Introduction of Electronic Voting Machine (EVM)
- India’s democratic process faced challenges like booth capturing, prompting the introduction of the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) in the Parur Assembly Constituency of Kerala in 1982.
- This pilot showcased immediate benefits, streamlining manpower needs, eradicating invalid votes, and expediting the counting process.
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Legislative Amendment and Nationwide Adoption
- An amendment to the Representation of the People Act, 1951, facilitated the widespread adoption of EVMs across India following a Supreme Court verdict concerning the Parur by-election.
- In 1988, this amendment paved the way for the comprehensive integration of EVMs into the electoral process.
- A significant milestone was reached in the 2004 Lok Sabha Elections when EVMs achieved 100 percent coverage, symbolizing progress in India’s democratic framework.
- In May 2001, EVMs were used in all constituencies for the state assembly elections in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Puducherry and West Bengal.
- EVM was developed by state-owned Electronics Corporation of India and Bharat Electronics.
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Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT)
- To enhance voter confidence, the Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail was introduced in 2013.
- This addition allows any voter to verify their recorded vote, with VVPAT slips counted for five randomly selected Polling Stations of each Assembly Constituency/Assembly Segment.
- Remarkably, since its introduction, there hasn't been a single instance of mismatch between the results of VVPAT and Control Unit (CU), underscoring the credibility of EVMs.
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Understanding the ECI-EVM System
- The Indian Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) system, also known as ECI-EVM, embodies devices exclusively tailored for elections under the Election Commission of India’s regulations.
- Comprising the Ballot Unit (BU), Control Unit (CU), and the later integrated Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT), ECI-EVMs ensure accuracy and efficiency in the electoral process.
- Recognizing the need for further transparency and accountability, the Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) emerged.
- Integrated with EVMs, VVPAT enables voters to confirm the accuracy of their ballots.
- A printed slip displays the candidate’s details, providing a tangible record for verification.
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Legal Framework and Implementation
- The Supreme Court’s decision in 2013 authorized the Election Commission to introduce VVPAT in phases, deeming it essential for fair elections.
- VVPATs were first utilized in the Noksen Assembly Constituency by-election in Nagaland in 2013.
- Since then, they have been employed in selected constituencies during General and State Legislative Assembly Elections, enhancing the credibility and transparency of the voting process.
- In 2019, the Supreme Court directed that a small percentage (2%) of the VVPATs shall be verified to ensure the reliability before certifying the final results.
The advantages of the EVM over the traditional ballot paper / ballot box system:
- It eliminates the possibility of invalid and doubtful votes which, in many cases, are the root causes of controversies and election petitions.
- It makes the process of counting of votes much faster than the conventional system.
- It reduces to a great extent the quantity of paper used thus saving a large number of trees making the process eco-friendly.
- It reduces cost of printing (almost nil) as only one sheet of ballot paper is required for each Polling Station.
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Comparison between EVMs and Conventional Paper Ballot System
- In the conventional paper ballot system, voters mark their choices on a printed paper ballot, indicating their preferred candidate by placing a mark in the designated space.
- After marking, the ballot paper is folded and deposited in a ballot box.
- During counting, only properly marked votes are considered, and manual counting is susceptible to errors and manipulation, often prolonging the process.
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Issues with Paper Ballot Voting
- Invalid Votes: Many votes become invalid due to improper marking or ink smudging.
- Ballot Box Vulnerability: Ballot boxes are prone to "stuffing with spurious votes" during booth capturing.
- Pre-marked Ballot Papers: Instances of voting with pre-marked ballot papers have been reported.
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Functioning of ECI-EVM System
- In the ECI-EVM system, the Control Unit (CU) is managed by the Presiding Officer, while the Ballot Unit(s) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) are placed inside the Voting Compartment.
- Instead of issuing paper ballots, the Polling Officer activates the electronic ballot by pressing the "Ballot Button" on the Control Unit.
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Casting Vote through EVMs
Voting Process:
- Voters cast their votes by pressing the "blue button" on the Ballot Unit against their chosen candidate.
- A red LED glows to indicate the selection.
- A paper slip displaying the candidate's details is generated and visible through a transparent window on the VVPAT for about 7 seconds.
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Verification:
- Voters can verify that their vote is cast as intended by observing the printed slip.
