Context:
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has developed Election Seizure Management System (ESMS) for real-time updates.
- It will be used for the 1st time during the State Assembly Elections that are scheduled for November 2023 in the 5 states of Mizoram, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Telangana.
About ESMS:
- A tech platform for real-time updates on seizures from the field by state and central enforcement agencies.
- Objective – To check the flow of illegal cash, drugs and freebies such as sarees, liquor etc. thereby ensuring free and fair elections.
- Features – It ensures seamless coordination and intelligence sharing amongst enforcement agencies.
- Nodal agencies – State nodal officers, District nodal officers and flying squad teams.
Election Commission of India (ECI) is a 3-member constitutional autonomous body to conduct and regulate elections to the offices of the President and Vice-President of India, Parliament, State Legislative Assemblies and Legislative Councils.
Use of technology in Indian elections:
- cVIGIL Application – For filing Model Code of Conduct Violation
- Suvidha Portal – For online nomination, permission etc. for political parties and candidates.
- GARUDA – Geographical Asset Reconnaissance Unified Digital App helps in coordination between Booth Level officers (BLOs).
- ETPBS – Electronically Transmitted Postal Ballot System enables the entitled service voters to cast their vote.
- Voter verifiable paper audit trail (VVPAT) or verified paper record (VPR) is a method of providing feedback to voters using a ballotless voting system.
Key Facts on Model Code of Conduct (MCC):
- A set of guidelines issued by the Election Commission to regulate political parties and candidates prior to elections, to ensure free and fair elections.
- It has been evolved with the consensus of political parties who have consented to abide by the principles embodied in the said code and also binds them to respect and observe it in its letter and spirit.
Article 324 of the Constitution gives the Election Commission the power to supervise elections to the Parliament and state legislatures.
- Operational duration of MCC – From the date that the election schedule is announced till the date that results are announced.
- 1st introduced – State assembly elections in Kerala in 1960.
- Issued code for the 1st time in 1971 (5th Election) and revised it from time to time.
- The MCC is not enforceable by law. However, certain provisions of the MCC may be enforced through invoking corresponding provisions in other statutes such as the Indian Penal Code, 1860, Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, and Representation of the People Act, 1951.
Source: Financial Express
Previous Year Question
Consider the following statements:
1. According to the Constitution of India, a person who is eligible to vote can be made a minister in a State for six months even if he/she is not a member of the Legislature of that State.
2. According to the Representation of People Act, 1951, a person convicted of a criminal offence and sentenced to imprisonment for five years is permanently disqualified from contesting an election even after his release from prison.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2020 Prelims]
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (d)
Explanation:
Every citizen who is 18 years old on the qualifying date (January 1 of the year in case) unless disqualified, is eligible to be enrolled as a voter. An individual who is not an MLA can become a minister if he gets himself elected to the State Legislature within six months from the date of his appointment. However, while the voting age is at 18 years, a person can be an MLA only after 25 years of age. Hence, statement 1 is not correct.
Section 8 of RPA, 1951 states the grounds for disqualification on conviction of certain offenses pursuant to Section 8 of RPA, 1951. The convicted candidate is disqualified from being a member of either house of Parliament or State Legislature from the date of such conviction till the stated time. This is not permanent. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.
