Editorials & Articles : 11 May 2024
Process of Declaring Voters Turnouts
Why in News?
- The Election Commission of India (ECI) categorically denied claims by the president of a major political party that the delay in the release of final voter turnouts was an attempt to tamper with the final results of the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.
What’s in Today’s Article?
- What is the Process of Declaring Voters Turnouts?
- What are the Allegations by the Congress President?
- What is the Response of ECI to these Allegations?
- What is Form 17C?
What is the Process of Declaring Voters Turnouts?
- Voter turnout is a module of ENCOREÂ (Enabling Communications on Real-time Environment) that runs on the poll day.
- It involves the data entry of a two hourly estimated poll percentage entry through ENCORE.
- ENCORE is an umbrella application of the ECI that provides the facility to process and monitor the work related to conduct of elections through a single portal.
- The ENCORE Portal can be accessed by all officers at ECI, State, District and Constituency level.
- All these entries need to be filled without fail in a designated time slot (i.e., 9 AM, 11AM, 1 PM, 3 PM, 5 PM and 7 PM) by the Returning Officer (RO)/ Assistant Returning Officers(AROs) in the ENCORE Portal.
- This voter turnout data can be monitored by the citizens and media houses via Voter Turnout app which is available in android and iOS both.
- These percentages get aggregated in the system to find the district and state wise poll percentage.
- After the end of the Poll, System allows entry of detailed turnout reports – Constituency wise and Polling Station wise, which include male, female, and third gender numbers against the total number of electors.
- This mechanism simplifies the data entry of two-hourly voter turnout and helps in the timely dissemination of the information on a real-time basis.
- To ensure timely entries for each Constituency, a facility is provided at the CEO level to monitor and identify the assembly that has missed the data entry.
What are the Allegations by the President of a major political party?
- When the final voting figures for the 1st and 2nd phases were announced on April 30, he questioned why the turnout for these phases increased by 5.5 and 5.74 percentage points respectively since the close of polling.
- In an official release issued (at 7.55 pm) on April 19, the ECI said turnout in the constituencies where votes were cast in the first phase was over 60% at 7pm.
- The release said the final figure was likely to be higher.
- On April 26, when votes were cast in the second phase, the ECI press release (issued at 9 pm)Â put the turnout at 60.96% at 7 pm.
- On April 30, the ECI released the final figures for both phases, which put the phase 1 turnout at 66.14% and the phase 2 turnout at 66.71%.
What is the Response of ECI to these Allegations?
- The initial number is a preliminary estimate, and the higher final figure is simply due to the fact that the ROs sent in the updated data late.
- According to the ECI officials, even the data released on April 30 is not final and that figure will be known only after postal ballots are counted on the day of counting (June 4).
- Final data for each Polling Station (PS) is shared in Form 17C with all Polling Agents.
- Form 17C includes the total numbers of electors and voters at the seat.
- This information is not available on the Voter Turnout app.
- In its response to allegations, the ECI also provided details of the release of official turnout data for the 2019 Lok Sabha election and state Assembly elections.
- It showed a 1-3 percentage point increase in the turnouts in the 5-7 days it took to release the phase-wise turnouts in 2019.
- ECI officials say it takes time to verify and collate the data, particularly from remote polling stations.
- This process takes P+1 (polling day plus 1) or P+2 (polling day plus 2) days depending on constituencies and arrival schedule of polling parties due to geographical and weather conditions.
- This data may further get updated for any constituency where repoll is being conducted (which is normally on P+4 days).
What is Form 17C?
- According to the Conduct of Elections Rules 1961, there are two forms that have data on the number of electors and voters – Forms 17A and 17C.
- The Form 17A is a register of voters, in which polling officials record the details of every voter who comes into the booth and signs the register.
- The Form 17C is the account of the votes recorded and is issued to the polling agents of candidates at the close of polling.
- The number of electors and those who cast their votes as recorded in Form 17C can be matched with the EVM count.
