Transforming NGO Elections: The Evolutionary Impact of eVoting
Overview
Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) are entities that are set up for non-profit, philanthropic or charitable purposes and are not owned by the government. NGOs are generally managed by a group of people who are elected by the members or contributors of the organisation. Voting is an essential part of the democratic functioning of NGOs, as it allows the members to choose their representatives and voice their opinions on various resolutions.
NGO voting is important for several reasons
It ensures that the NGO is led by competent, qualified, and committed people who share the same values and goals as the NGO.
It enhances the credibility, legitimacy and reputation of the NGO, as it shows that the NGO is transparent, accountable and participatory in its decision making.
It empowers the members, beneficiaries and supporters of the NGO, as it gives them a voice and a choice in selecting their leaders.
It fosters a sense of ownership, belonging and responsibility among the stakeholders of the NGO, as they feel more involved and invested in the NGO’s work.
It promotes diversity, inclusion and representation within the NGO, as it encourages different perspectives, backgrounds and experiences to be part of the leadership.
Challenges faced by NGOs in conducting elections
Low voter turnout: Many members may not be able to participate in the voting due to geographical, logistical or personal constraints. This reduces the legitimacy and representation of the elected body.
High operational costs: Setting up physical voting booths, hiring manpower, printing ballot papers, transporting and storing EVM machines, ensuring security and transparency, and counting the votes manually are some of the expenses involved in conducting elections.
Lack of security and accuracy: The physical voting process may be vulnerable to tampering, manipulation, fraud, human errors or technical glitches. This may compromise the integrity and reliability of the election results.
Lack of convenience and accessibility: The members may have to travel long distances, wait in queues or face other hassles to cast their votes. This may discourage them from exercising their voting rights and affect their satisfaction.
The Positive Impact of e-Voting for NGOs
NGOs can adopt eVoting, which is a voting technology that enables the members to cast their votes electronically, from their computer, phone or tablet. eVoting offers many benefits for NGOs such as:
Increased voter turnout: eVoting allows the members to vote from anywhere and at any time, within the voting period. This enhances the participation and engagement of the members and ensures a higher representation of their views and preferences.
Reduced operational costs: eVoting eliminates the need for physical infrastructure, manpower and logistics involved in conducting elections. This saves a lot of money and resources for the NGOs and allows them to focus on their core activities and objectives.
Enhanced security and accuracy: eVoting uses encryption, authentication, audit trail, voter receipt and other features to ensure the security and accuracy of the voting process and the results. eVoting also enables faster and error-free counting and reporting of the votes.
Improved convenience and accessibility: eVoting provides a user-friendly and hassle-free voting experience for the members. They can vote with a few clicks or taps, without having to travel, wait or face any difficulties. eVoting also allows the members to access information and updates about the elections and the candidates.
Reasons for NGOs to Choose Right2Vote
Right2Vote is certified and approved by the Government of India and has been used by leading NGOs, associations, clubs, societies, and cooperatives across the country. Right2Vote offers a customizable and feature-rich eVoting platform that can cater to the specific needs and requirements of different types of NGOs. Right2Vote also provides support and guidance for the NGOs to conduct their elections smoothly and successfully. Right2Vote can bring a positive impact on the NGO sector by empowering the members to exercise their voting rights and enabling the NGOs to conduct their elections in a secure, cost-effective, and convenient manner
Key Features of Right2Vote for Enhancement of NGO Elections
Secret Ballot: Ensures the confidentiality of votes, allowing members to express their choices without fear, promoting a truly democratic and unbiased election process within NGOs.
Audit Trail: Provides a transparent record of the entire voting process, allowing for scrutiny and verification, enhancing trust among members and ensuring the integrity of the election.
Voter Receipt: Empowers voters with a tangible confirmation of their participation, fostering accountability and confidence in the election process within the NGO community.
Voter Selfie: Introduces an additional layer of authentication by capturing a voter selfie, adding a personal touch to the process and reinforcing the identity verification of participants.
Geo Tagging: Enhances the security of the election by verifying the geographical location of voters, ensuring that votes are cast by eligible members and reducing the risk of fraudulent participation.
End-to-End Encryption: Safeguards the entire voting process from start to finish, ensuring that sensitive information remains confidential, thereby protecting the integrity of the election within the context of NGO associations.
OTP-Based Authentication: Strengthens the security of the voting process by requiring a one-time password (OTP), preventing unauthorized access and ensuring that only legitimate members exercise their voting rights.
Two-Factor Authentication: Adds an extra layer of security by combining two distinct verification methods, making it more challenging for any unauthorized access, thus fortifying the authenticity of the votes in NGO elections.
Right2Vote’s Existing Clientele:
- Bangalore International School Trust
- National College of Chest Physicians (India)
- Vasai Virar CPE Study Circle of WIRC
- Goa Institute Of Management
- The Institution of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineers
- Alumni Association of Indore School of Social Work
- IRMA Alumni Association
- Medical Faculty Association AIIMS Jodhpur
- EDI Alumni Association
- GMERS Faculty Association, Gujarat
- Institute Of Actuaries Of India
- IIT Delhi Alumni Association
- The Old Sanawarian Society
- IIM Indore
Conclusion
The democratic processes within NGO associations are fundamental to their success. The integration of e-voting stands as a transformative step towards overcoming challenges, fostering increased participation, transparency, and efficiency. It is an urgent call for NGOs to explore and implement e-voting for more effective and inclusive governance.
