Modernizing Elections: India’s Digital Time Allotment Revolution
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has taken a significant step towards modernizing the electoral process by introducing an online system for allotting time to political parties on All India Radio and Doordarshan during elections. This move reflects the Commission’s commitment to leveraging technology for the benefit of all stakeholders involved in the electoral process.
The existing scheme for the use of government-owned electronic media by political parties was amended to include a provision for issuing digital time vouchers through an Information Technology (IT) platform. This means that political parties will no longer need to send their representatives to ECI/CEO Offices physically to collect time vouchers during elections. This digital facilitation will streamline the process and save time and effort for all parties involved.
The ECI has been proactive in adopting IT-based solutions for interacting with political parties. The recent introduction of a web portal for online filing of financial accounts by political parties with the Election Commission is another example of the Commission’s efforts to embrace technology and enhance transparency in the electoral process.The scheme, which was initially notified on 16th January 1998, is based on Section 39A of the R.P. Act, 1951. It was formulated after extensive consultations with recognized National and State Parties and aims to ensure equitable access to government-owned electronic media during elections for campaigning.
Under this scheme, each National Party and Recognized State Party of the concerned state is allotted equitable base time on DD & AIR. Additionally, the allocation of additional time to parties is decided based on their poll performance in the last assembly elections from the respective States/UT or in the last general elections to Lok Sabha. The actual date and time for telecasts/broadcasts by authorized representatives of any party are predetermined through a lottery conducted by the Prasar Bharati Corporation in consultation with ECI and in the presence of political party representatives.
The introduction of an IT-based platform for processing and distributing time vouchers to entitled political parties is a game-changer in the electoral landscape. This digital approach streamlines the entire process, making it more efficient and accessible for political parties. It also aligns with the government’s broader efforts to promote digital governance and e-governance practices across various sectors.
By embracing technology, the Election Commission is ensuring that the electoral process becomes more inclusive, transparent, and effective. The online allotment of time vouchers will eliminate physical paperwork and manual processes, reducing the scope for errors and delays. Political parties will now have the convenience of accessing their time vouchers online, allowing them to plan and strategize their campaigns more effectively.
Moreover, this digital initiative aligns with the larger goal of promoting digital literacy and accessibility in the country. As technology becomes an integral part of modern governance, it is crucial for all stakeholders, including political parties, to embrace digital solutions and harness their potential to improve governance and citizen engagement.With the introduction of this IT-based platform, the Election Commission is setting a positive precedent for leveraging technology in future electoral reforms.
News Mania Desk/ Agnibeena Ghosh , 19 July 2023
