Why in news
The Election Commission (EC) has invited political parties to discuss strengthening the election process.
This is in wake of the allegations of manipulation of electoral rolls during the recently concluded assembly elections and issues raised with respect to duplicate Electoral Photo Identity Card (EPIC) numbers in different States.
What are the legal provisions?
Article 324 of the Constitution: Grants the Election Commission (EC) power over electoral rolls and election conduct.
Representation of the People Act, 1950 & Registration of Electors Rules, 1960: Govern the preparation of electoral rolls.
Voting Process
In the first two general elections of 1952 and 1957, a separate box was placed for each candidate with their election symbol.
Voters had to drop a blank ballot paper into the box of the candidate whom they wanted to vote for.
It is only from the third general election in 1962 that ballot papers with names and symbols of candidates was introduced.
Subsequently, since the 2004 general elections to the Lok Sabha, Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) have been used in all constituencies.
Since 2019, EVMs have been backed by 100% Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) slips in all constituencies.
What are the issues?
EVM/VVPAT Concerns:
Demands for reverting to paper ballots (rejected by the Supreme Court).
Demands for 100% VVPAT matching (currently 5 machines per constituency).
Supreme court has allowed for 5% of EVM microcontrollers to be checked, upon written request from the 2nd or 3rd placed candidate.
Electoral Roll Manipulation:
Allegations of fake voters added to electoral rolls (e.g., Maharashtra, Delhi).
Identical EPIC numbers across different states, raising concerns about duplicate voters.
Campaign Process Issues:
"Star Campaigners" using abusive language and communal appeals.
Candidates exceeding election expenditure limits.
No limits on political party spending.
Criminalization of politics, with a high percentage of elected MPs facing criminal charges.
What are the required reforms?
EVM/VVPAT Reforms:
Scientific determination of VVPAT matching sample size.
Full VVPAT count in a region if errors are found.
Introduction of "totaliser" machines for vote aggregation.
Enforcement of the supreme court direction for 5% of EVM microcontroller checks.
Electoral Roll Reforms:
Consider linking Aadhaar with EPIC cards after stakeholder discussions.
Eliminate duplicate voter ID numbers and ensure unique EPIC numbers.
Campaign Process Reforms:
EC authority to revoke "Star Campaigner" status for MCC violations.
Limits on political party spending during elections.
Strict enforcement of criminal antecedents declarations by candidates.
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