question_answer

Here are some reports of electoral malpractices from different parts of the world. Is there anything that these countries can learn from India to improve their elections? What would you suggest in each case

(a) During an election in Nigeria, the officer in-charge of counting votes deliberately increased llie votes of one candidate and declared him elected. The court later found out that more than five lakh votes cast for one candidate were counted in favour of another.

(b) Just before elections in Fiji, a pamphlet was distributed warning voters that a vote for former Prime Minister, Mahendra Chaudhry will lead to bloodshed. This was a threat to voters of Indian origin.

(c) In the US, each state has its own method of voting, its own procedure of counting and its own authority for conducting elections. Authorities in the state of Florida look many controversial decisions that favoured Mr. Bush in the presidential elections in 2000. But no one could change those decisions.

Answer:

       

(a) Returning officers should be impartial. Re-poll should have been ordered.

(b) This is an electoral malpractice. Protection should be given to his supporters. Elections should be postponed if violence is feared or it seems that elections cannot be conducted fairly.

(c) A uniform system of counting should be introduced.