Voters are the true superstars

The High Court’s direction that voters should not be made to wait in long queues for hours at polling booths highlights the principle that in a democracy, the people are the true rulers. The court also made an important observation- if voters are discouraged from casting their votes due to long queues, it would mark the death of democracy. In his order, Justice PV Kunhikrishnan stated that seating arrangements should be provided for people waiting in queues. Since polling booths are usually set up in offices or schools, the chairs and benches there can be used for this purpose.

The court further suggested that the Election Commission should develop a mobile or web app that allows voters to know the crowd status at their polling booths before leaving home. The app should show the number of people waiting and the approximate waiting time. While the court did not ask for an increase in the number of booths, as it might disrupt election preparations, it also did not accept the Election Commission’s argument that not all registered voters would turn up to vote. The court directed that arrangements should be made assuming full voter turnout.

According to the Election Commission’s current rule, there is one booth for every 1,200 voters in panchayats and one for every 1,500 voters in municipalities. Voting time is from 7 am to 6 pm, giving voters 11 hours to cast their votes. However, the court noted that for local body elections, where each voter has to cast three votes, it is unrealistic to expect them to complete the process in just 30 to 40 seconds, as the Commission seems to assume.

The court stressed that facilities must be arranged so that voters do not face any inconvenience. There is already concern that the interest in voting among the younger generation is declining. This is not just due to political disillusionment- young people want their leaders to be honest and free from corruption. The Election Commission must also ensure that the voting process does not seem like a burdensome task for them. The court reminded that voters are the true superstars in a democracy, and the Election Commission must treat them with respect.

India is the world’s largest democracy, yet in many public places, especially crowded ones, people often feel they are not given the respect or consideration they deserve. It is the duty of those in power to change this perception. Elected governments exist only because citizens exercise their right to vote. Therefore, the election process must be smooth, efficient, and free from complaints. Elections are the festival of democracy, not a battlefield. As Mahatma Gandhi said, there can be winners only if there are also losers- that is the beauty of democracy. Justice PV Kunhikrishnan referred to this Gandhian ideal while issuing this significant order and emphasised that the Election Commission must implement these directions in the upcoming local body elections.