Question

Which of the following statements are correct regarding NOTA and VVPAT?

1. NOTA was made mandatory in India by a Supreme Court ruling in 2013.

2. The first country to implement NOTA was Bangladesh.

3. VVPAT was first used in all assembly constituencies in Goa in 2017.

4. If NOTA receives the most votes, the candidate with the second-highest votes is declared the winner.

• A. 1, 3, and 4 only
• B. 1, 2, and 3 only
• C. 2 and 4 only
• D. 1, 2, 3, and 4

Answer 1

Answer:

A. 1, 3, and 4 only

NOTA (None of the Above)

• Supreme Court Mandate: The introduction of the NOTA option in India was a result of a Supreme Court of India ruling in the case of People's Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) v. Union of India in 2013. The court directed the Election Commission of India to include NOTA in EVMs to allow voters to express their dissatisfaction with all candidates.
• Purpose of NOTA: NOTA empowers voters to reject all contesting candidates without casting a vote for any of them. This serves as a 'right to reject' and can be a tool for political parties and candidates to understand voter sentiment.
• International Context: While NOTA was introduced in India in 2013, it's important to note that the concept of 'none of the above' voting options has existed in other countries prior to this. For instance, Latin American countries like Brazil have had similar provisions for a longer period. Bangladesh, however, has not been the first to implement NOTA.
• Impact of NOTA: A crucial point for exams is that if NOTA secures the highest number of votes in a constituency, it does not result in the candidate with the second-highest votes being declared the winner. The election process continues as usual, and the candidate who secures the most valid votes (excluding NOTA) is declared elected. The NOTA vote does not influence the outcome in terms of declaring a winner.

VVPAT (Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail)

• What is VVPAT?: VVPAT is an independent system attached to the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) that allows voters to verify that their vote has been recorded correctly. After a vote is cast, a paper slip is printed by the VVPAT, which is visible to the voter for a few seconds through a transparent window before it drops into a sealed ballot box.
• Enhancing Transparency: VVPAT adds a layer of transparency and accountability to the EVM voting process, allowing for manual verification of votes in case of disputes or recounts.
• Implementation in India: VVPAT was first introduced on a pilot basis in select constituencies. Its widespread use across all assembly constituencies in Goa in the 2017 Assembly elections marked a significant step towards its nationwide adoption. The Election Commission of India has been progressively implementing VVPAT in more elections since then.