In the wake of the recent controversies surrounding the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in India, the Election Commission of India (ECI) finds itself confronted with a myriad of challenges to safeguard the credibility and trustworthiness of the country’s electoral process. The integrity of elections hinges on the ECI’s ability to address concerns related to the security and reliability of EVMs, given the rising skepticism and allegations of tampering. Ensuring the transparency of the electoral system becomes paramount, necessitating the adoption of advanced technological measures and robust cybersecurity protocols. Additionally, the Election Commission must actively engage in educating the public and political stakeholders about the intricacies of EVM functioning to alleviate apprehensions. Strengthening the legal framework surrounding electoral processes, enhancing accountability, and promoting stakeholder collaboration are indispensable steps for the Election Commission in restoring and sustaining public trust in the democratic exercise. As India navigates the complex landscape of electoral technology, the Election Commission faces the imperative task of fortifying the democratic foundation upon which the nation’s political fabric rests.
Tag: Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions, and responsibilities of various Constitutional Bodies.
Decoding the Question:
- In the Introduction, try to briefly write about the importance of the free and fair election and the role of the Election Commission of India.
- In Body,
- Discuss various challenges before ECI to ensure the trustworthiness of elections.
- Can suggest some measures to address challenges.
- Mention various initiatives taken by the Election commission
- In Conclusion, try to mention the importance of trustworthiness in the election and suggest a way forward.
Answer:
Elections constitute the signpost of democracy; it is a medium through which the people’s attitudes, values, and beliefs towards their political environment are reflected. Under Articles 324 to 329, Part XV of the Constitution, the Election Commission of India (ECI) is a constitutional body entrusted with the responsibility of administering free and fair elections in India.
Recently, the entire spectrum of political parties in India have expressed their reservations about the integrity of its EVMs. There have also been demands to revert to paper ballots. However, recently various controversies like allegations of EVM tampering, frequent violations of the code of conduct, etc., are hampering the credibility of the electoral process.
Challenges before ECI to Ensure the Trustworthiness of Elections:
- EVM security issue: There is a lack of competent polling officers for operating EVMs, and various reports and cases show last-minute glitches in the machines, which raises doubt about their functioning. Example: In the Delhi municipal elections 2017, Kairana and Noorpur by-elections, etc. the EVMs stopped working.
- Challenges in VVPATS: Considering the complexity VVPAT is introducing into the electoral process there is a need for competent polling officers.VVPATs are very complicated and slight mishandling can fail. E.g. In the Meghalaya Assembly by polls more than 33 percent VVPATs failed as the paper used was not suitable for the humid weather there.
- The criminalization of politics: The influence of money and criminal elements in politics and violence and electoral malpractices. In 2019, around 43% of Members of Parliament (MPs) had criminal cases pending against them.
- Abuse of power by the party in power: Many times, there are large-scale transfers on the eve of elections and posts of pliable officials in important positions, use of official vehicles, buildings, etc., for electioneering, flouting the Model code of conduct.
- Appointment and functioning of the Election Commission: There is a lack of transparency and not clearly defined criteria in the appointment of its members; they don’t have the security of tenure and are not debarred from future appointments, which raises questions on its trustworthiness.
- Model code of conduct (MCC): There is a frequent breach of the MCC during the election, and it has no legal backing. For example, the Launch of NAMO TV by the government, publicity of the ASAT mission by the party in power, etc.
- Influence of party in power: Many opposition parties alleged that ECI favors the party in power while announcing election dates and provides clean chits to its members on the violation of rules.
Steps taken by ECI to Gain the Confidence of the Voters:
- The ECI had also thrown open EVM hackathon challenges to prove the credibility of machines.
- There is multi-level checking of machines at various stages of the election process in front of political parties to gain trust.
- Frequent mock polls are conducted on random EVMs in the presence of political parties to ensure transparency.
- The Election Commission operationalized VVPAT to bring more transparency in the voting process.
Measures to Address Challenges:
- Amendment in the appointment and removal process of ECI as per the recommendation of the 2nd ARC to make it more transparent.
- To check the malfunctioning of devices, there should be an adequate safeguard for protection against physical damage and adverse climate. It can employ a trained workforce and capacity building of existing officers.
- More focus should be given to voter awareness and electoral literacy in a targeted manner to ensure the accountability of candidates. For example SVEEP (Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation Program) etc.
- The expenditure of the commission should be charged on the Consolidated Fund of India and there should be a separate cadre for greater institutional autonomy.
The use of EVMs & VVPAT made the election process more transparent and simpler and contributed to the developmental process by reducing electoral violence, empowering voters, etc. By shoring up its image and bringing in some more transparent reforms, the ECI can restore faith in elections.
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