In a major reform push, the Election Commission of India (ECI) tested new voter-friendly and transparency-focused initiatives during the bye-polls held on June 19, 2025. Bye-elections in five constituencies across Gujarat, Kerala, Punjab, and West Bengal became the trial ground for measures that may soon become standard in Indian elections.
Key Changes Introduced:
- Mobile Deposit Facility: Voters could deposit their phones in secure pigeonhole boxes or jute bags outside polling booths, addressing issues especially faced by women, elderly, and differently-abled voters.
- Upgraded Voter Turnout (VTR) Process: Presiding Officers used the ECINET App to submit voter turnout data every two hours, including immediately after polling ended. This replaces older methods that relied on phone calls or manual data collection.
- 100% Webcasting of Polling Stations: Every polling booth (except one) had real-time video monitoring, helping authorities maintain order and transparency.
Why This Matters
In many parts of India, especially during elections in volatile regions like parts of West Bengal, polling booths have faced mob dominance. Voters were often coerced, with some only signing their name while mobs cast the vote. Even with ECI deploying, Central forces deployed, the large number of booths left many areas with limited coverage, leaving several booths exposed.
Live webcasting can change that. With cameras watching all polling stations, any illegal activity can be instantly flagged, creating a strong deterrent. Combined with digital turnout reporting, this builds a cleaner, safer election ecosystem.
If these measures are rolled out nationwide in the 2025 State Assembly elections and the next Lok Sabha elections, they could revolutionize polling in India by making it more secure, transparent, and citizen-friendly.