JNM journalist Hardeep Jamwal, Jammu
The upcoming Panchayat elections in Jammu and Kashmir appear to be posing not only a political but also an economic challenge. The ballot boxes used to elect village governments are now weighing heavily on the Election Commission’s budget. The significant increase in the price of ballot boxes over the past few years has added to the electoral preparations.
According to reports, approximately 40,000 ballot boxes will be required in the state to conduct the Panchayat elections in a peaceful and orderly manner. However, the rising prices of these boxes have placed an additional burden of crores of rupees on the Election Commission. Between 2018 and 2020, the price of a ballot box ranged from approximately ₹1,000 to ₹1,200, while now the same box has reached approximately ₹1,500 per unit. This means that prices have increased by approximately 30 to 50 percent in the last eight years.
According to sources, the Election Commission may require approximately ₹6 crore (approximately $60 million) to complete this entire process and ensure 100% voter turnout. This is why the Commission is now exploring options to reduce costs. It is reported that instead of purchasing new ballot boxes, it is also seriously considering renting them.
Discussions are ongoing with the governments of Haryana and Himachal Pradesh in this regard. It is expected that the Haryana government may provide 40,000 ballot boxes to Jammu and Kashmir. If this happens, the Election Commission could be relieved of the significant expense of purchasing new boxes.
Experts believe that Panchayat elections are considered the root of democracy, but the ever-increasing cost of electoral arrangements could pose a significant challenge for the administration in the future. The rising prices of basic materials like ballot boxes also indicate that conducting elections has become more expensive than before.
A single vote of the public is considered very valuable for electing the village government, but this time even the ballot box that keeps that vote safe is proving costly for the administration.
