The Scope of Approval Voting in India

Context: 

This article is expressing that in an extremely diverse society such as India, the proliferation of multiple political parties is a reflection of the need for representation and the current First Past the Post (FPTP) system method seems inconsistent while in the form of approval voting, we have a better alternative to choose.

Approval Voting:

• A well-researched voting methodology that is used in elections where voters can select any number of candidates or parties from a given list of options. 
• The winner is determined by the candidate or party that receives the highest number of approvals from the voters.

Prevalence: 

• Approval voting has been extensively studied and is implemented in various elections with multiple credible choices, including in the United Nations, internal party primaries in the US, and occasionally in the election of the Pope.

How does Approval Voting differ from the FPTP System?

• Voting for Candidates: In the FPTP system, voters must choose only one option, and the winner is the option with the most votes, even if it lacks a majority, while in approval voting, multiple options are available for voting.
• Ranking Preference: Approval Voting for higher turnout votes also differs from the FPTP ranked-choice voting for the winning of the largest number of votes only.

“MOTA” a Way to Implement Approval Voting in India:

• In the Indian context, approval voting can be implemented by preferring MOTA (i.e., Many Of The Above), the mirror image of NOTA that we have already experienced.

Significance of MOTA: 

• Reduce Fragmentation: MOTA is a more elegant way to reduce voter fragmentation rather than complex and unstable electoral alliances. 
• Multiple Options: It would allow voters to choose as many candidates or parties as they want from a list of options, instead of forcing them to choose only one.
• Simple Process: It is simple and easy for the average Indian voter to just tick all parties that she/he wants to vote for.
• No Major Changes in Existing System: Most importantly, it would not require any major changes in the existing electoral system or machinery, as it would only involve adding a new option on the ballot paper and counting the number of approvals for each option.
• Good Change: It can fundamentally change the dynamics of complicated political alliances, seat sharing, luring of parties post elections and institutionalization of the politics of money and fear.
• Solve Floor Crossing Issue: It can be an appropriate solution to end “aya Ram gaya Ram” issues in Indian politics.

Significance of Approval Voting:

• Simple Process: As the process is simple, it is easy to implement on an earlier basis.
• There may be no need for such elaborate initiatives to forcibly form electoral alliances among political parties.
• Increase in Voter Turnout: Voter turnout and votes count would increase as voters would have multiple choices to express their preferences.
• Increase in Representation: The representation of voters would increase (because of simple process) and simultaneously, it could enhance accountability.
• Better Stability: By reducing the dependence on coalitions and alliances, this system would have more stability and governance.

Challenges of Approval Voting:

• • Unfamiliar System: The system is simple but unfamiliar, which would result in less adoption or by late adoption.
  • Awareness of the huge Population would be a tough task: As India is on the verge of being the most populous country and to make aware and educate everyone about the system would not be an easy task.

• Resistance from Established Parties: The established political parties who benefit from the existing FPTP system or have a stronghold in certain regions would provide their resistance.
• Issue of Prevalence Fragmented Results: While the system aims to reduce fragmentation, there are still chances of having fragmented results, particularly if a significant number of candidates receive high votes.
• Need of Amendment: Implementation of the new system of voting may require constitutional or legal amendments, which could be tough to pass through.

Way Forward:

• Awareness: There is a need to promote awareness and education by conducting public awareness programmes and campaigns to educate voters about the new system.
• Discussions: Deliberations and discussions should be held to encourage political parties and peoples for the adoption of the new system of voting.
• Ground Collaboration: Collaboration at all levels is must for the adoption and enactment of the new system.
• Better Change: Replacing the FPTP method with MOTA can fundamentally alter Indian politics and society for the better by reducing opportunistic political alliances in favor of ideological politics.

News Source: The Indian Express

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