Voter ID card
In the BBC phone-in programme a few days ago, one gentleman raised a very pertinent question regarding the technical quality and distribution system of the ID card. If his observation is valid and extensive, one should be concerned about the future of this project which has received appreciation at home and abroad. I was very cynical about the success of this project right from the day one, because I apprehended the problems narrated by a gentleman in the phone-in programme.
The other reason why I am concerned is timely completion of the project to have a creditable and acceptable voter list for the general election this year. Moreover, I am not sure how much vote rigging would be stopped by the voter ID card. My guess is that false voting cannot so much influence the result of an election compared to other rigging methods and devices involved which I need not explain much here. The election monitoring agencies, reputed to be neutral and enjoying public confidence, can give a better and correct picture. Because of all these reasons I was very sceptical about the electronic voter ID card, and wished that a manually completed traditional voter list could be a more positive option to follow to have the promised general election in 2008. I wish the authorities would kindly look into the observations made by a voter in the BBC programme and opt for a practical solution, instead of a fault finding exercise. One can assume that the blame will ultimately be put on the newly adopted technology.
Since we are discussing the general election issue, one can refer to the ongoing news about the draft ordinance for the independent secretariat and independence of the Election Commission. We do not know the full text of it. But from the discussion in the media one can get the impression that neither the EC, nor the concerned section of our society, is satisfied with the reported draft approved by the council of advisers. The question of deputation of the chief executive officer from the cadre service, and the unclear issue of the Commission's authority to decide and act have to be resolved.
I hope the authorities will see reason and redraft the final ordinance. Currently, the EC seems to be more "de-organised" (not disorganised) rather than reorganised.
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