Roadmap for Answer Writing
- Introduction
- Briefly introduce the context of the controversy surrounding Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in India.
- State the importance of the Election Commission of India (ECI) in ensuring the integrity of elections.
- Challenges Faced by the Election Commission
- Technical Challenges:
- Security: Discuss the need for EVMs to be tamper-proof and resistant to hacking.
- Malfunctioning: Mention instances of EVM malfunctions during elections and their impact on public trust.
- Transparency and Auditability:
- VVPAT Implementation: Explain the role of Voter-Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) in enhancing transparency and the concerns surrounding its proper functioning.
- Regular Audits: Highlight the importance of conducting regular audits of EVMs and VVPATs.
- Perception and Awareness:
- Public Trust: Address the necessity of building public trust in EVMs and the electoral process.
- Misinformation: Discuss the challenge of misinformation and how it affects public perception.
- Legal Challenges:
- Judicial Scrutiny: Mention the legal challenges faced by the ECI regarding EVMs and the need to comply with judicial rulings.
- Technical Challenges:
- Conclusion
- Summarize the importance of addressing these challenges to ensure the trustworthiness of elections in India.
- Emphasize the need for continuous improvement and public engagement by the ECI.
Relevant Facts
- Security Concerns: Ensuring EVMs are tamper-proof is crucial. In 2017, the ECI organized a hackathon to test EVM security, demonstrating their robustness.
- Malfunctioning Instances: During the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, reports of EVM malfunctions led to re-polling in certain constituencies, raising doubts about reliability.
- VVPAT Usage: VVPAT machines were used in the 2019 elections, allowing voters to verify their votes, but concerns about the proper functioning and storage of VVPAT slips persist.
- Audit Practices: The ECI increased the VVPAT slip counting rate from one to five per assembly segment during the 2019 elections to enhance transparency.
- Public Trust Initiatives: The ECI has conducted workshops to educate the public about EVM security features, aiming to build trust.
- Misinformation Management: The ECI established a social media monitoring cell to counter misinformation about EVMs.
- Judicial Compliance: In response to a PIL in 2018, the ECI agreed to increase VVPAT slip counting, highlighting the need for adherence to judicial directives .
Challenges for the Election Commission of India (ECI) Amid EVM Controversies
Conclusion: The ECI faces significant challenges in addressing EVM controversies and ensuring the credibility of elections. It must implement stringent security measures, foster transparency, and actively engage in public education to uphold electoral integrity.
Model Answer
Introduction
The use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in India has become a focal point of controversy, raising significant concerns about the trustworthiness and credibility of electoral outcomes. The Election Commission of India (ECI), as the custodian of the electoral process, faces several challenges in addressing these concerns to maintain the integrity of democratic elections.
Technical Challenges
Transparency and Auditability
Perception and Awareness
Legal Challenges
Conclusion
To uphold the trustworthiness of elections in India, the Election Commission must tackle these challenges through technical enhancements, increased transparency, public awareness initiatives, and proactive legal measures. Strengthening the electoral process is vital for preserving the democratic values enshrined in the Indian Constitution.