While concerns like these can be just as
applicable for so many other countries around the world, it is particularly
profound for the world's largest democracy. A great number of India's citizens
are indeed living and working abroad, but they still deserve the right to have
their voice heard in terms of India's political affairs. The political
happenings in India still have a direct impact on their daily lives for a
myriad of different reasons.
For the southwestern state of Kerala,
discussions are ongoing as to how e-voting can be enabled in a fair, just and
secure manner for non-resident Keralites (NRKs). This could apply not only to
the people of Kerala who are living and working in other countries around the
world, but also those who are simply living and working in another area in
India.
The local government in Kerala has
begun working with Technology Based Incubators (TBI) to design and
configure an online voting system that is fool-proof and secure. One of the
largest challenges that they face is how they can reliably verify the identity
of Keralites who have settled overseas. This is a common concern for online
voting and the IT experts are saying that the creation of a verifiable database
is the major first step. This database could include biometric data like iris
scans. The goal is to avoid “possible voting irregularities” as much as
possible.
The IT firm has also recommended that the
government of Kerala can work closely with Indian embassies, non-governmental
organizations or international airports in order to facilitate the remote
e-voting for non-resident Keralites.
As with any other political issue, e-voting
for non-resident Keralites has
its opposition too. The State Election Commission has indicated that
introducing an e-ballot or any other form of e-voting within the limited
timeframe ahead of the upcoming local elections “was not feasible.” Instead,
NRKs would be provided with the ability to vote through their respective local
body constituencies. Officials have stated that converting the candidate
listing to a digital format in the next two months “was not practical.”
However, even if the introduction of
e-voting is “not feasible” for the next elections, steps should be taken so
that it is feasible for the elections to follow. Systems can be developed,
tested and audited well ahead of the elections following this next one. It is
oftentimes not feasible or viable for NRKs to vote in person, as currently must
be the case for this upcoming election.
