Theos-Talk Archives (June 2008 Message tt00089)

The process is the same in the US as in India.

mkr

On 6/10/08, Anand <AnandGholap@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> --- In theos-talk@yahoogroups.com <theos-talk%40yahoogroups.com>, mkr777@...
> wrote:
> >
> > I had an exchange of messages with a TS member. This shows how a
> member is
> > thinking.
> >
> > *********
> >
> > Member:
> >
> > Do the other sections around the world intercept the international
> ballots
> > in the way that Wheaton does? Just curious if the election are
> handled the
> > same around the world
> >
> > MKR:
> >
> > I think each section handles its own ballots and the results are sent to
> > Adyar.
> >
> > Member:
> >
> > So there is a filtration process
> >
> > MKR:
> >
> > I think it is a matter of practical logistics. If all the votes were
> to be
> > sent to Adyar, in the old days, it would have been impractical. I do not
> > have any question about the integrity of the process. It is simply a
> > question of transparency of the process and immediate announcement
> of the
> > voting results at the National level as soon as the votes are counted.
> >
> > Member:
> >
> > I've always thought that the process was suspect. The names of every
> > "secret" ballot is plainly listed on the outside of the enclosed
> ballot, so
> > that when ballots arrive at the collection site they can be immediately
> > identified. The current office holders at national HQ collect and
> secure the
> > ballots until counted, even when these office holders are running for an
> > office or have nominated one or more of the candidates.
> >
> > MKR:
> >
> > I agree. I think it would be a good idea to have a third party such as a
> > national accounting firm to handle the ballots, like what they do
> with Oscar
> > nominations. That way, a disinterested third party is responsible
> and we all
> > can have confidence in the process.
> >
>
> This process of voting does not seem to be safe and proper. I also
> feel that officers had their own allegiance, and some of them are
> quite "faithful" in action in supporting their preferred candidate "by
> all means".
> In India when elections for the government are held, balloting process
> is different. It is not possible to detect who voted for whom.
> Citizen is given one slip for voting, the reception of which he
> acknowledges by signing before his name. He takes that blank voting
> slip to a corner, where nobody can see his voting preference. Then he
> has to put stamp on the symbol of the preferred candidate and he drops
> the slip into the ballot box. His name is not written on the voting
> sleep.
> All ballot boxes are carried to a central location. There slips are
> counted before many independent observers. These votes are generally
> in millions. So they do counting in different parts of the country.
> In case of the TS, where perhaps not more than 20,000 people vote, it
> should be easily possible to carry ballot boxes to Adyar and open them
> before the observers from different sections.
> I am increasingly feeling that whole constitution of the TS needs to
> be revised and many improvements should be done.
> Anand Gholap
>
> 
>


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