Page 36 - MANN KI BAAT (English)

The Evolution of the

Voting Process in India

India, the world’s largest democracy, has seen
its voting process evolve significantly over the
decades. Here's a timeline capturing the key
milestones:

1951-52: The First General Elections
India’s first general elections marked the
beginning of its democratic journey. Voters From Ballot Boxes to Electronic Voting Machines
cast their votes using ballot boxes, where ballot
papers were manually dropped into sealed
boxes designated for each candidate, identified
by their election symbol.

1962: Introduction of the Marking System
From the 3rd General Elections in 1962, the Election
Commission introduced the marking system of voting.
Voters used a common ballot paper listing the names and
symbols of all candidates. They marked their choice using
an arrow cross-mark rubber stamp, and the marked ballots
were then placed into a common ballot box.

2019: Full VVPAT
Coverage
For the 2019 General Elections,
VVPAT machines were
deployed alongside EVMs in
all constituencies, ensuring
greater voter confidence in
the electoral process.

Future Innovations
The Election Commission continues exploring new
technologies like remote voting systems and blockchain-
based voting to make elections even more inclusive and
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accessible for India’s vast and diverse population.