Which feature ensures voting is private to protect voters from outside influence?

• A. Public Voting
• B. Secret Ballot
• C. Open Voting
• D. Online Voting

Answer: (B)

Privacy in voting means protecting a voter's choice from others so they can decide without fear or pressure. The secret ballot is the mechanism that guarantees this privacy. It lets people cast their vote in private and keeps their individual choice anonymous when the votes are counted. This anonymity helps shield voters from external influence like pressure, coercion, or bribery, because no one can tell how a particular person voted. Public or open voting would reveal who voted for what and could lead to intimidation or rewards tied to those choices, while online voting, though it can be private if properly secured, relies on safeguards beyond the basic principle of confidentiality. So, the secret ballot best protects voters from outside influence by ensuring voting remains confidential.