UPSC Mains 2018 GS2 Q1 — Elections and EVMs
In the light of recent controversy regarding the use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVM), what are the challenges before the Election Commission of India to ensure the trustworthiness of elections in India? (Answer in 150 words)
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The Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) system was used for the first time by the Election Commission of India in
Source Map — where to read
"Ballot papers are printed with the names of the candidates (in languages set by the Election Commission) and the symbols allotted to each of the candidates. Candidates of recognized parties are allotted their party symbols. Since 1998, the Commission has increasingly used Electronic Voting Machines (EMVs) instead of ballot boxes. In 2003, all state elections and by-elections were held using EVMs. Encouraged by this, the Commission took a historic decision to use only EVMs for the Lok Sabha election in 2004. More than 1 million EVMs were used in this election. Electronic Voting Machine An Elect…"
"• 1. In the light of recent controversy regarding the use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVM), what are the challenges before the Election Commission of India to ensure the trustworthiness of elections in India? 150 words • 2. Whether National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) can enforce the implementation of constitutional reservation for the Scheduled Castes in religious minority institutions? Examine. [150 words] elected government of Delhi? Examine. [250 words] 15 • 7. How far do you agree with the view that tribunals curtail the jurisdiction of ordinary courts? In view of the above,…"
"This was done in order to prevent non-serious candidates from I ;"""'""'contesti ng frivolously. Electronic Voting Machines In 1989 , a provision was made to facilitate the use of electronic Voting' Machines (EVMs) in elections. The EVMs were used for the first time in 1998 on experimental basis in selected constituencies in the electio ns to the Assemblies of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Delhi. The EVMs were used for the first time in the gene'ral elections (entire state) to the Assembly of Goa in 1999. Booth Capturing In 1989 , a provision was made for adjournment of poll or countermanding …"
"Allocation of Time on Electronic Media Under a 2003 provision, the Election Commission should allocate equitable sharing of time on the cable television network and other electronic media during elections to display or propagate any matter or to address public. This allocation would be decided on the basis of the past performance of a recognised political party. Introduction of Braille signage features in EVMs The Commission received representations from various associations of visually impaired persons for introducing Braille signage features in EVMs to facilitate visually impaired voters to …"
"2005- Gent.: • No.: ; 05638: o line with; 159 - Chakus L.A. 2005- Gent.: • No.: ; 05638: 10 per en 10; 159 - Chakus L.A. 2005- Gent.: A sample of the ballot paper used from the third to the thirteenth general elections to Lok Sabha These days we use an Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) to record voters' preferences. But that is not how we started. In the first general election, it was decided to place inside each polling booth a box for each candidate with the election symbol of that candidate. Each voter was given a blank ballot paper which they had to drop into the box of the candidate they wa…"
How this topic is evolving
The focus has shifted from the technical integrity of EVMs to a broader institutional scrutiny of the Election Commission's quasi-judicial powers and its role in regulating political finance. Recent judicial interventions regarding the delisting of Registered Unrecognised Political Parties (RUPPs) and the scrutiny of electoral rolls in West Bengal have transitioned the debate from machine-level accuracy to procedural fairness and voter data integrity.
Beyond the technical conduct of polls, the Election Commission of India (ECI) is increasingly required to act as a rigorous regulator of political entities and financial transparency. Critically examine the challenges before the ECI in exercising its quasi-judicial powers to ensure electoral integrity in the context of recent debates on party deregistration and voter data security. (Answer in 250 words)
Why this framing: ECI's crackdown on Registered Unrecognised Political Parties (RUPPs) and judicial oversight of electoral roll revisions.
Question Decoded — examiner's intent
- Directive verbs
- what are the challenges
- Scope keywords
- recent controversyuse of Electronic Voting Machines (EVM)Election Commission of Indiatrustworthiness of elections
- Implicit sub-parts
- What specific technical and procedural doubts have been raised regarding EVM/VVPAT integrity?
- What are the operational and legal challenges ECI faces in mitigating these doubts?
- How can the ECI balance transparency with the speed and efficiency of the electoral process?
- Common pitfalls
- Writing a technical manual on how EVMs work instead of focusing on the 'trust' and 'challenges' aspect.
- Ranting against specific political parties or specific election results instead of maintaining a neutral constitutional tone.
- Failing to mention the role of VVPAT (Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail) as the primary tool for transparency.
- Spending too many words on the history of EVMs rather than the 'recent' controversies and future-looking challenges.
- Dimensions required
- Technological (hacking/tampering concerns)Procedural (audit trails, mock polls, chain of custody)Legal/Judicial (Supreme Court rulings on 100% VVPAT counting)Perceptual (public confidence and misinformation)
- Marks allocation hint
Spend 30 words briefly contextualizing the controversy (Supreme Court cases/petitions). Allocate 90 words to the core challenges (technical transparency vs. administrative feasibility). Reserve the final 30 words for the ECI's path forward to restore absolute public trust.
How examiners have framed this topic over the years
Moved from specific technical legitimacy (2018) to the broader evolution of regulatory authority and institutional adaptability (2022-2025).
In 2018, the examiner framed the Election Commission of India (ECI) through the lens of technical controversy (EVMs) and the immediate crisis of 'trustworthiness.' Subsequently, in 2022, the framing shifted from technical hardware to the historical 'evolution of the Model Code of Conduct,' testing the ECI’s normative authority over time. This trend mirrors broader LATER questions across GS2 and GS3—such as the 2023 Competition Commission focus and the 2025 trade challenge framing—which consistently pivot from identifying 'multidimensional challenges' to evaluating the 'role' and 'measures' required for institutions to adapt to modern pressures.
PYQs this pattern was synthesized from
Answer Skeleton — fill this in
Introduction
Under Article 324, the Election Commission of India (ECI) is mandated to conduct "free and fair" elections. While Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) revolutionized polling, recent skepticism regarding their integrity and hackability poses a significant challenge to democratic legitimacy [Laxmikant, Ch. 42].
Body
Technological Integrity and Transparency
- Ensuring the non-tamperability of M3 generation EVMs and their "One-Time Programmable" (OTP) chips to prevent external interference.
- Addressing the "Black Box" concern where voters cannot verify the internal digital processing of their vote [PRS Legislative Research, Electoral Reforms].
- Maintaining a secure Chain of Custody during the transport and storage of machines in strongrooms.
Legal and Audit Challenges (VVPAT)
- Demands for 100% VVPAT slip verification versus the current sample-based audit of five polling stations per assembly segment.
- Upholding the Supreme Court mandate in Subramanian Swamy vs ECI (2013) which deemed VVPATs "indispensable" for a free and fair poll [The Hindu, Supreme Court Judgments].
- Standardizing protocols for "mismatch" scenarios between electronic counts and paper slips.
Public Perception and Information Warfare
- Combating misinformation and viral "fake news" regarding EVM manipulation on social media platforms.
- Strengthening the SVEEP (Systematic Voters' Education and Electoral Participation) program to educate rural and urban voters on machine security [NCERT, Democratic Politics-II].
- Building political consensus by involving all stakeholders in "First Level Checking" (FLC) and mock polls.
Conclusion
The ECI must bridge the "trust deficit" by adopting a pro-transparency approach, potentially increasing the VVPAT audit trail. Ensuring that the electoral process is not only fair but also seen to be fair is vital for the continued health of Indian democracy.
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