- Part-II of the form (certified by the counting supervisor and is countersigned by all candidates or their representatives)carries the results of the counting, which are entered on counting day.
- The data in Form 17C are considered final, and it
- Is used by candidates to verify the results on counting day.
- Lie at the heart of any Election Petition that may be filed challenging the result.
- For full transparency, activists have demanded to make the Form 17C data public.
- This is because many candidates find it impossible to collate all the figures for the constituency as a whole.
- However, the ECI has said that it is not legally bound to publish any voter turnout data at aggregate level.
Interim bail granted to Delhi CM
Why in news?
- The Supreme Court (SC) granted interim bail to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. The Delhi CM was arrested on March 21 by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), due to his alleged connection to the Delhi excise policy case.
What’s in today’s article?
- Bail (about, types in India)
- Background of the present case
- Analysis of the judgement
Bail
- About
- Bail refers to the provisional release of the accused in a criminal case in which the court is yet to announce the judgment.
- The term ‘bail’ means the security that is deposited in order to secure the release of the accused.
- Types of Bail in India:
- The Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) does not define the word bail. Depending upon the stage of the criminal matter, there are commonly three types of bail in India:
- Regular Bail:
- Generally granted to a person who has been arrested or is in police custody.
- This bail application can be filed under section 437 and 439 of CrPC.
- Interim Bail:
- This type of bail is granted for a short period of time and it is granted before the hearing for the grant of regular bail or anticipatory bail.
- Anticipatory Bail:
- Anticipatory bail is granted under section 438 of CrPC either by session court or High Court.
- An application for the grant of anticipatory bail can be filed by the person who discerns that he may be arrested by the police for a non- bailable offence.
Background of the present case
- Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22 and associated controversy
- Also known as the new liquor policy, the Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22 was implemented in November, 2021.
- It changed how liquor was sold in the city — with the government withdrawing from the business and allowing only private operators to run liquor shops.
- Later, various enquiries alleged that kickbacks were received by the Delhi government and its leaders from owners and operators of alcohol businesses for preferential treatment.
- These kickbacks were used to influence the Assembly elections held in Punjab and Goa in early 2022.
- ED summons and subsequent arrest
- The Delhi Chief Minister skipped 9 summons, issued by the ED in connection to the excise policy case.
- The ED claimed that the CM was the kingpin and key conspirator on the Delhi excise scam. Later, on March 21, he was arrested by the ED.
- The Delhi Chief Minister skipped 9 summons, issued by the ED in connection to the excise policy case.
- Supreme Court hearing and interim bail
- After the Delhi High Court rejected the petition challenging the arrest of Delhi CM, he approached to the SC.
- The SC Bench on May 10 decided to grant Kejriwal interim bail until June 1, the day that voting for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections will close.
- Bail conditions
- The Court has, however, placed certain conditions for Delhi CM’s interim bail.
- he shall not visit the Office of the Chief Minister and the Delhi Secretariat;
- he shall not sign official files unless it is required and necessary for obtaining clearance/approval of the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi;
- he will not make any comment with regard to his role in the present case;
- he will not interact with any of the witnesses and/or have access to any official files connected with the case.
- The Court has, however, placed certain conditions for Delhi CM’s interim bail.
Analysis
- A level playing field in elections
- The Supreme Court allowed Delhi Chief Minister to get temporary bail so he can campaign for elections.
- This decision is unusual and aims to make sure everyone has a fair chance in elections.
- Opens the door for more such interventions
- It might potentially open the door for other political detainees.
- Former Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, who was arrested on January 31 in a money laundering case, has a bail application pending in the High Court.
- The state will vote in the last four phases of the Lok Sabha elections starting May 13.
- New precedent
- The Supreme Court’s order sets a new precedent for dealing with political needs during elections.
- Before this, the Supreme Court usually only confirmed bail given by High Courts during trials, not temporary bail needed for special situations.
- Right to campaign debate
- Many analysts criticize the judgement by saying that the right to campaign for an election is neither a fundamental nor a constitutional right, and not even a legal right.
