Anand Sharma Urges Election Commission to Restore Public Trust
Anand Sharma calls for Election Commission to address EVM concerns, rebuild trust.
Photo by Chad Stembridge
Key Facts
Anand Sharma: EC credibility eroding
EVM concerns: Tampering, misuse
EC needs: Course correction
UPSC Exam Angles
GS Paper II: Polity and Governance - Constitutional bodies, election processes
Connects to syllabus topics like constitutional institutions, electoral reforms, transparency in governance
Potential question types: Statement-based, analytical questions on ECI's role and challenges
Visual Insights
Erosion of Trust in ECI: Key Events
Timeline showing key events related to concerns about the Election Commission of India and EVMs, leading to Anand Sharma's recent statement.
Concerns about EVMs have persisted for several years, with opposition parties and civil society groups raising questions about their security and potential for manipulation. These concerns have led to demands for greater transparency and accountability in the electoral process.
- 2017Opposition parties raise concerns about EVM tampering after state elections.
- 2018ECI holds an 'EVM Challenge' to demonstrate the security of EVMs.
- 2019Supreme Court directs ECI to increase VVPAT verification in each constituency.
- 2020Continued debates and discussions on EVM security and transparency.
- 2023Several petitions filed in High Courts questioning EVM integrity.
- 2024ECI introduces further measures to enhance voter awareness and confidence in the electoral process.
- 2025Expert committees review EVM protocols and suggest improvements.
- 2026Anand Sharma urges Election Commission to restore public trust amid ongoing EVM concerns.
More Information
Background
The Election Commission of India (ECI) was established on January 25, 1950, a day before India became a Republic. The Constitution of India, under Article 324, provides for an independent and autonomous Election Commission to ensure free and fair elections. Initially, the ECI had only one Election Commissioner.
However, after the Election Commissioner Amendment Act, 1989, it became a multi-member body, typically consisting of a Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and two Election Commissioners. The evolution of EVMs is also crucial. They were first used in 1982 in Kerala and gradually introduced nationwide to reduce malpractices like booth capturing and ballot paper tampering.
The introduction of Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) systems aimed to further enhance transparency and voter confidence.
Latest Developments
In recent years, the ECI has focused on enhancing voter participation through initiatives like Systematic Voters' Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP). There has been increased emphasis on digital literacy among voters, especially targeting first-time voters and marginalized communities. The ECI has also been actively engaging with social media platforms to combat misinformation and ensure a level playing field during elections.
Debates surrounding the integrity of EVMs continue, with demands for greater transparency in their functioning and verification processes. The introduction of remote voting for migrant workers is being explored to address the issue of low voter turnout in certain regions. The ECI is also working on improving the accessibility of polling booths for persons with disabilities and senior citizens.
Practice Questions (MCQs)
1. Consider the following statements regarding the Election Commission of India (ECI): 1. The ECI is a multi-member body since its inception. 2. The Constitution explicitly defines the qualifications for the Election Commissioners. 3. The ECI is responsible for conducting elections to the Parliament, State Legislatures, and the office of the President and Vice-President. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A.1 and 2 only
- B.3 only
- C.2 and 3 only
- D.1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Answer: B
Statement 1 is incorrect as the ECI was initially a single-member body. Statement 2 is incorrect as the Constitution does not define the qualifications for Election Commissioners.
2. In the context of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT), which of the following statements is NOT correct?
- A.VVPAT allows voters to verify that their vote is cast as intended.
- B.EVMs were first used in India in 1982 in Kerala.
- C.VVPAT machines are directly connected to the EVMs and can be remotely accessed.
- D.EVMs have significantly reduced booth capturing and ballot paper tampering.
Show Answer
Answer: C
VVPAT machines are not remotely accessible; they are designed to provide a physical paper trail for verification and are not connected to any network.
3. Assertion (A): Concerns have been raised regarding the transparency and security of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in India. Reason (R): The Election Commission of India (ECI) has consistently maintained that EVMs are tamper-proof and has implemented various safeguards to ensure their integrity. In the context of the above statements, which of the following is correct?
- A.Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
- B.Both A and R are true, but R is NOT the correct explanation of A.
- C.A is true, but R is false.
- D.A is false, but R is true.
Show Answer
Answer: B
Both the assertion and reason are true. Concerns about EVM transparency exist, and the ECI has taken measures to ensure integrity. However, the ECI's measures don't fully address all concerns, so R is not the complete explanation of A.