- The slip is then automatically cut and stored in a sealed drop box of the VVPAT.
Confirmation:
- A loud beep from the Control Unit confirms successful registration of the vote.
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Technical Knowledge Requirement
- No technical knowledge is required for casting a vote on the EVM.
- Ordinary citizens can easily participate in the voting process using ECI-EVMs, ensuring inclusivity and accessibility in the electoral process.
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Advantages of ECI-EVM Voting System
- Elimination of Invalid Votes: Voting through ECI-EVMs via button pressing eradicates the possibility of invalid votes, a common issue in the paper ballot system.
- Prevention of Booth Capturing: EVM technology combined with stringent administrative procedures has effectively eliminated booth capturing, rendering it futile even if attempted.
- Time Constraint on Voting: The EVM system restricts the number of votes to a maximum of four per minute, significantly prolonging the time required to cast a substantial number of votes.
- This delay provides ample opportunity for security forces to respond to any attempted booth capturing.
- Prevention of Post-Close Voting: Once the CLOSE button is pressed at the end of polling, no further votes can be cast, ensuring the integrity of the voting process.
- Quick and Error-Free Vote Counting: ECI-EVMs ensure swift and accurate counting of votes, free from errors and manipulation, leading to a more efficient electoral process.
- Instant Verification for Voters: Through the Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT), voters can immediately verify that their votes have been accurately cast, enhancing trust and confidence in the electoral system.
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Key Features of EVMs/VVPATs:
- Unique Serial Number: Each unit possesses a distinct serial number stored in its memory, matching the laser-marked number and barcode on its rear side.
- Real Time Clock (RTC): Embedded in the Control Unit (CU), the real-time clock displays the current date and time upon unit activation.
- Malfunctions are indicated as 'CLOCK ERROR.'
- Battery Status: EVMs operate on a specialized power pack, with the battery status displayed on the CU screen upon power ON.
- A 'CHANGE BATTERY' message appears when the battery is low.
- Print Capability: Poll data results can be printed, if necessary.
- Mutual Authentication: CU, BU, and VVPAT feature robust mutual authentication capabilities, preventing unauthorized device connections.
- Power Saving Mode: Units enter power-saving mode when idle, extending battery life.
- Braille Integration: Ballot Units feature moulded Braille numerals for visually impaired voters.
- Standalone System: EVMs operate independently, devoid of wired or wireless network connections.
- Unauthorized Access Detection Module (UADM): Embedded in the machine, UADM disables the EVM and destroys the digital certificate upon physical access attempts to the microcontroller or memory.
- Advanced Encryption Techniques: Encrypted communication between units ensures data security without proper decryption algorithms.
- Automated Self-Diagnostics: EVMs conduct self-health checks upon every power ON.
- Dynamic Key Press Coding: Key presses are dynamically coded, preventing signal decoding between Control Unit, Ballot Unit, and VVPAT.
- No Radio Frequency Transmission: EVMs lack radio frequency (RF) communication capability, ruling out tampering via wireless protocols like Bluetooth or WiFi.
- One-Time Programmable Microcontroller: EVM microcontrollers are one-time programmable, with application software programmed during manufacturing.
- Real-Time Clock for Event Stamping: Each key press is recorded with a date and time stamp in real-time.
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Indigenous Manufacturing by PSUs
- EVMs/VVPATs are not imported but meticulously designed and manufactured domestically by two distinguished Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs):
- Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) is operating under the Ministry of Defence, and Electronics Corporation of India Limited (ECIL) is functioning under the Department of Atomic Energy.
- This domestic production is conducted under the meticulous guidance of the Technical Experts Committee (TEC) established by the Election Commission of India.
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Capacity and Functionality
- The ECI-EVM system boasts a robust capacity, capable of recording a maximum of 2,000 votes per session.
- However, in practice, it typically accommodates around 1,500 votes.
- Each Ballot Unit is equipped to handle up to 16 candidates, inclusive of the None of the Above (NOTA) option.
- Remarkably, a single Control Unit has the capability to connect with up to 24 Ballot Units.
- It is forming an EVM set with the potential to cater to a maximum of 384 candidates, including NOTA.
- EVM and VVPAT do not require any external power supply.
- EVM and VVPAT run on their own battery/ power-packs supplied by Bharat Electronics Limited / Electronics Corporation of India Limited.
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