Question

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

1. NOTA was made mandatory in India by the Supreme Court on September 27, 2013, following advocacy by the People's Union for Civil Liberties.

2. If NOTA receives the most votes in an election, the candidate with the second-highest number of votes is declared the winner.

3. VVPAT was first used in all assembly constituencies of Himachal Pradesh in 2017.

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

Answer 1

Answer:

A. 1 and 2 only

NOTA (None of the Above)

• Supreme Court Mandate: The Supreme Court of India, in a landmark judgment on September 27, 2013, directed the Election Commission of India to include the NOTA option in all electronic voting machines (EVMs). This was in response to a public interest litigation filed by the People's Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL).
• Purpose of NOTA: The NOTA option allows voters to express their dissatisfaction with all the candidates contesting an election without abstaining from voting. It upholds the democratic right to reject.
• Impact of NOTA Votes: If NOTA secures the highest number of votes in an election, it does not result in the declaration of the candidate with the second-highest votes as the winner. Instead, it signifies a widespread rejection of all available candidates. The election rules in India do not provide for a re-election or the victory of the runner-up in such a scenario. The elected body would typically consist of candidates who secured fewer votes than NOTA.
• Electoral Reforms: The introduction of NOTA is considered a step towards electoral reforms, aiming to encourage greater transparency and accountability from political parties and candidates.

VVPAT (Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail)

• What is VVPAT?: VVPAT is an independent system attached to the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). It allows voters to verify that their vote has been recorded as intended.
• How it Works: After a voter presses the button on the EVM to cast their vote, a paper slip is printed by the VVPAT machine. This slip contains the serial number, name, and symbol of the candidate chosen by the voter. The slip remains visible to the voter for a few seconds through a transparent window and then falls into a sealed drop box.
• Purpose of VVPAT: VVPAT serves as a crucial tool for ensuring the accuracy and transparency of the electoral process. It provides a physical record that can be used for auditing and verification if there are any disputes or challenges regarding the vote count.
• First Use in India: VVPAT was first used in a limited number of constituencies in bye-elections and general elections starting from 2014. However, its widespread implementation across all assembly constituencies of Himachal Pradesh occurred during the general assembly elections of 2017, following recommendations and court directives to enhance EVM accountability.
• Supreme Court on VVPAT: The Supreme Court has emphasized the importance of VVPAT and directed the Election Commission to increase the VVPAT slip count for verification.