“POLITICAL CONTROVERSY IN MUMBAI OVER ALLEGED EVM UNLOCKING INCIDENT”

Why in the news?

  • Political row in Mumbai over alleged unlocking of EVM using mobile phone OTP during counting.
  • Opposition questions transparency, EC refutes claims, and police investigate irregularities.
source:eci

About Electronic Voting Machine (EVM):

  • Device for electronically recording votes.
  • First Use: Paravur Assembly Constituency, Kerala, 1982.
  • Adoption: Since 1998, used increasingly by the Election Commission instead of ballot boxes.
  • State Elections: From 2003, all state elections and by-elections were conducted using EVMs.
  • Lok Sabha Elections: From 2004, EVMs exclusively used for Lok Sabha elections.
  • Capacity: Can record up to 2,000 votes.
  • Power Source: Operates on ordinary battery, no need for electricity.
  • Operating System: Stand-alone machine, no operating system utilized.
About Election Commission of India (ECI):

  • Establishment: The Election Commission of India (ECI) is an autonomous constitutional authority established on January 25, 1950.
  • Responsibilities: It administers Union and State election processes, including elections to the Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, State Legislative Assemblies, and offices of the President and Vice President.
  • Constitutional Basis: Part XV of the Indian Constitution (Article 324-329) deals with elections and establishes the Election Commission.
  • Appointment & Tenure: Appointed by the President, they have a fixed tenure of six years or until the age of 65, whichever is earlier.

Associated Article:

https://universalinstitutions.com/trust-in-machineson-the-supreme-court-and-the-evm/