ELECTIONS AND ROLE OF MIS

Geetanjali Sharma(15)Shwetanshu Gupta (49)

INFORMATION SYSTEM

• An information system(IS) is typically considered to be a set of interrelated elements or components that collect(input), manipulate(processes), and disseminate (output) data and information and provide a feedback mechanism to meet an objective.

ELECTIONS• India is a constitutional democracy with a parliamentary

system of government, and at the heart of the system is a commitment to hold regular, free and fair elections.

• These elections determine the composition of the government, the membership of the two houses of parliament, the state and union territory legislative assemblies, and the Presidency and vice-presidency.

• The Election Commission employed almost 4 million people to run the election.

• A vast number of civilian police and security forces are deployed to ensure that the elections are carried out peacefully.

ELECTIONS AND MIS

Maintenance of voter’s list

MAINTAINING RECORDS OF CANDIDATES FIGHTING FOR ELECTIONS

NON-SERIOUS CANDIDATES IN POLITICAL PARTIES

In recent years there has been a steady increase in the number of candidates in elections.

They contest elections light heartedly and lose their deposits. (frivolous party or a joke party).

Such a party may not have a serious point behind its activities. These parties often promote unusual, even absurd policies.

The voters are also handicapped in identifying the candidates of their own choice. This affects the sanctity of elections.

MISUSE OF GOVERNMENT MACHINERY

It is generally complained that the government in power at the time of election misuse official machinery to further the election prospects of its party candidates.

The misuse of official machinery takes different forms, such as issue of advertisements at the cost of government and public exchequer highlighting their achievements, disbursements out of the discretionary funds at the disposal of the ministers, use of government vehicles for canvassing etc.

This leads to misuse of public funds for furthering the prospects of candidates of a particular party.

FASTER ANNOUNCEMENT OF RESULTS

LIMITATIONS

A fundamental decision for electoral administrators is whether to seek a ready-made e-voting solution or to pursue the development of a customized system.

A ready-made system that is adopted, by definition, will require changes in the electoral process to incorporate the system.

In contrast, a customized system will more readily fit into the electoral process. However, customized system development is a more lengthy process and poses extra challenges in managing the development process, as opposed to the simpler evaluation process.

1. System development

2. Total Cost of Operation

Cost of installation of information system demands huge investment.

System installed should be capable of adapting to technological changes.

3. Security A central discussion within the electronic voting

debate is the issue of security and its vulnerability .

Those who have direct access to information system can easily tamper results for their personal benefits.

4.Transparency and Electoral Observation

One impact of adopting electronic voting solutions is the lack of transparency associated with the polling exercise for electoral observers. Without invasive techniques, the process can become opaque for electoral observer groups, which may cause criticisms of the process.