John Eric Gomes: I found another stamp on my ballot paper besides the number in the counterfoil book on the ballot paper! When I asked what is this round stamp, I was told ward number! So the government can pin point who voted and exactly from where!. Secret ballot means the ballot paper must not have anything that can identify me.
Response: I do not believe that the Secret Ballot is a secret. Otherwise how post the poll, statistics are readily available of how each age group, sex group, community group, caste group, geographical area etc voted? In Gujarat, the muslims were deliberately kept out of all development activities because they never used to vote for the BJP. Once it was drummed into their heads that this would continue unless they voted for the BJP, the BJP vote share of muslims went up. Regards,
