[Letter to Mr Minoo Masani]

Summary

In this letter dated 2 April 1965, C. Rajagopalachari writes to Minoo Masani about the design of polling arrangements. He responds to Election Commissioner Sundaran’s preference for more numerous fixed booths—ideally one in every village—rather than mobile polling stations that would bring voting facilities directly to voters.

Rajagopalachari argues that multiplying fixed polling stations would at least treble, and possibly quadruple, the number of stations. He is particularly concerned that the resulting increase in candidates’ expenditure on party agents would be prohibitive. Without adequate agents present at each station and working outside it, he warns, village polling stations could give the ruling party greater opportunity to act legally or illegally. He continues to favour mobile booths, comparing their voter-oriented approach to the collection of census information.

Key points

• The letter discusses fixed versus mobile polling stations.
• Rajagopalachari favours mobile booths that reach voters rather than requiring voters to travel to booths.
• He estimates that the alternative of multiplying fixed stations would treble or quadruple their number.
• He argues that the increased number of stations would substantially raise candidates’ expenditure on party agents.
• He warns that inadequate monitoring by party agents could enable the ruling party to misuse village polling stations.
• He compares mobile polling with the collection of census information.