EVM

EVM, also known as Electronic Voting Machine has been used since 1999 in elections. It is an automated way of voting and ensures a greater level of security and fairness. EVMs are used in both the State and General Elections in our country. Since EVM is used everywhere for polling, it is vital for the electors to know how the EVM works.

Advantages of EVMs

• EVMs are time-saving. They reduce the time taken for casting votes and also the time taken to count the votes and declare the results.

• It is easier to tamper with physical polling booth, but it is difficult to tamper with EVMs for vote manipulation.

• EVMs also save paper.

• Since EVMs run on batteries, they don't rely on electricity to operate.

• In a single constituency, EVMs can incorporate 64 candidates.

• The votes stored in EVMs can be stored for 10 years.

• EVMs prevent fraud since it is close to impossible to rig the machine.

• EVM also restricts 5 votes per minute.

• Recently an option of NOTA was introduced in EVMs so that the electors can cast their votes even if they do not favor any of the candidates.

The Design of EVMs

EVM has two units; the control unit and the balloting unit. A cable joins these units and the polling officer manages the control unit of EVM. The voting unit is kept inside the compartment for the voters to cast their votes secretively. Instead of issuing a ballot paper, the polling officer presses the ballot button so that the elector can cast his/her vote. The complete list of candidates is available on the machine with a blue button next to each candidate. The elector can press the button next to the candidate that they wish to vote for.

The machine can overcome the rampant electricity problems in the country. To ensure that the voting process is uninterrupted, the machines run on batteries manufactured by Electronics Corporation of India Limited, Hyderabad and Bharat Electronics Limited, Bangalore.

Security

• To cast your vote, your name must be present in the electoral roll and you must present your voter ID in the polling booth. The officer presses the button that allows you to vote. You can enter the polling compartment and then cast your vote. After pressing the button, your vote is recorded. Pressing the button multiple times doesn't change the response. This ensures that one person can cast only a single vote.

• After everyone has cast their vote, the officer presses the button labeled Close. The EVM doesn't record any votes after this. Then the balloting unit is controlling unit and these units are kept separately.

• The presiding officer gives the recorded votes to each polling agent. If the number of votes doesn't tally, re-election is announced. If they tally, the Results button is pressed so that the result is displayed on the screen.

• Another safety measure to prevent anyone from pressing the Result button before the counting finishes, the Result button cannot be pressed until the Close button is pressed.

• EVMs have additional security like CCTV Coverage, transport under armed guards and 24x7 protection with an armed police guard.

Limitations

If someone's preferred language is English, then they may face difficulty. The voter must be familiar with the symbols of the candidate that they wish to vote for. The name of candidates are placed alphabetically and they appear in the regional language. Each ballot can accommodate only 16 candidates. Multiple ballot units can be linked together to accommodate a larger number of candidates. The total number of votes that can be recorded in an EVM is 3840.