Page 72 - Leap of Faith Vol - 2

Leap of Faith Journey of Indian Elections

Voter dropping ballot paper into preferred ballot box
During the first two general elec ons, votes were (Conduct of Elec ons and Elec on Pe on) Rules, 1956.
captured in an unusual manner. The ballot boxes, each The method became standard for the ensuing 45 years
dedicated to an individual candidate, iden fied by his/her un l the universalisa on of the Electronic Vo ng
name and elec on symbol, were neatly arranged in rows Machines (EVMs).
in every polling booth. An individual voter had to pick the
ballot paper and drop into the ballot box of the candidate
of his/her choice. Since there was no provision for
marking on the ballot paper, it le no trail behind where
one's vote had gone. However, since major poli cal
par es were comfortable with this method, they resisted
any change. It was only in the bye polls that followed the
Second General Elec on that the Elec on Commission
could introduce the standard system of stamping on a
ballot paper against names and symbols of candidates. It
entailed amendment in the Representa on of the People

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