In which Lok Sabha elections did Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) fully replace ballot papers, marking the first time EVMs were used across all parliamentary constituencies in India?

The correct answer is 2004

In News

• EVMs were fully implemented in the 2004 Lok Sabha elections, replacing ballot papers nationwide.

Key Points

• The 2004 Lok Sabha elections were the first to use EVMs across all 543 parliamentary constituencies in India.
• EVMs were introduced to enhance voting efficiency, reduce errors, and prevent electoral fraud.
• The Election Commission of India (ECI) spearheaded the transition from ballot papers to EVMs.
• EVMs were piloted in select constituencies as early as 1982 but achieved nationwide deployment in 2004.

Additional Information

• Electronic Voting Machine (EVM)
  • Developed by the Election Commission of India in collaboration with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Electronics Corporation of India Limited (ECIL).
  • Comprises a Control Unit (managed by polling officers) and a Balloting Unit (used by voters).
• Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT)
  • Introduced in 2013 to provide a paper trail for EVM votes, enhancing transparency.
• First EVM Use
  • Tested in the 1982 Kerala Assembly elections (by-election in Paravur constituency).