Describe India's electoral system, difference between a ballot and an EVM | RBI Grade B Phase 1 Preparation - Bank Exams PDF Download

Describe India's electoral system, difference between a ballot and an EVM

Election administration is a difficult task in a large nation like India. It requires strict security oversight. In our nation, elections take place virtually every day. Our constitution gave independent electoral machinery a specific amount of importance and established the Election Commission of India, which is in charge of overseeing, directing, and controlling all elections.It is headed by a Chief Election Commissioner, who is assisted by a large number of officers. The ultimate aim of the ECI is to conduct free and fair elections in the country. The process of an election begins when the President or Governor of a state issues a notification.
The candidates file their nominations within seven days of the issue of the notification. Every candidate has to make a security deposit, which is forfeited if the candidate fails to get at least 1/6 th of the total votes polled.Then, while adhering to the model code of conduct, the campaigning begins. The counting, counting, and declaring of results follow.
EVMs were first used in 1982 at some polling stations in Kerala during a by -election. Before that paper ballots were only used. It was found that various malpractices like vote rigging, muscle power, booth capturing etc were being carried out and hence alternate ways for polling were sought after. After a lot of trials and experiments, in the year 2004 finally EVMs were used in the Lok Sabha elections that completely did away with the paper ballots. Controversies are synonymous to elections in India and the use of EVMs has become a hot potato for the parties that lose in the elections. There are both merits and demerits of both the systems. Usage of EVMs has prevented a huge wastage of paper. On the other hand, there is a debate of the EVMs being hacked. Counting paper ballots can be a gargantuan task, whereas EVMs have an increased efficiency. Until there is proof of the EVMs being tampered these are definitely the best option and going back to paper ballots should in any case be avoided.