Indelible history of impersonation in Indian democracy

Chennai

A massive effort has gone into issuing of photo voter identity cards. However, in the past elections, a list of documents was accepted for admitting a voter into the booth and it was not a fool-proof system. Decades ago, the non-existence of proper rolls and identification procedure was misused by unscrupulous candidates to adopt devious ways of impersonation with impunity.

People were herded to polling booths during lean hours, asked to mention the names of those who had not voted till that moment (and even dead and gone) and they were made to impersonate gleefully as there was no videography or CCTV coverage. Many used to reach the booth with party supplied coupons (sometimes the counterfoil with the symbol was carried by the innocent voters).

The so-called ink mark on the finger was all that was needed to identify a person who had cast the vote. It was not really indelible in the 60s and 70s because people invented ingenious ways to erase the mark soon after being applied on the fore finger.  

Impersonation was attempted when a second phase of poll was held after a few days close by or even at a distant place. People were transported by trucks and lorries for impersonation. Some people who did not know how to cast their vote were at times escorted by party agents right up to the voting table and made to vote in their favour. As cameras or video coverage did not exist, ballot papers were stuffed into the boxes when the turnout was poor or it was summer.

Another malpractice was to bring people with gender neuter names to cast a vote in the place of genuine voters. People were tutored and brought to the booth or advised  to keep silent. In some booths, there was a collusion with officials which others could not resist or complain about.

Some votes of persons dead and gone or not residing any more in the constituency were also successfully polled by intelligent polling agents by getting hold of gullible people. When the original voters turned up there would be heated arguments in the booth, but finally they would be sent away. The presence of thugs or rowdy elements also kept some voters away from the booths and the uncast votes of course reached the pockets of the winner.

People were steeped in ignorance and this was exploited by crooks. That is the dark side of our democracy always unforgettable.