The Election Commission's recent move to designate 69 high-rise residential complexes in Kolkata as potential polling stations has sparked a complex debate among residents. While acknowledging the convenience it would bring, especially for the elderly, a significant number of inhabitants are deeply concerned about the possible violation of vote secrecy and the sanctity of the electoral process.
Convenience Clashes with Confidentiality Concerns
The core of the dilemma lies in balancing ease of voting with electoral privacy. Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) that had initially consented to the proposal in November are now reconsidering their stance. The primary fear is that housing a polling booth within a specific complex could inadvertently reveal the collective political preferences of its residents.
Ashok Baid, an RWA member of Silver Spring Housing Complex, articulated this concern, stating that while a campus booth would be helpful, it risks compromising voter confidentiality. His complex alone has between 700 to 800 voters. Echoing a similar sentiment, Roshni Saha, a resident of a New Town Action Area 1 high-rise, warned that such an arrangement could allow political parties to identify which complexes voted for whom, potentially making residents political targets in the future.
Logistical Hurdles and Fear of Political Overreach
Beyond secrecy, residents have flagged practical and security issues. A member from a housing society along the Southern Bypass highlighted logistical nightmares, questioning who would provide space for polling staff and paramilitary forces and be responsible for subsequent clean-up and repairs.
The fear of political overreach during the heated election period is also palpable. A Kankurgachi resident cautioned that representatives of various political parties might demand unhindered access to the complexes, unnecessarily dragging residents into a political tug-of-war. Jayesh Kumar Jha, president of Sunrise Towers Apartment, summed up the cautious mood, saying residents do not wish to get caught in any crossfire between different government and election authorities.
Election Commission's Stance and Conditional Compliance
Election Commission officials have conceded that they are encountering reluctance from housing societies. An EC official acknowledged the validity of residents' fears, confirming that the number of votes cast for a party in a particular complex could become discernible.
Despite the reservations, there is a clear undertone of compliance if the directive becomes mandatory. Most RWAs have stated they will abide by all EC and government directives. Deb Ranjan Mukherjee, an RWA member of Uttara Complex in New Town, noted they are leaning towards consent for the benefit of elderly residents. Similarly, Tarun Kumar Basu, assistant secretary of the RWA at Urbana, indicated they would follow the mandate after discussing it with residents in an upcoming meeting.
The situation remains in flux as Kolkata's high-rise dwellers weigh the undeniable convenience of on-campus voting against the fundamental democratic principle of a secret ballot, awaiting a final decision from the election authorities.
