GK Question

polity hard mcq

The Election Commission's adoption of technology (EVMs, VVPAT, c-VIGIL app) enhances electoral integrity but faces challenges. Which challenge is MOST critical for ensuring inclusive, trustworthy elections?

  1. High cost of technology
  2. Digital divide excluding elderly, rural, disabled voters from technology-enabled processes
  3. Lack of political will for technological upgrades
  4. Excessive citizen demand for digital voting

Answer: Digital divide excluding elderly, rural, disabled voters from technology-enabled processes

Technology adoption challenges: (a) Digital divide: (i) Access gap: Rural areas, elderly, disabled voters may lack access to smartphones, internet for technology-enabled processes (c-VIGIL app, online voter services), (ii) Skills gap: Illiterate, digitally illiterate voters struggle with technology interfaces, (iii) Language gap: Technology platforms often English/Hindi dominant, excluding regional language speakers, (b) Other challenges: (i) Authentication issues: Biometric failures may deny services to manual laborers, elderly, (ii) Trust deficit: Voter skepticism about EVMs, digital processes requires continuous transparency, education, (iii) Infrastructure: Power supply, connectivity in remote areas affects technology reliability, (c) Mitigation strategies: (i) Inclusive design: Multi-language interfaces, accessibility features for disabled, offline alternatives, (ii) Voter education: Awareness campaigns on technology use, benefits, safeguards, (iii) Hybrid systems: Maintain paper-based alternatives alongside digital processes for inclusivity, (d) Constitutional principle: Inclusive governance requires ensuring technology doesn't exclude marginalized groups; technology as enabler, not barrier to democratic participation, (e) Illustrates adaptive electoral governance: ECI leverages technology for efficiency, transparency while addressing equity concerns through inclusive design, voter education, hybrid systems.

Topic Election Commission - Technology Adoption Challenges
Exam Relevance Technology adoption challenges critical for UPSC Mains and current affairs exams