- They rely on the Delhi High Court’s 2017 decision in Election Commission vs Mukthar Ansari to support this position.
Guidelines for confirming heatstroke and heat-related deaths
Why in news?
- The Union Health Ministry has issued standardised guidelines for confirming heatstroke and heat-related deaths in the country.
What’s in today’s article?
- Heatstroke
- Key highlights of the guidelines
Heatstroke
- About
- A heat stroke or sunstroke is a medical emergency that results of overheating of the body as a result of exposure to high temperatures and humidity, or due to prolonged physical exertion at high temperatures.
- Persons suffering from heat exhaustion experience fatigue, dizziness, headache, nausea, vomiting, hypotension (low blood pressure) and tachycardia (increased heart rate).
- Criteria for heatstroke
- Body temperatures of 40°C i.e. 104°F or more along with delirium, seizures or coma. This is a potential fatal condition.
- Heatstroke deaths in India
- As per the analysis of the National Crime Records Bureau data, more than 11,000 people died due to heat stroke in India between 2012 and 2021.
- Steps taken by the govt.
- A National Action Plan on Heat-Related Illness was released by the Health Ministry in July 2021.
- It outlines the health challenges posed by heat waves and how to deal with them.
- The India Cooling Action Plan (ICAP) aims to reduce the impact of heat by providing sustainable cooling and thermal comfort for all by 2037-38.
- A National Action Plan on Heat-Related Illness was released by the Health Ministry in July 2021.
- Steps to be taken if someone is suffering from the heat
- Move the person to a cool place under the shade
- Give water or a rehydrating drink (if the person is still conscious)
- Fan the person
- Consult a doctor if symptoms get worse/ are long lasting/ person is unconscious
- Do not give alcohol, caffeine or aerated drink
- Cool the person by putting a cool wet cloth on his/her face/body
- Loosen clothes for better ventilation
Key highlights of the guidelines
- Need for the guidelines
- In 2013–22, compared with 1991–2000, the estimated average annual heat-related mortality increased by 85%.
- It is driven by both warming and changing demographics, globally.
- If global mean temperature continues to increase toward 2°C of pre-industrial levels, annual heat-related deaths are projected to increase by 370% by mid-century, assuming no substantial progress on adaptation.
- In this context, we must strengthen our understanding and surveillance of heat-health.
- In 2013–22, compared with 1991–2000, the estimated average annual heat-related mortality increased by 85%.
- Prepared by
- National Programme on Climate Change and Human Health (NPCCHH) and National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).
- Aim
- Helping hospitals become aware of the criteria to label a death as heat-related/ heat stroke and bring in evidence-based medical decision-making processes.
- Decision to conduct an autopsy
- Decision to conduct an autopsy should be based on the circumstances of the death, the age of the deceased, and the available resources.
- The collection of blood, urine, etc., for toxicological examination is highly desirable if the condition of the body allows it.
- Highlights the challenges in diagnosis of heat-related deaths
- The post-mortem diagnosis of heat-related deaths poses many challenges. These includes:
- pre-terminal or terminal body temperatures are frequently unavailable,
- autopsy findings are non-specific and depend upon the duration of survival after exposure,
- diagnosis of hyperthermia is mostly dependent on the scene investigation,
- Hyperthermia is a condition where the body’s temperature is abnormally high due to the body’s inability to regulate heat from the environment.
- the circumstances of death, and the reasonable exclusion of alternative causes of death.
- Also, the autopsy is not mandatory in heat-related deaths.
- The post-mortem diagnosis of heat-related deaths poses many challenges. These includes:
Entry of Private Players in the Indian Space Sector
Why in News?
- The commercial arm of the department of space (DoS) – New Space India Limited (NSIL), has called on private players to manufacture its largest launch vehicle LVM3.
- This is the same launch vehicle that carried Chandrayaan-2 and Chandrayaan-3 to the moon, and it will also be utilised for the Gaganyaan (human spaceflight) mission.
What’s in Today’s Article?
