Even as panchayat elections show a trend of bigger turnout of voters and higher percentage of polling across the State signalling that people at the grassroots have become increasingly conscious of their democratic rights, lack of knowledge on ballot papers and wrong casting of vote by the ignorant rural voters has led to a rising number of invalid votes.
The four phases of elections already held on February 13 and 15, 17 and 19 have brought this grave fact to the fore. Many voters, ignorant of the ballot papers and process of voting, went to cast their votes with great deal of interest, but finally they voted the wrong way. As a result, a bigger chunk of votes cast was considered invalid as either the voters just dropped the ballot papers blank in the ballot box or used thumb impression instead of pressing the seal on the ballot papers. In several cases, the voters pressed the seal on the wrong spaces or on more than one symbol in the ballot paper rendering the votes invalid.
“Maximum number of people in our panchayats had turned out and stood on the queues for casting vote. So, it was quite pleasing. But finally, when the counting was held, it was found that around 10-15 per cent votes were cancelled on count of wrong voting,” said an agent who was present at the counting of votes on February 13 poll held at Kantiokateni village in Dhenkanal district.
“I did not know what a ballot paper is and what to do with it. I just came to the polling booth as other women in our neghbourhood have come here to cast their votes. Besides, the candidates have approached us at our doorstep several times,” said Minati Khamari (42), who came to cast her vote in the PRI election held in a booth at Kusumjodi Panchayat under Kamakhyanagar constituency on February 13.
Sujata Behera (50) of Kunda village under Bhuban block said she dropped her ballot papers straight in the ballot box out of nervousness and as she did not know what to do with them. She confided that she waited for a few minutes shuffling the ballot papers inside the voting compartment confused over how to vote and then dropped them in the box.
Not just the women, but many old persons who came to the booth to cast their votes also did it wrongly leading to cancellation of the votes.
Since rural elections are held for grassroots level posts beginning from Ward member, the candidates campaign door-to- door and request their villagers to cast their votes in their favour. So on the day of election, they transport the women and old persons from every homes, notwithstanding if they are capable enough to wait for long hours under the sun at the booth.
Even instances of old persons who are unable to walk are brought to the polling stations in vehicles. Consequently, these old and infirm people cannot vote properly, leading to the cancellation of their votes.
“Awareness on the entire voting system among the rural voters is the need of the hour. When the candidates are approaching them for votes they should show them a demo as to how to cast votes. Even the officials also should undertake a drive to educate the voters on this front,” said an intellectual here.