SHILLONG: Poor internet connectivity in rural areas of Meghalaya can be a deterrent to the Election Commission’s technology-based initiative to keep a tab on violations of the model code of conduct.
The mobile application, cVigil, was launched recently to involve citizens in detecting misuse of money and muscle power during campaigns for the Lok Sabha elections. But the question remains how far this app will be inclusive and whether it can work successfully.
The Shillong Times spoke to prominent citizens who lauded the initiative and effective use of technology. However, most of them were sceptical about the functioning of the app in areas where connectivity is poor.
Former politician Robert G Lyngdoh said it is good that technology is catching up with the democratic process. He congratulated the chief electoral officer and his team for going all out with innovative ways to get people, especially new voters, to participate in the election.
“At least an effort is being made. You can see the buzz among the youth. I hope it works but we will know about that after the elections,” he said.
At the same time, he said the app depends on connectivity and if that improves, the app will work.
Lyngdoh was a legislator in the early 2000s when no such app was utilised. But the politician said he “hardly spent money during elections” as people who supported him participated by donating for the expenses of the next meeting.
Controlling money power is a challenge for the Election Department now.
“It looks today that the social aspect of elections is getting lost and it is becoming more and more of a commercial endeavour. This is sad. There are investments and the recovery of those investments takes priority,” said Lyngdoh.
Social activist PBM Basaiawmoit too pointed out the problem of connectivity in rural areas. “It is a model move as a start and I am all for it but how to implement it, how do you connect in the rural areas. Why don’t they use the community base and why only e-technology,” he said.
He recalled the time when he was the headman of Mawpat and had asked women to form vigilante groups to keep a watch on the use of money and muscle power during elections.
Another social activist Naba Bhattacharjee said though the initiative is good to inspire and motivate voters to vote but he too was sceptical about digital reach in the state.
“There should be more concentration in rural areas because the main votes lie in those areas. App is good but urban voters are already motivated and sensitised,” he said.
According to him, the Election Commission has a major role in making people conscious of their rights in a democracy and how to vote judiciously.
Asked, whether the app would change the future of electoral politics, Bhattacharjee said it would at least reduce urban apathy.
“In urban areas, people take voting day as holiday despite being conscious. Parliament should think of de-franchising those people for not voting if they do not vote in three elections. Motivation is alright but there should be some deterrent laws also so that people can come out and vote,” he added.
Veteran politician and former Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council HS Shylla said the initiative is good but added that it should have been used during the Assembly and Council elections.
NOTA option
Lyngdoh, when asked about NOTA and whether it would change electoral politics, expressed hope even as he pointed out the drawback of the option.
“At one point of time, people started using NOTA (None of the Above) as a form of dislike. But NOTA is not something where you register your protest. NOTA is just that you don’t have a choice. It does not really solve anything. Let’s see how it works,” he said.
