Secret Ballot System in India

🔹 Meaning:

• Secret Ballot = Voting method where a voter’s choice is kept confidential.

• Ensures free and fair elections by protecting voters from pressure, threats, or undue influence.

• Also known as the Australian Ballot System (first used in Australia in 1856).

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🔹 Provisions in India

1. Article 324 – Election Commission of India (ECI) is responsible for conducting free & fair elections, including through secret ballot.

2. Representation of the People Act, 1951 – Provides legal framework for secret voting.

3. Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961 – Rule 39 specifies voting to be done through ballot paper/EVM in secrecy.

4. EVM & VVPAT – Used to ensure secrecy and transparency.

5. Exception: Open voting by show of hands or voice vote in elections of:

   • Rajya Sabha

   • Legislative Councils
     (to prevent cross-voting and party defection).

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🔹 Importance of Secret Ballot

• Protects voter from coercion or bribery.

• Promotes genuine choice.

• Ensures democracy and fairness.

• Prevents victimization based on vote.

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🔹 Limitations

• Booth capturing and money power can still affect elections.

• In parliamentary elections (like Rajya Sabha), voting is not secret to check corruption.

• Proxy voting (NRIs, service voters) can dilute secrecy.

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📌 Previous Year Questions (PYQ)

1. UPSC 2017 (Prelims):
   In which of the following elections in India is the voting NOT held by secret ballot?

   • (a) Lok Sabha

   • (b) Rajya Sabha

   • (c) State Legislative Assembly

   • (d) Panchayat elections
     ✅ Answer: (b)

2. SSC CGL 2019:
   Which system of voting ensures that a voter’s choice remains confidential?

   • (a) Proxy Voting

   • (b) Secret Ballot

   • (c) Open Ballot

   • (d) Preferential Voting
     ✅ Answer: (b)

3. RRB NTPC 2021:
   Secret Ballot was first introduced in:

   • (a) UK

   • (b) USA

   • (c) Australia

   • (d) France
     ✅ Answer: (c)

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📌 MCQs for Practice

1. Which Article empowers the Election Commission to ensure free and fair elections including secret ballot?

   • (a) 322

   • (b) 323

   • (c) 324

   • (d) 325
     ✅ Answer: (c)

2. In India, voting for Rajya Sabha is:

   • (a) Always secret ballot

   • (b) Open ballot system

   • (c) Postal ballot only

   • (d) None of these
     ✅ Answer: (b)

3. The secret ballot system is also called:

   • (a) Westminster Ballot

   • (b) Australian Ballot

   • (c) Preferential Ballot

   • (d) Cumulative Ballot
     ✅ Answer: (b)

4. Which law in India provides for voting by secret ballot?

   • (a) Representation of the People Act, 1950

   • (b) Representation of the People Act, 1951

   • (c) Election Symbols Order, 1968

   • (d) Anti-Defection Law, 1985
     ✅ Answer: (b)

5. Why is the secret ballot important?

   • (a) To increase voter turnout

   • (b) To protect voter from influence/pressure

   • (c) To speed up counting

   • (d) To allow postal ballots
     ✅ Answer: (b)