Source-This post on Voting process reforms in India has been created based on the article “Reforms needed in the voting process” published in “The Hindu” on 16 April 2024.
UPSC Syllabus–GS Paper-2-Salient Features of the Representation of People’s Act.
Context-The Supreme Court has decided to hear petitions asking for 100% cross-verification of Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) slips against the electronic vote count from Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).
Read more-EVM-Demand for 100% recount of all VVPATs
How has the voting process evolved in India since the first general election?
1) First two elections-In the first two general elections of 1952 and 1957, there was a separate box for each candidate with their election symbol. Voters had to put a blank ballot paper into the box of the candidate they wanted to vote for.
2) Third election-Starting from the third election, ballot papers with candidate names and symbols were introduced, and voters put a stamp on the candidate of their choice.
3) Introduction of EVM-The EVM was introduced on a trial basis in 1982 in the Assembly constituency of Paravur in Kerala. They were deployed in all booths during the Assembly elections of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Puducherry and West Bengal in 2001. In the 2004 general elections to the Lok Sabha, EVMs were used in all 543 constituencies.
4) Introduction of VVPAT– The Supreme Court In Subramanian Swamy versus Election Commission of India (2013) held that a paper trail is an indispensable requirement for free and fair elections. From 2019 general elections, EVMs backed with 100% VVPAT in all constituencies were introduced.
What are the benefits of EVMs?
1) It has eradicated booth capturing by limiting the rate of vote casting to four votes a minute and thus significantly increasing the time required for stuffing false votes
2) It has eliminated the problems of invalid votes in the elections.
3) It is eco-friendly as it reduces the consumption of paper.
4) It provides administrative convenience for the polling officers on the day of the poll and has made the counting process faster and error-free.
What are the mechanisms to uphold the integrity of EVM and VVPAT process?
1) There is random allocation of EVMs to booths before polls
2) Mock polls are conducted before the actual poll to display the correctness of EVMs and VVPAT.
3) EVM serial numbers and total votes cast are shared with candidates’ agents during vote counting for verification.
4) As per the Election Commission of India, EVM is a standalone device like a calculator with no connectivity to any external device and hence free from any kind of external hack
What are the issues associated with EVMs?
1) EVMs are susceptible to hacking as it is an electronic device.
2) Currently, the sample size for checking EVM counts with VVPAT slips is five per assembly constituency/segment. This isn’t based on scientific criteria and may not detect faulty EVMs during counting.
3) In the present process, booth-wise polling behaviour is identified by various parties. This may result in profiling and intimidation.
What should be the way forward?
1) Scientific approach-The sample for comparing EVM count and VVPAT slips should be determined scientifically by dividing each state into larger regions. If there’s even one mistake, all VVPAT slips for that area should be counted fully, and they should decide the results.
2) Introduction of Totaliser machines-Totaliser machines that are equipped to aggregate votes in 15-20 EVMs before revealing the candidate-wise, count can be introduced. This would minimise the possibilities of profiling and intimidation.
Question for practice
Why the demand for 100% cross verification of Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) slips against the electronic vote count from Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) is not feasible? What steps can be taken by the ECI to assuage the apprehensions of political parties?
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