Important Vocabs
1.Overkill (noun) = excessive use, treatment, or action
Synonyms: Excess, superfluity
Antonyms: Moderation, necessity
2.Assuaged (verb) = made (an unpleasant feeling) less intense
Synonyms: Alleviated, mitigated
Antonyms: Aggravated, exacerbated
3.Malicious (adjective) = characterized by malice
Synonyms: Malevolent, spiteful
Antonyms: Benevolent, kind
4.Standalone (adjective) = capable of operating
or being used independently of other systems or components
Synonyms: Independent, self-contained
Antonyms: Dependent, integrated
5.Undergirded (verb) = provided support or a firm basis for
Synonyms: Supported, reinforced
Antonyms: Weakened, undermined
6.Suffice (verb) = be enough or adequate
Synonyms: Satisfy, meet
Antonyms: Lack, fall short
7.Pronouncement (noun) = a formal or
authoritative announcement or declaration
Synonyms: Declaration, statement
Antonyms: Retraction, silence
Read The Passage Carefully And Answer The Questions Given Below
The introduction of the Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT), a supplementary system linked to the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM), along with the counting of VVPAT tallies from five random polling booths in each Assembly constituency, was implemented in an effort to address concerns about the transparency of the electoral process. However, critics argue that maintaining a machine audit trail of all executed commands beyond just recording votes in the EVMs and printed slips in VVPATs could enhance transparency and mitigate potential vulnerabilities.
Some suggest that while VVPATs have introduced new security measures, they may also have introduced vulnerabilities not present in standalone EVMs. Addressing these concerns requires reworking safeguards to ensure that VVPAT-combined systems are as secure as standalone EVMs. However, some political parties, including the Congress, advocate for a 100% recount of all VVPATs to ensure full transparency, prompting the Supreme Court of India to address related petitions.
Despite fears of malpractice and EVM hacking, there has been no concrete evidence of tampering with EVMs. While EVMs have experienced glitches, these issues have been promptly addressed, and claims of susceptibility to hacking lack substantiation. The sample counting of VVPATs during elections has revealed minimal discrepancies between VVPAT recounts and EVM counts, typically attributed to minor errors. Increasing the sample size of recounts or adjusting the recount criteria based on the margin of victory could enhance statistical significance without necessitating a full recount, which many view as excessive and indicative of mistrust in the EVM system itself.
summarization
The implementation of the Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) system, along with counting VVPAT tallies from select polling booths, aimed to enhance transparency in Indian elections. However, critics advocate for maintaining a comprehensive machine audit trail and reworking safeguards to address potential vulnerabilities. While some call for a full recount of all VVPATs to ensure transparency, others argue that existing measures are sufficient. Despite concerns about malpractice and hacking, no concrete evidence has been presented. Minor discrepancies between VVPAT recounts and EVM counts have been attributed to errors, prompting suggestions to adjust recount criteria without resorting to full recounts. Overall, there is ongoing debate regarding the efficacy and trustworthiness of the electoral process.
Questions based on the passage
- What is the purpose of introducing the Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) system?
a) To enhance security measures in electronic voting machines (EVMs)
b) To address concerns about transparency in the electoral process
c) To replace standalone EVMs with a more advanced technology
d) To minimize glitches in the voting system - How many random polling booths’ VVPAT tallies are counted in each Assembly constituency?
a) 1
b) 3
c) 5
d) 10 - What do critics argue could enhance transparency in the electoral process?
a) Maintaining a comprehensive machine audit trail
b) Increasing the number of polling booths
c) Implementing stricter voter identification measures
d) Introducing online voting options - What concern do some critics raise regarding the use of VVPATs?
a) They introduce new security measures
b) They increase the reliability of EVMs
c) They may introduce vulnerabilities not present in standalone EVMs
d) They decrease the likelihood of errors in the voting process - Which political party advocates for a 100% recount of all VVPATs?
a) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
b) Congress
c) Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)
d) Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)) - What is the primary reason behind the Supreme Court of India’s involvement in addressing petitions related to VVPAT recounts?
a) Concerns about malpractice and EVM hacking
b) Pressure from political parties
c) Lack of transparency in the electoral process
d) Increased glitches in electronic voting systems - What is the status of concrete evidence regarding tampering with EVMs?
a) Concrete evidence has been presented
b) No concrete evidence has been presented
c) Concrete evidence is still being investigated
d) Concrete evidence is not relevant to the issue - What is the typical outcome of sample counting of VVPATs during elections?
a) Significant discrepancies between VVPAT recounts and EVM counts
b) Minimal discrepancies between VVPAT recounts and EVM counts
c) VVPAT recounts consistently match EVM counts
d) VVPAT recounts are not conducted during elections - What is one suggested solution to enhance the statistical significance of VVPAT recounts?
a) Decrease the sample size of recounts
b) Adjust recount criteria based on voter turnout
c) Increase the sample size of recounts
d) Eliminate recounts altogether - Why do some view a full recount of all VVPATs as excessive?
a) It undermines the effectiveness of the electoral process
b) It suggests a lack of trust in the EVM system
c) It increases the likelihood of tampering with VVPATs
d) It does not provide any additional transparency in the voting process
Answers:
| MCQ | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. | To address concerns about transparency in the electoral process (b) |
| 2. | 5 (c) |
| 3. | Maintaining a comprehensive machine audit trail (a) |
| 4. | They may introduce vulnerabilities not present in standalone EVMs (c) |
| 5. | Congress (b) |
| 6. | Concerns about malpractice and EVM hacking (a) |
| 7. | No concrete evidence has been presented (b) |
| 8. | Minimal discrepancies between VVPAT recounts and EVM counts (b) |
| 9. | Increase the sample size of recounts (c) |
| 10. | It suggests a lack of trust in the EVM system (b) |
