ECI unveils road map for revamp-THE HINDU-08-03-2020

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The Election Commission of India had set up working groups in June 2019, to come up with recommendations for revamping of the electoral process which could add value to the process.
The nine working groups, comprising Election Commission of India officials and State Chief Electoral Officers, had presented their draft recommendations recently. The Election Commission of India has published 25 of the main recommendations and has invited comments or suggestions from the public.

Among the recommendations being considered is replacing all the forms for various voter services, including registration of new voter and change of address, with one single form. Another recommendation was to start online registration facilities at the school or college-level for all prospective voters at 17 years of age so they can be enrolled in the electoral roll as soon as they become eligible at 18. The ECI also recommended four cut-off dates in a year to enroll as a voter. Currently, January 1 is the qualifying date so those who turn 18 after that date are not eligible to vote the whole year.

Though not specifying the method, one of the recommendations was to look at the “possibility and feasibility of different voting methods”. It has been seen that approximately 30% of electors are not able to participate in elections for various reasons... , some of them, as assessed in a report on facilities of domestic migrants may polling to the category of migrants who continue to remain voters at their previous locations. Commission is exploring the possibility and feasibility of different voting methods which remains secure and safe to ease and improve the electoral participation.

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Another recommendation was to impose a “silence period of 48 hours” before polling on social media and print media. Campaigning on electronic media in the last 48 hours before polling is prohibited currently.