- Opening up Indian Space Sector for Private Sector
- Indian Regulatory Framework for Private Space Companies
- NSIL Calling Private Players to Manufacture LVM3
Opening up Indian Space Sector for Private Sector:
- The DOS desires to encourage the participation of private companies in space activities.
- This is to enhance the diffusion of space technology and boost space economy (from current $8 billion/ 2% of global space economy to $100 billion by 2040) within the country,
- As a result, start-ups began to take root in India in the early 2010s with the first space start-up, Dhruva Space Private Limited, being established in 2012 in Hyderabad.
- Soon after, several other space start-ups cropped up in India: Bellatrix Aerospace (2015), Manastu Space (2017), Skyroot Aerospace (2018), etc.
- As of date, over 200 space start-ups are registered in the country, attracting investments worth ₹1000 crore in 2023 itself.
- Most of these companies are involved in designing and manufacturing satellites, launch vehicles, etc., and offer launch services using ISRO’s PSLV/GSLV or private launch vehicles.
Indian Regulatory Framework for Private Space Companies:
- New Space India Limited (NSIL):
- It is a Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) of the Government of India under DoS and is responsible for producing, assembling and integrating the launch vehicle with the help of industry consortium.
- It was established in 2019 under the Company Act 2013, with the main objective to scale up private sector participation in Indian space programmes.
- In 2022, the agency called for complete manufacturing of its workhorse Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV).
- A consortium of HAL and L&TÂ has been selected to manufacture five PSLV, with the first flight of the privately manufactured vehicle likely this year.
- Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center (IN-SPACe):
- As part of the 4th ‘Aatma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan’ stimulus, the Union Finance Minister announced the creation of IN-SPACe in 2020.
- IN-SPACe was set up as a single-window, independent, nodal agency to authorise, promote and supervise space activities of private non-governmental entities (NGEs).
- Since its establishment, IN-SPACe has signed 45 MoUs with NGEs to support them in space activities.
- National Geospatial Policy:
- In 2021, Centre issued guidelines for private companies to acquire all geospatial data and maps from government agencies without licences.
- Building on these guidelines, the Centre also unveiled the National Geospatial Policy in 2022. The policy promotes private sector participation in collection of geospatial data.
- Indian Space Policy:
- Strengthening the private space sector in India by finally providing a legislative framework, the Centre rolled out the Indian Space Policy in 2023.
- The policy has paved the way for ISRO to transition from manufacturing operational space systems to a focus on research and development in advanced technologies.
- Amended FDI policy:Â In 2024, Centre amended its FDI policy, allowing –
- Up to 74% FDI for satellite manufacturing and operation,
- Up to 49% FDI for launch vehicles, spaceports and associated systems and
- 100% FDI to manufacture components and systems/subsystems for satellites, ground and user segments.
NSIL Calling Private Players to Manufacture LVM3:
- About Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM3):
- The LVM3 (previously GSLV Mk III) is the new heavy lift launch vehicle of ISRO for achieving a 4000 kg spacecraft launching capability to GTO (Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit) in a cost-effective manner.
- LVM3 is a three-stage launch vehicle consisting of two solid propellant S200 strap-ons and core stages comprising of L110 liquid stage and C25 cryogenic stage.
- The commercial capability of the LVM3:
- It was first demonstrated when it was used to deploy multiple satellites in low earth orbit (LEO).
- Two batches of 36 satellites each were launched using the vehicle in 2022 and 2023 commercially for internet provider OneWeb.
- Not only did the vehicle deploy multiple satellites for the first time, it did so in different orbits during the missions.
- Why NSIL Looking Towards Private Players?
- NSIL recognises that there is a growing demand for launching heavier communications satellites as well as other satellites to LEO.
- This is in line with the government’s vision to increase participation of private players, making them capable of manufacturing complete launch vehicles instead of remaining mere producers of parts.
- How will NSIL Handover Projects to Private Players?
- NSIL will conduct a two-stage bidding process – shortlist multiple technically qualified manufacturers and then select one company based on their financial competitiveness.