Electronic Voting Machine (EVM), Voting Process in India, Model

Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) is a device used to record votes during elections. India first used EVMs in the Paravur Assembly Constituency of Kerala in 1982. The Election Commission of India gradually expanded their use from 1998. All state elections and by-elections used EVMs in 2003. Since the 2004 Lok Sabha elections, EVMs have been the standard voting system across the country. The system aims to improve accuracy, speed, transparency and efficiency in the electoral process.

What is an EVM (Electronic Voting Machine)?

An Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) is a portable microcontroller based voting system developed by the Technical Experts Committee of the Election Commission of India with BEL and ECIL. It consists of a Control Unit and a Ballot Unit connected by a cable. The polling officer operates the Control Unit, while the voter presses the blue button on the Ballot Unit against the preferred candidate and symbol to record the vote electronically.

Electronic Voting Machine Features

The major features of the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) has been listed below:

• Development: EVMs were designed by the Technical Experts Committee (TEC) with Bharat Electronics Limited under the Ministry of Defence and Electronics Corporation of India Limited under the Department of Atomic Energy.
• Model: Presently, the M3 Model consists of a Ballot Unit (BU), Control Unit (CU) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT).
• Voting Process: The polling officer activates the ballot from the Control Unit. The voter presses the blue button beside the candidate’s name and symbol on the Ballot Unit to cast the vote.
• Stand alone architecture: EVMs are not connected to any network and do not use an operating system. This design prevents remote access or external communication.
• Programming: The machines use one time programmable or masked microchips that cannot be read, rewritten, or reprogrammed after manufacturing.
• Voting Capacity: One EVM can record up to 2,000 votes. Generally, around 1,500 votes are recorded during actual polling for operational efficiency.
• Candidate Capacity: Each Ballot Unit supports 16 candidates including NOTA. Up to 24 Ballot Units can be linked, allowing a maximum of 384 candidates including NOTA in the M3 model.
• Counting and Control Features: Pressing the “TOTAL” button displays total votes polled without revealing candidate wise results. After the “CLOSE” button is pressed, no further voting is possible.

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Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT)

Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) is an independent verification system attached to the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM). It enables voters to confirm that their vote has been correctly recorded.

• Introduction: VVPAT was first used in the 2013 bye-election of Noksen Assembly Constituency in Nagaland. It was deployed in all constituencies during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
• Working Mechanism: After voting, a paper slip displaying the serial number, candidate name and symbol remains visible through a transparent window for 7 seconds before automatically dropping into a sealed box.
• Access and security: Only authorised polling officials can access the VVPAT unit. The printed slips remain sealed and are preserved for verification whenever legally required.

Electronic Voting Machine Significance

The key highlighting importance and advantages of the Electronic Voting Machine has been listed below:

• Battery operated machine: EVMs do not require electricity. They run on independent battery power, making them suitable for remote and electricity deficient polling stations.
• Anti booth capturing safeguard: EVMs permit a maximum of four votes per minute, reducing the possibility of large scale bogus voting through booth capturing.
• Faster election results: Electronic counting significantly reduces counting time. Results can generally be declared within a few hours instead of taking several days.
• Cost savings: EVMs reduce expenditure on paper, printing, transportation, storage and distribution because millions of ballot papers are no longer required for every election.
• Enhanced transparency: VVPAT enables voters to verify their vote immediately. Under Rule 56D of the Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961, VVPAT slips can be counted in specified situations and VVPAT count prevails in case of any discrepancy.

Electronic Voting Machine Challenges

Despite multiple safeguards, Electronic Voting Machines continue to face public debate regarding transparency and reliability in the electoral process as highlighted below:

• Transparency: Critics argue that the internal functioning of EVMs is not fully visible to the public, leading to demands for greater verification and independent scrutiny.
• Reliability: Concerns are occasionally raised regarding hardware failure or technical malfunction, although failed machines are replaced and examined under established procedures.
• Trust deficit: Some political parties and voters continue to seek additional safeguards, including wider VVPAT verification, despite existing technical and administrative protections.
• ADR petition: In 2023, the Association for Democratic Reforms requested a return to paper ballots, voter handling of VVPAT slips and 100% VVPAT counting. In 2024, the Supreme Court rejected these requests while introducing measures to strengthen confidence through stricter verification.