Congress leader Rahul Gandhi expressed concerns over the opacity and lack of scrutiny in India's electoral process, citing a post by Tesla and X CEO Elon Musk advocating for the elimination of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). This comes amidst a controversy in Maharashtra where a relative of a Shiv Sena candidate was found using a phone connected to the EVM, leading to demands for a full count of VVPAT slips and a call for use of traditional paper ballots by opposition parties.
Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs): Concerns and Controversies
Background
Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) were first introduced in India in 1998 as a means to enhance the efficiency, accuracy, and transparency of the electoral process. They replaced paper ballots and involved the use of electronic devices to record the votes of electors.
Over the years, EVMs have faced criticism and concerns regarding their opacity, lack of scrutiny, and potential for manipulation. These concerns have been raised by political parties, activists, and citizens alike.
Current Controversy
The recent controversy surrounding EVMs in India revolves around the concerns raised by Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk. Musk tweeted about the importance of verifying voting systems and expressed skepticism towards the use of EVMs.
This tweet ignited a debate in India, with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi echoing the concerns and calling for reforms in the electoral process. Following a controversy in Maharashtra where a relative of a Shiv Sena candidate was found using a phone connected to an EVM, opposition parties have demanded a full count of VVPAT slips and a return to traditional paper ballots.
Top 5 FAQs and Answers
1. What are EVMs?
EVMs are electronic devices used to record votes in elections. They consist of a Control Unit (CU) and a Ballot Unit (BU). The CU is responsible for controlling the voting process, while the BU displays the names of candidates and allows electors to cast their votes.
2. Are EVMs hackable?
The Election Commission of India (ECI) maintains that EVMs are not hackable and are designed with multiple layers of security to prevent manipulation. However, critics have expressed concerns about the possibility of tampering with the software or hardware of EVMs.
3. What are the concerns with EVMs?
Concerns with EVMs include:
4. What are VVPAT slips?
VVPAT (Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail) slips are paper slips generated by EVMs that provide a physical record of the vote cast. These slips allow electors to verify that their vote has been correctly recorded.
5. What are the alternatives to EVMs?
Some of the alternatives to EVMs include:
Conclusion
The ongoing debate over EVMs in India highlights the importance of ensuring transparent, accurate, and reliable electoral processes. While EVMs have their advantages, concerns about their opacity and potential for manipulation persist. The ECI has a crucial role to play in addressing these concerns and fostering public confidence in the electoral system.
The UK's ongoing general election could bring an end to 14 years of Conservative rule as predictions show the Labour Party on track for a historic victory. Amidst infighting and scandals within the Conservative Party and a cost-of-living crisis affecting the nation, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak cast his vote on Thursday with fears of losing his own seat. With a record number of ethnic minority MPs expected to be voted into Parliament, the election's outcome could reflect the diversity of the British electorate.
Senior BJP leader and Rajasthan Agriculture Minister Kirodi Lal Meena has resigned from the state cabinet, following through on his promise to step down if the party lost any of the seven Lok Sabha seats in the recent polls. The results, announced on June 4, saw the party lose in Meena's hometown of Dausa. The 72-year-old leader had made the pledge during the election campaign.
Amidst the coverage of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Lok Sabha speech in the Motion of Thanks, leading news channels were accused of showing indifference to the Hathras stampede where over 100 people lost their lives. Insensitive reporting and government's lack of empathy towards the incident is being criticized. It is found that the incident took place before 3 pm, yet it took TV news channels nearly three hours to make it the headline. This has sparked a debate on media priorities and government accountability.
AAP MP Raghav Chadha has called for the harshest action against those involved in organizing the Hathras Satsang event, stating that the edited video circulating showed the blatant disregard for COVID-19 protocols. The Enforcement Directorate has also revealed that a key person involved in the AAP's alleged excise policy scam was a cash handler for the party in the upcoming Goa elections. Meanwhile, security outside Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's Delhi residence has been heightened after intelligence inputs of possible disturbance from right-wing groups.
Jharkhand's Chief Minister Champai Soren has resigned, paving the way for his son Hemant Soren to return to the position of Chief Minister. Hemant Soren, who had previously served as CM for two terms, was unanimously elected leader of the ruling alliance's legislators at a meeting where he was released on bail after being jailed for five months on a money laundering charge. The move has been criticized by opposition spokesperson Vinay Singh, who accused of dynastic politics, but alliance leaders state that the move is for a unified command ahead of the upcoming State elections in October.
The Indian Army has denied social media posts claiming that the family of Agniveer martyr Agniveer Ajay Kumar has not received compensation for his sacrifice. The Army clarified that the family has already been paid Rs 98.39 lakh and will receive a total amount of Rs 1.65 crore. This rebuttal comes after Rahul Gandhi accused Defence Minister Rajnath Singh of lying about the issue of compensation to families of martyred Agniveers. The Indian Army reaffirmed their commitment to honouring fallen heroes and paying their families' emoluments expeditiously.
As the UK general election approaches, an analysis by British Future predicts that the Labour Party is set to have the largest number of ethnic minority MPs, including Indian heritage, if they win a majority. With 14% of MPs coming from ethnic minority backgrounds, the new Parliament will be the closest to reflecting the diversity of the British electorate. Despite some high-profile British Indian MPs not seeking re-election, there are still many key candidates to watch, including Praful Nargund who is contesting in Islington North, the seat of former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn.
After months of political turmoil and legal battles, Hemant Soren is poised to make a comeback as Chief Minister of Jharkhand, with Champai Soren submitting his resignation to Governor Radhakrishnan. This decision was reached after a meeting of alliance leaders, who unanimously agreed to elect Hemant Soren as JMM legislature party leader. Talks are also underway for Champai Soren to take on new responsibilities within the party.
Opposition parties walked out of the Rajya Sabha during PM Modi's address, accusing him of lying and speaking beyond the truth. The PM addressed issues such as the Bengal flogging incident and the Opposition's selective attitude towards atrocities against women. TMC's deputy leader Sagarika Ghose wrote a letter to the RS chairman, urging him to expunge PM Modi's remarks. In a separate incident, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi accused Defense Minister Rajnath Singh of lying in Parliament and demanded an apology.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has accused the YSRCP government of neglecting and hindering the progress of the Polvaram project, which aims to bring irrigation and drinking water to the state. During his regime, Naidu claims to have completed 72% of the project, but under the current YSRCP government, only 4% of work has been done. He blames this delay for causing immense damage and pushing the project into a deep mess, causing more harm than the damages caused by the state's bifurcation.