make access easier and ensure a better voter turnout.

The statement further said, "Inability to vote due to internal migration (domestic migrants) is one of the prominent reasons to be addressed to improve voter turnout and ensure participative elections. Although there is no central database available for migration within the country, the analysis of available data in public domain points to work, marriage and education related migration as important components of domestic migration."

The multi-constituency remote EVM, developed by a public sector undertaking, can handle up to 72 constituencies from a single remote polling booth.

"Based on the feedback received from various stakeholders and demonstration of the prototype, the Commission will appropriately carry forward the process of implementing remote voting method," the statement said.