UPSC Mains 2018 · GS II · Q1 · 10 marks · 150 words

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?

हिन्दी में

इलेक्ट्रॉनिक वोटिंग मशीनों (ई० वी० एम०) के इस्तेमाल संबंधी हाल के विवाद के आलोक में, भारत में चुनावों की विश्वास्यता सुनिश्चित करने के लिए भारत के निर्वाचन आयोग के समक्ष क्या-क्या चुनौतियाँ हैं?

How a topper answered the closest question

Toppers wrote this one in a test series: “Has the use of technology aided in ensuring free and fair elections in India? Elaborate.”

Tanmai KhannaAIR 61 · CSE 2022 · 155 wordsTheir whole copy

Opening

The use of EVMs has been a controversial decision in Indian elections, and the rise of digital connectivity has changed the face of campaigning: we face the following issues:

Body · points

↳ EVMs have been banned in Germany, Ireland, Netherlands for being unreliable.

↳ Social Media campaigning has made it impossible for the Election Commission to effectively regulate the Model Code of conduct.

↳ Cryptocurrencies have allowed unregulated election funding from unknown sources, above and beyond declared sources.

However, we have adequately ensured free and fair elections:

↳ EVMs are standalone machines. They are tested thoroughly, and have been verified through VVPATS. They save valuable time and ensure free and fair elections.

↳ Social media is regulated through the Digital Media ethics rules. EC's app cVIGIL allows citizens to report violations of MCC with A-V evidence.

Close · a summary

While technology comes with its challenges, with adequate safeguards, we have ensured free and fair elections in the world's biggest democracy.

3 more toppers’ answers to this question, part by part, and how they all approached it: open the question.

Toppers’ answers to other close questions

Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Main) Examination 2018, General Studies Paper II, Q1. The paper on upsc.gov.in. Themes and links to toppers’ answers are by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.