Context:
Opposition demanding more VVPAT machines in Lok Sabha polls along with EVMs
EVM (Electronic Voting Machines):
- 1st used in – 1981 in the by-election to North Paravur Assembly Constituency of Kerala
- Commissioned in – 1989 by Election Commission of India in collaboration with Bharat Electronics Limited and Electronics Corporation of India Limited.
- Comprises 2 units – Control unit and Balloting unit
- Control Unit is operated by the Booth officer
- The presiding officer activates the balloting unit after every subsequent vote so that the next voter can make his choice
- Important Features –
- Runs on a 6-volt single alkaline battery fixed in the control unit.
- It can even be used in areas that have no electricity.
- Can record a maximum of 3840 votes and the votes can be stored for 10 years and more.
- Shelf Life – EVMs have a life of only 15 years
- Security Features –
- Tamper detection – If anyone tries to open an EVM Machine, the device will become inoperative
- Self-diagnostic checks – The machine catches any change in hardware or software when it boots up
VVPAT (Voter-Verified Paper Audit Trail):
- VVPAT – Independent verification printer machine that is attached to electronic voting machines.
- Significance – It allows voters to verify if their vote has gone to the intended candidate.
- Working –
- When a voter presses a button in the EVM, a paper slip is printed through the VVPAT.
- The slip contains the poll symbol and name of the candidate.
- It allows the voter to verify his/her choice.
- After being visible to the voter from a glass case in the VVPAT for a few seconds, the ballot slip will be cut and dropped into the drop box in the VVPAT machine and a beep will be heard.
- Accessibility – Can be accessed by polling officers only
Source: Economic Times
Previous Year Question
Consider the following statements:
1. In the election for Lok Sabha or State Assembly, the winning candidate must get at least 50 per cent of the votes polled to be declared elected.
2. According to the provisions laid down in the Constitution of India, in Lok Sabha, the Speaker’s post goes to the majority party and the Deputy Speaker’s to the Opposition.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
[UPSC Civil Service Exam – 2017 Prelims]
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (d)
Explanation:
Statement 1 is incorrect. India has FPTP system whereby the candidate with the highest number of votes in a constituency is declared the winner.
Statement 2 is incorrect. Constitution doesn’t have such provisions.
