In an innovative move to boost participation, the Baroda Bar Association (BBA) is set to deploy a first-of-its-kind technological solution for its elections on December 19, 2025. The association will broadcast real-time voting data, allowing contesting advocates to actively remind their supporters to cast their ballots.
A Digital Nudge for Higher Voter Turnout
The core of this initiative is a personalized software program developed specifically for the BBA. This system will enable the live streaming of voter information through a public link shared on the association's social media handles. Joint Election Commissioner Advocate Hitesh Gupta explained that the digitization of member records paved the way for this experiment.
"We have 4515 eligible voters out of a total of 4900," Gupta stated. He emphasized that this marks the first time an election will have real-time data of voters who have cast their votes available publicly. "This is an example of maximum utilization of the digitalization of records," he added.
How the Real-Time System Works
The mechanism is designed for instant updates. As soon as a ballot paper is issued at the polling booth, the voter's name will appear on the live link. This immediate visibility is intended to serve as a prompt for candidates and their teams.
They can use this data to "nudge and remind" eligible supporters who have not yet voted. The software was developed by another Joint Election Commissioner, Advocate Hitesh Patel, using available applications and Google Forms to integrate voter photographs into the digital list.
Aiming for a Record-Breaking Participation
The primary goal behind this technological intervention is to achieve a historic voter turnout. Historically, BBA elections have struggled to see participation exceed 70%.
"We hope that this year, we will have a record in terms of the voter turnout and this system will benefit candidates and supporters," Gupta expressed. The association believes that transparency and real-time reminders can play a crucial role in motivating its members to exercise their franchise, potentially setting a new benchmark for bar association elections across the region.
