The Political Institutions and Theories of the Hindus: A Study in Comparative Politics c9.s3.15

c9.s3.15

In order to ascertain the opinions of the members in regard to the topics discussed the ecclesiastical organizations made use of coloured *salâkâs* (or pins) of wood. These were the voting tickets. A *salâkâ-gâhaka* ("taker" or collector of pins) or teller was appointed by the association to explain the significance of the colours to the voters and then take the votes. In the *Chulla-vagga*² we find Sâkya describing the ballot and other kinds of voting. "I enjoin upon you, *bhikkhus*", says he, "three ways of taking votes, ** the secret method, the whispering method, and the open method." The secret method of taking votes is then described. "The *bhikkhu* who is the teller of the votes is to take the voting tickets of different colors and as each *bhikkhu* comes up to him he is to say to him thus, 'This is the ticket for the man of such an opinion, this the ticket for the man of such an opinion. Take which ever you like'. When he has chosen (he is to add), 'Do not show it to anybody." The *Chulla-vagga* enumerates also ten cases of "invalid" voting.³