India is a vast country with a vast number of trade unions, starting from famous taxi unions to small and big labor unions. In short, every trade in India has a union, and every union needs to take important decisions to run a union. Every major decision needs consultation from its members or e-voting to come up with a decision. These bodies form groups that put their voice into one word and put it in front of the government.

Association is of various types:

Employee association:+ are unions of employees created with the aim of promoting the welfare of employees and protecting the interests of their members in an organization for various cultural and recreational reasons. For example, NRMU (Northern Railway Men’s Union) is one of the biggest employee unions across India.

Trade Associations: Trade associations are the bodies where members from the same trade form a union to protect their rights and interests in trade and to represent the government in one voice to settle debate and disagreement among groups. E-voting is done among trade unions to form one voice and form strong representation. For Example: ASSOCHAM (ASSOCIATED CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY OF INDIA) one of biggest trade unions in India.

Professional Association: Professional associations are a form of body that comes together and creates an association to protect and secure the rights of its members. It also helps members to share knowledge, create regulations and standards, set up guidelines, etc.

Examples of Associations:

• Bar council of India
• Institute of Company Secretaries of India
• Institute of Chartered Accountants of India
• Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
• American Psychological Association
• International Facility Management Association
• International Institute of Business Analysis

Social Associations (NGO, Alumni bodies):Social associations are the form of association created for common goals for the welfare of social objectives like NGO like PETA for Animal Rights, National Association of Professional Social Workers in India (NAPSWI), etc.

RWA or Homebuyer associations: homeowners, flat buyers, and landowners create associations to protect their rights or come to a solution for the benefit of the entire group.

Election frequency:Usually, tenure for any such associations ranges from 1 to 3 years; hence, elections are held every 1 to 3 years. Tenure also depends upon bylaws, article associations, etc.

Challenges of Association elections

Less turnout:

Generally, associations have a bad track record of voting turnout percentages. Many union associations don’t even cross 10 percent of voter turnout. This is due to the following reasons:

1. Low counts of booths; Unions generally do not have enough booths where members can cast their vote and expect members to visit the union office to cast votes.
2. Members are not informed about the date, process and agenda for voting.
3. Members are not involved in association activities and do not take elections seriously.
4. Database is usually not updated or maintained.
5. Not paying a membership fee regularly.

Lack of transparency in the election process.

Most of these associations are self-regulated and non-answerable to its members about the election process. It happens in association due to Cost, Lack of knowledge or experience for election management, Lack of time, Different interests, the elections management is not of high quality.

Most general complaints by members are shady preparations for the voter list, Lack of communication among members, Error on Vote counting, rigged elections processed by some members who themselves are standing in elections.

Solution:How to ensure higher voter turnout and how to create a transparent voting process.

PollBag is a simple, fully auditable solution to all the problems faced during the union's election. Online voting platforms ensure higher voter turnout at very low cost, and they are 100% secure and transparent. Pollbag provides an online voting service that is best suited for union or association elections. For transparency in union or association elections, recording each member’s precious vote through an online secret ballot is the need of the hour. The use of technology will ensure observability, and hence there is an evolution in the election procedure.

Why should you choose PollBag as your association’s online election software?

• Tested, certified and approved for security and quality
• Secured, Auditable and transparent
• Best features, and easy to use
• Cost effective
• Call and email support
• Fully auditable system

Take Away

Pollbag is an online voting platform that gives quick results without manual vote counting. The union electoral members may sometimes challenge the validity of e-voting software. But it is certified with high security for the election procedure without fail. Pollbag takes every measure to protect everyone’s voting rights. Mark your calendar for e-voting of upcoming union elections. Forget the outdated ballot papers and polling booths when organizing association elections.