The recently released film Newton is India’s official entry to Oscar 2018. Let us know more about the reality of Election Commission.
Touted as one of the greatest organisations in India, the Election Commission undertakes the largest democratic elections in the world. The 2014 General Elections were historic as it was the time when the largest number of people voted in history.
So, what is the exact role of the Election Commission?
It is responsible for free and fair election in the country. It announces when voting will be done, gives recognition to political parties, assigns symbols to them, checks fraud and corruption during elections, and monitors a large army of election officers to ensure that every citizen of India can exercise his vote without any fear or pressure.
In Lower Dibang Valley district of Arunachal Pradesh, polling parties walk between 10kms and 46kms on foot to conduct polls.
In this way, it upholds the tenet of democracy in the most real sense.
Who appoints the Election Commission and ensures that they function properly?
The President appoint the Chairman and other members of the Election Commission. They have a fixed tenure, and their removal is very tough to ensure that they work without fear and interference.
What is an EVM?
Earlier people used to give their votes on paper, but this left a chance open for corrupt practises by political parties. They would stuff the ballot box with proxi votes, or they would be threat to people who count the votes.
With Electronic Voting Machines, all human interference in the system has reduced. Now you can punch in your choice, and voted get counted electronically. Chances of fraudulent votes are less.
This has also improved with Voter Verified paper audit trail, which gives a feedback to the voter.
Who makes EVMs?
EVMs are powered by an ordinary 6 volt alkaline battery manufactured by Bharat Electronics Limited, Bangalore and Electronics Corporation of India Limited, Hyderabad. This design enables the use of EVMs throughout the country without interruptions because several parts of India do not have power supply and/or erratic power supply.
Can EVMs be hacked?
The EC claims that the EVMs are designed to be hack proof. But some experts suggest that the designing of mock polls and other checks, EVMs may be vulnerable to tampering.
What happens if I press in a vote multiple times?
Only one vote is registered per person. So only the first choice of the voter is counted by the machine.
Did you know that the indelible ink used in election is manufactured at only one place in India?
Mysore Paints and Varnish Limited is a company located in the city of Mysore, India. It is the only company in India authorised to produce indelible ink, which is used in elections to prevent people from voting multiple times. The ink is also exported to countries like Thailand, Singapore, Nigeria, Malaysia and South Africa.
A lot goes into ensuring that we exercise our democratic rights with fear. So, it is important to go and vote.
