CHATURANGA PRADEEP SAMARAWICKRAMA Reply To:
Name - Reply Comment
Digital voting system should be introduced for future polls: Digital Citizen Assn.
A digital voting system should be introduced in the country as soon as possible, as it would benefit the country in numerous ways, including a significant cost reduction when conducting polls, the Sri Lanka Digital Citizen Association (SLDCA) said.
The convenor of the association, Amanda Ranasinghe, emphasized that it would bring down the cost of conducting elections and minimize the number of election staff required.
He emphasized that digitizing the voting system should be viewed as an investment rather than a cost.
A digital voting system has to be introduced without thinking of political advantages or disadvantages, if democracy and the people’s supremacy are respected, he said.
"It is said that the local government elections would be postponed owing to the inability to print and hand over the ballot papers for the postal vote on the scheduled date. The printing bill could amount to millions. Why cannot we move to a digital voting system? It will help save a large sum of money spent on transportation, staff payments, and security," he said.
"The government envisions making this country prosperous by 2048. Digitizing the public service is imperative to achieve that goal. What steps the government had taken in that direction?" he questioned.
India introduced a mobile-based e-voting system in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic, aiming it at senior citizens, people with physical disabilities, and those working in remote areas. "It was a pilot project, and it was successful. At the same time, using an electronic voting system would prevent crowding at polling stations since 1989. If India can do it, why cannot Sri Lanka, which has a population of only 22 million, do it?" he asked. (Chaturanga Pradeep Samarawickrama)
Comments - 6
Recommended
You May Also Like
Trending
