All questions of Elections, Electoral Laws & Reforms for UPSC CSE Exam

EVM (Electronic Voting Machine) - History and Features

History of EVMs:
- Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) were introduced in India in 1982 on an experimental basis in 50 polling stations of the Paravur Assembly Constituency in Kerala.
- EVMs were first used in a general election in 1999, when they were used in 16 Assembly seats in Madhya Pradesh.
- In the 2004 Lok Sabha elections, EVMs were used in all polling stations.

Features of EVMs:
- An EVM is a standalone device that is used to record votes electronically and is manufactured by two Public Sector Units (PSUs) - Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Electronics Corporation of India Limited (ECIL).
- An EVM can record a maximum of 3840 votes (64 candidates x 60 polling stations) in a single round of polling, and can be used for up to 16 candidates.
- EVMs have a unique design that eliminates the possibility of casting invalid votes, which was a common issue during the paper ballot regime.

Advantages of EVMs:
- EVMs are more accurate than paper ballot system as they eliminate the possibility of invalid votes due to wrong marking.
- EVMs are faster and more efficient than paper ballot system as they reduce the time required for counting and result declaration.
- EVMs are more secure than paper ballot system as they have multiple layers of security features such as control unit, balloting unit, and VVPAT (Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail) system.

Disadvantages of EVMs:
- EVMs are vulnerable to hacking and tampering, which can affect the accuracy and fairness of elections.
- EVMs are expensive to manufacture and maintain, which can be a problem for developing countries like India.

Conclusion:
Despite some concerns regarding the accuracy and security of EVMs, they have become an integral part of the Indian electoral system due to their efficiency and effectiveness in conducting free and fair elections. The Election Commission of India has taken several measures to ensure the integrity and security of EVMs, such as introducing VVPAT system and conducting regular mock polls and vulnerability tests.

Election will not be conducted again, a candidate who got the highest vote will be declared as the winner.

The ECI only implements whatever directives are framed. It does not have the power to issue such powerful directives. This directive came out in a Supreme Court justice.

The correct answer is option 'C' - 3 only.

In India, there are certain legal requirements that political parties and candidates fighting elections must adhere to. These requirements are designed to ensure transparency, accountability, and equality in the electoral process. The three options provided in the question are:

1. Giving a certain percentage of election tickets to women candidates:
This option is not legally mandatory for political parties or candidates in India. However, to promote gender equality and encourage the participation of women in politics, the Election Commission of India has issued guidelines recommending political parties to give a certain percentage of election tickets to women candidates. While it is not legally binding, political parties are encouraged to follow these guidelines.

2. A record of the adherence of a political party to its own Constitution:
This option is also not legally mandatory for political parties or candidates in India. However, it is important for political parties to adhere to their own constitutions in order to maintain internal discipline and ensure transparency. The Election Commission of India does not have the power to enforce compliance with a party's constitution, but it can take cognizance of any violation or dispute related to the party's internal affairs.

3. Submit an affidavit giving details of his property and criminal cases pending against him to the concerned authority:
This option is legally mandatory for political candidates fighting elections in India. As per the guidelines issued by the Election Commission of India, all candidates are required to submit an affidavit giving details of their property, assets, liabilities, educational qualifications, and criminal cases pending against them, if any. This affidavit needs to be submitted to the concerned authority, usually the Returning Officer, before the candidate's nomination is accepted. This requirement aims to promote transparency and inform voters about the background and potential conflicts of interest of the candidates.

In conclusion, out of the options provided, only option 3 is legally mandatory for political candidates fighting elections in India. They are required to submit an affidavit giving details of their property and any criminal cases pending against them. Options 1 and 2 are not legally mandatory, but they are encouraged by the Election Commission of India for promoting gender equality and maintaining internal discipline within political parties.

Explanation:

1. ECI Procurement Strategy:
- ECI procures most Completely Built Units (CBUs) of EVMs from abroad to reduce security exposure to domestic clients. This helps in ensuring that the EVMs are not susceptible to tampering or manipulation by external parties.

2. Tamper-Proof Design:
- The EVMs use ‘date and time stamping of each and every keypress’ making them tamper-proof. This feature adds an additional layer of security to the voting process, ensuring the integrity of the election results.

3. Re-programmable EVMs:
- Most EVMs are re-programmable, allowing much-needed flexibility to incorporate new features without incurring new production expenditures. This flexibility enables the ECI to adapt to changing technological requirements and make enhancements to the voting system as needed.
Therefore, the correct answer is option 'A' (2 only), as the second point highlights a key feature of the EVMs that contribute to their security and reliability in the electoral process.

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Explanation:

M3-type electronic voting machines (EVMs) are used for conducting elections in India. The following statements are true about M3-type EVMs:

1. Tamper-detect feature: These machines have a tamper-detect feature which means that if someone tries to open or tinker with the machine, it will stop functioning.

2. Imported from Canada: M3-type EVMs are not imported from Canada. They are manufactured in India by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Electronics Corporation of India Limited (ECIL).

3. Automatic fault detection: The machine can automatically detect any fault with the software or system and will show it in the display.

4. Control Unit and Ballot Unit cannot communicate: The Control Unit and Ballot Unit of the EVM cannot communicate with each other, making it less vulnerable to hacking.

Therefore, the correct option is 'D' - 1 and 3 only.