Question

Which among the following statement(s) is/are correct?

1. The NOTA symbol was designed by the National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad.

2. The first pilot implementation of VVPAT was in Goa in 2013.

3. The People’s Union for Civil Liberties led to the implementation of NOTA in India.

4. The first Lok Sabha elections saw the Indian National Congress win 364 seats.

• A. Only (1)
• B. Only (1 and 3)
• C. Only (1, 3, and 4)
• D. All of the above (1, 2, 3, and 4)

Answer 1

Answer:

C. Only (1, 3, and 4)

Indian Polity - Election Commission of India

• NOTA (None of the Above): The NOTA option was introduced in India following a Supreme Court order in 2013, based on a public interest litigation filed by the People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL). The objective was to allow voters to express their dissatisfaction with all candidates.
• VVPAT (Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail): VVPATs were first piloted in selected constituencies in the 2013 assembly elections in Nagaland. Goa was not the first state for its pilot implementation. The Election Commission of India is responsible for the procurement and implementation of VVPATs.
• Symbol Design: The NOTA symbol, a national flag with a cross over it, was designed by the National Institute of Design (NID), Ahmedabad. This design was finalized after extensive research and public consultation.
• First Lok Sabha Elections (1951-52): The first general elections to the Lok Sabha were held between October 1951 and February 1952. The Indian National Congress, led by Jawaharlal Nehru, secured a massive victory, winning 364 out of 489 seats contested. This established the dominance of the Congress party in the early years of independent India.
• Significance for Competitive Exams: Questions related to election symbols, technological advancements in elections (like VVPAT), and historical election results are common in competitive examinations. Understanding the genesis and evolution of these aspects is crucial for aspirants.