Which state used the EVM machine first time for voting?
VerifiedAnswer: Kerala (1982)
Explanation:
Kerala holds the distinction of being the first state in India to use Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) for conducting elections. This historic milestone took place in 1982 during a by-election in the Parur Assembly constituency of Ernakulam district.
The introduction of EVMs in Kerala was part of an experimental initiative by the Election Commission of India to modernize the voting process and make it more efficient. Before this groundbreaking moment, all elections in India were conducted using traditional paper ballots, which were time-consuming to count and prone to various practical challenges.
The EVM used in Kerala in 1982 was a basic version compared to today's sophisticated machines. It was developed jointly by two public sector undertakings - Electronics Corporation of India Limited (ECIL) and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL). The machine was designed to be user-friendly, reliable, and tamper-proof.
The success of this pilot project in Kerala paved the way for gradual adoption of EVMs across other states in India. However, it took several years before EVMs became the standard voting method nationwide. The Election Commission conducted extensive testing and improvements based on the Kerala experience before rolling out EVMs on a larger scale.
The advantages of EVMs became evident from this first implementation in Kerala. The machines significantly reduced the time required for vote counting, eliminated invalid votes due to unclear marking, and reduced the overall cost of conducting elections. Additionally, EVMs made the voting process more accessible for voters with visual impairments and reduced the chances of booth capturing.
Today, India is recognized globally for its efficient electronic voting system, and it all began with that pioneering step taken in Kerala over four decades ago. The state's willingness to embrace this technological innovation has contributed significantly to modernizing India's democratic process and ensuring faster, more accurate election results across the country.
