How mobile technology can help our election
Elections cost a lot of money. It is estimated that the last election cost the country one trillion rupees. It is a lot of money that could be utilized for uplifting so many people. A simpler, safer and more effective method may be adopted in the future. These days almost everyone carries a mobile phone. For those who cannot easily afford one, the Government should subsidize SIM cards and make access to mobile internet universal. Then many of the Government functions and its interactions with people can be carried out digitally and into the hands of the people it serves.
Using Aadhar as a unique identifier and location accuracy of the phone, people can vote directly from their mobile phones. There will be little need for elaborate arrangements for voting booths, complicated logistics for safekeeping of voting machines and the cost of running elections will come down considerably. We do banking online and transactions are safe and secure and are under full control of the individual owning the bank account. Why can’t something similar be adopted for our elections? Results will be available sooner and there will be little scope for mass tampering.
Mobile technology can also be adopted by our court system to give regular case updates to the plaintiffs and defendants. Courts with a big backlog of cases should work on a 24-hour basis to clear pending cases. Along with this, people should not be allowed to file frivolous cases. Big fines should be levied on those attempting to waste the court’s time. To hasten this process, more people will be needed. It will be a way of offering employment to more people. Besides, if the cost of filing cases is increased, people will think before filing unnecessary cases and that extra income can be used to employ more people. In the long run, the country will benefit.
Blessings to all
Swami Ponnurangam
August 1, 2019
Using Aadhar as a unique identifier and location accuracy of the phone, people can vote directly from their mobile phones. There will be little need for elaborate arrangements for voting booths, complicated logistics for safekeeping of voting machines and the cost of running elections will come down considerably. We do banking online and transactions are safe and secure and are under full control of the individual owning the bank account. Why can’t something similar be adopted for our elections? Results will be available sooner and there will be little scope for mass tampering.
Mobile technology can also be adopted by our court system to give regular case updates to the plaintiffs and defendants. Courts with a big backlog of cases should work on a 24-hour basis to clear pending cases. Along with this, people should not be allowed to file frivolous cases. Big fines should be levied on those attempting to waste the court’s time. To hasten this process, more people will be needed. It will be a way of offering employment to more people. Besides, if the cost of filing cases is increased, people will think before filing unnecessary cases and that extra income can be used to employ more people. In the long run, the country will benefit.
Blessings to all
Swami Ponnurangam
August 1, 2019
