Topic : Salient features of the Representation of People’s Act.
5) What do you understand a Service Voter? how can he cast vote? Discuss significance and challenges associated.(250 words)
Why this question:
Recently the soldiers of Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) were the first to cast their vote for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections in Arunachal Pradesh as Service Voters. Thus it is important from the point of examination for us to learn who is a service voter and what are its significance.
Key demand of the question:
The question is upfront on the concept of service voter and its importance.
Directive word:
Discuss – This is an all-encompassing directive – you have to debate on paper by going through the details of the issues concerned by examining each one of them. You have to give reasons for both for and against arguments.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
In a few introductory lines state the background of the context of question.
Body:
In brief discuss –
- Who is a service voter? – Service voter is a voter having service qualification. According to the provisions of sub – section (8) of Section 20 of Representation of People Act, 1950, service qualification means:
- Being a member of the armed Forces of the Union ; or
- Being a member of a force to which provisions of the Army Act, 1950 (46 of 1950), have been made applicable whether with or without modification ;
- Being a member of an Armed Police Force of a State, and serving outside that state; or
- Being a person who is employed under the Government of India, in a post outside India.
- How is a service voter different from an ordinary elector?
- Are members of all Armed Forces / Para Military Forces eligible to be enrolled as service voters?
- The process of registering as a service voter – who is eligible?
- Challenges if any
- Way forward.
Conclusion:
Conclude with significance of such tools in a democracy.
