Q4 · UPSC current affairs · 2 September 2026 · News · Totaliser Machines in Elections

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Which one of the following best describes the main purpose of deploying a 'Totaliser' mechanism during the vote-counting process?

A To speed up vote counting by replacing EVM control units with optical scanners.
B To protect voter identity at the polling station level by aggregating votes across multiple EVMs before counting.
C To allow voters to verify that their vote was cast correctly via a paper printout.
D To automatically re-count votes in constituencies where the margin of victory is less than one percent.

Correct answer: (b) To protect voter identity at the polling station level by aggregating votes across multiple EVMs before counting.

Explanation

Option B is correct: A Totaliser aggregates votes across multiple EVM control units before counting, preventing intimidation or retribution by ensuring candidates do not know how specific individual polling stations voted. Options A, C, and D do not describe a Totaliser.

Same topic · past papers

UPSC has asked this before

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  5. 2017 · Q90 · General Studies · 2 marks

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