Is the Indian EVM and VVPAT System Fit for Democratic Elections? Jan 2021 Report of The Citizens’ Commission on Elections

Modern India’s greatest pride is that it is not only the world’s largest, but because of the grassroots institutional mechanisms that we have built for the panchayat raj, is also the most vibrant democracy. It gives to every Indi-an the world’s largest number of elected representatives to ensure peoples’ participation in governance at the local, state and national levels. At the national level the institution of the Election Commission of India (ECI) is mandated to ensure that this participation is not only truly representative but also one of the world’s most free. . . . the ECI’s conduct of the parliamentary elections of 2019 had led to grave doubts about its fairness, which has always been its greatest strength. The Association for Democratic Reforms, the Constitutional Conduct Group of former civil servants and the Forum for Electoral Integrity were among the civil society groups that were constrained to invite public attention to what appeared to be the ECI’s shortcomings in living up to its mandate of neutrality. Many political parties, mainstream and digital media houses also joined in voicing serious apprehensions as to the manner in which the ‘model code of conduct’ was violated with impunity. The ECI neither responded to criticism or sought to defend itself when patent infirmities were specifically pointed out by responsible citizens with no effort to satisfy the critics, several of whom were retired officials them-selves, experienced in conducting elections. The Citizens’ Commission on Elections’ (CCE) came into being to go into critical aspects of the conduct of elections, call for expert advice where necessary and come up with appropriate suggestions. These are to be placed in the public domain for the consideration of Indian citizens who, at final call, should have the last word in India’s governance to ensure that elections are conducted as merit the proud Republic of India.

Read the full report of the Citizens’ Commission on Elections’ (CCE) on EVM and VVPAT System Fit for Democratic Elections? - Vol 1 Jan 2021

Is the Indian EVM and VVPAT System Fit for Democratic Elections? Report of The Citizens’ Commission on Elections - Vol1

January 2021