CONCERNS OVER EVM BREAKDOWNS
Why in the News?
- Ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, documents obtained through RTI reveal Election Commission concerns over Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) breakdown rates.
- The first-level check (FLC) is an initial technical examination conducted in the six months leading up to elections, supervised by District Election Officers.
About Break Downs:
- During the First-Level Check (FLC), reports showed a notable breakdown rate for EVM parts, notably VVPATs and CUs.
- Breakdown instances continued even during candidate data input close to polling dates.
- While no official cutoff is defined, a rejection rate of up to 5% is deemed acceptable by sources.
About the Election Commission of India (ECI)
· Established on January 25, 1950, under the Constitution, the ECI is an autonomous authority overseeing Union and State elections. · It administers elections for the Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, State Legislative Assemblies, and offices of the President and Vice President. · Separate bodies manage elections for panchayats and municipalities in states. Constitutional Provisions: · Part XV (Article 324-329) of the Indian Constitution governs elections, establishing the ECI. · Article 324 vests superintendence, direction, and control of elections in the ECI. · Articles 325-329 detail eligibility, adult suffrage, and powers of Parliament and state legislatures in electoral matters. |