EVMs used in India in 1982 in a by-election
India pioneered its usage 40 years ago
Its introduction has brought in a revolution
While India is celebrated as the world’s largest democracy, it is lesser-known that the nation also pioneered the mass deployment of electronic voting technology. In 1982, India introduced Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in a pilot project in Kerala’s North Paravur constituency, making it the first country to implement secure direct digital vote recording devices.
In this groundbreaking trial, 50 out of 84 polling stations used EVMs, marking a significant leap towards digital democracy. This initiative predated the widespread Information Technology revolution and set a global precedent. It wasn’t until nearly a decade later that the Netherlands became the second country to experiment with EVMs in the 1990s, as noted by the Atlantic Council, a US-based think tank.
The introduction of EVMs not only streamlined the voting process but also enhanced the transparency and accuracy of elections. This pioneering move underscores India’s commitment to leveraging technology for strengthening its democratic institutions, setting a benchmark for other nations to follow.
India’s early adoption and successful implementation of EVMs highlight its role as a trailblazer in digital democracy, reinforcing its position as a leader in innovative electoral practices.
EVMs used in India in 1982 in a by-election
India pioneered its usage 40 years ago
Its introduction has brought in a revolution
While India is celebrated as the world’s largest democracy, it is lesser-known that the nation also pioneered the mass deployment of electronic voting technology. In 1982, India introduced Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in a pilot project in Kerala’s North Paravur constituency, making it the first country to implement secure direct digital vote recording devices.
In this groundbreaking trial, 50 out of 84 polling stations used EVMs, marking a significant leap towards digital democracy. This initiative predated the widespread Information Technology revolution and set a global precedent. It wasn’t until nearly a decade later that the Netherlands became the second country to experiment with EVMs in the 1990s, as noted by the Atlantic Council, a US-based think tank.
The introduction of EVMs not only streamlined the voting process but also enhanced the transparency and accuracy of elections. This pioneering move underscores India’s commitment to leveraging technology for strengthening its democratic institutions, setting a benchmark for other nations to follow.
India’s early adoption and successful implementation of EVMs highlight its role as a trailblazer in digital democracy, reinforcing its position as a leader in innovative electoral practices.
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