In a scathing attack on India's use of electronic voting machines, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi expressed serious concerns about the integrity and transparency of the electoral process. He cited reports of alleged EVM manipulation and a post by tech mogul Elon Musk advocating for their elimination. Opposition parties have also consistently raised issues with EVMs, calling for a full count of VVPAT slips, but their demands have been denied.
EVM and VVPAT: Scrutiny and Concerns over Electoral Transparency in India
Background and Context
Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) have been used in India since 2000 to replace traditional paper ballots. They are designed to record votes electronically, eliminating the need for manual counting and reducing the likelihood of human errors. However, the use of EVMs has been met with controversy and concerns about their reliability and transparency.
Rahul Gandhi's Attack
In recent months, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has launched a scathing attack on India's use of EVMs. He has expressed serious concerns about the integrity and transparency of the electoral process, citing reports of alleged EVM manipulation and a post by tech mogul Elon Musk advocating for their elimination.
Opposition parties have also consistently raised issues with EVMs, calling for a full count of Voter-Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) slips. VVPAT slips are paper receipts that are printed after each vote is cast, allowing voters to verify that their vote has been recorded correctly.
Government Response
The Election Commission of India (ECI), which is responsible for conducting elections in India, has defended the use of EVMs. The ECI has stated that EVMs are "tamper-proof" and that there has been no evidence of any widespread manipulation.
However, the ECI's assurances have not fully addressed the concerns raised by opposition parties and critics. Some critics have argued that the ECI has not been transparent enough in its handling of EVM-related issues and that it has not adequately investigated allegations of manipulation.
Top 5 FAQs on EVMs and VVPAT
Q1: What are the advantages of using EVMs?
A: EVMs are designed to be more efficient and accurate than paper ballots. They reduce the likelihood of human errors and eliminate the need for manual counting. They also make it easier for voters with disabilities to cast their ballots.
Q2: What are the concerns about EVMs?
A: Concerns about EVMs include the possibility of manipulation, hacking, and malfunctioning. Critics have also raised concerns about the transparency of the electoral process and the lack of independent oversight of EVM production and maintenance.
Q3: What is VVPAT?
A: VVPAT stands for Voter-Verified Paper Audit Trail. It is a system that links EVMs with paper receipts. After each vote is cast, a VVPAT slip is printed and displayed to the voter, who can verify that their vote has been recorded correctly.
Q4: What are the concerns about VVPAT?
A: Concerns about VVPAT include the possibility of tampering, coercion, and intimidation. Critics have also raised concerns about the storage and retrieval of VVPAT slips and the lack of a full count of slips during election audits.
Q5: What is the current status of EVM and VVPAT in India?
A: EVMs continue to be used in India for all major elections. VVPAT is also mandated by the ECI for use in all polling stations. However, the debate over EVMs and VVPAT is ongoing, with opposition parties continuing to raise concerns about their reliability and transparency.
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