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Electronic Voting Machines (EVM)

• Electronic voting machines, or EVMs, allow voters to select a candidate by pressing a button. It is connected to an electronic voting machine by a cable. 

• It is divided into two sections: the control unit and the voting unit. There is a 5-meter cable between them. 
  
  
• A fixed 6-volt, the one-alkaline battery powers the EVM. 
  
  
• Even without electricity, it can be used there.
  
  
• The Election Commission chooses the polling officer with the control unit. 
  
  
• The Balloting Unit is located in the voting area, where voters enter to secretly cast their ballots by pressing buttons next to the names and signs of the candidates they wish to support.

• Electricity is not required for EVMs.

• A typical electronic Corporation of India Limited or Bharat Electronics Limited battery powers EVMs.

• Maximum Number of Votes

• The Election Commission of India uses EVMs that can only record up to 2,000 votes.

• Maximum Number of Candidates

• A maximum of 64 candidates, including NOTA, can be accommodated by M2 EVMs (2006–2010).
• The maximum number of candidates who can use M3 EVMs (Post-2013) is 384, including NOTA.

• Who was the EVM's creator?

The Technical Experts Committee (TEC) of the Election Commission, in collaboration with two Public Sector Organizations, designed the EVMs;

• Bharat Electronics Ltd, Bangalore and Electronic Corporation of India Ltd., Hyderabad.
• The two businesses mentioned above produce EVMs.

What is the Indian EVM's history?

• The first Indian voting machine dubbed the "Electrically Operated Vote the Counting Machine," was created by M. B. Haneefa in 1980.
• The first time the EVMs were used was in the 1982 by-election for the North Paravur Assembly Constituency in Kerala for a specific number of polling places.
• The Election Commission of India, in collaboration with Electronics Corporation of India Limited, introduced the EVMs in 1989.
• EVMs were used experimentally in 16 assembly districts in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and the NCT of Delhi in 1998.
• The nation used EVMs to vote in the 2004 Lok Sabha election.
• Voter-verified paper audit trail (VVPAT) functionality was added to the new generation of electronic voting machines in 2011.
• The EC plans to use VVPAT-equipped EVMs for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT):

• A separate system connected to the electronic voting machines (EVMs) called the voter-verifiable paper audit trail (VVPAT) enables voters to confirm that their votes were cast as intended.
• With the assistance of the manufacturer's engineers, serial numbers, candidate names, and symbols assigned to them are loaded into the VVPAT unit.
• A slip is printed with the candidate's name, symbol, and serial number when a vote is cast, and it is visible for 7 seconds through a clear window.
• This printed slip is automatically cut and dropped into the VVPAT's secure drop box.
• In a bye-election for Nagaland's Noksen Assembly Constituency, VVPATs with EVMs were used for the first time. 
• As long as the election petition period is open, the VVPATs and EVMs are kept together in a safe, strong room.

 Benefits of using EVMs

• The possibility of casting "Invalid Votes" is eliminated.
• EVMs have made a more genuine and accurate reflection of the electorate's choice possible.
• Millions of ballots do not need to be printed for each election when using EVMs. 
• By way of the cost of paper, printing, transportation, storage, and distribution, this results in significant savings.
• Compared to the conventional Ballot paper system, which typically requires 30 to 40 hours to complete, the counting process is very quick, and the results can be announced in 3 to 5 hours.
• To aggregate votes without disclosing the candidate-wise total of each EVM used at a particular polling place, a device known as a "Totalizer" can hold up to 14 Control Units at once.
• However, totalizers are not used in India at the moment because a legal dispute focuses on their technical aspects and other relevant issues.
• Protecting the privacy and temporary memory
• The outcome can be kept in the control unit's memory until the data is removed or cleared.
• Make sure the election is safe, secure, and fair.
• A one-time programmable/masked chip is used in EVMs; it cannot be read or overwritten. 
• It is not possible to reprogramme the EVM software in a specific way.
• Since the EVMs are independent computers without an operating system, no network with external devices can access them.
• There is zero chance that electronic voting machines (EVMs) could be programmed to favor any particular candidate or political party.

When it comes to ensuring the credibility of Indian elections in light of EVMs, the Election Commission of India (ECI) faces a number of obstacles, including:

• Protection of EVM security:
• The potential for tampering with and hacking EVMs is among the main issues.
• To make sure that the EVMs are safe and untampered with, the ECI must take appropriate measures. 
• This includes software and hardware security measures, such as keeping the machines in a secure location and using encryption and other security protocols.
• Increasing stakeholder trust 
• Another challenge is developing trust among participants, such as political parties, candidates, and voters. 
• In order to use EVMs effectively, the ECI must be open and transparent about how the devices operate and are secured. 
• Additionally, the ECI is required to respond promptly and transparently to complaints and concerns from stakeholders.
• Fixing technical problems 
• Due to their electronic nature, EVMs are prone to malfunctions. 
• The machines must be properly maintained and regularly inspected for any technical problems, according to the ECI. 
• A backup strategy must be in place for the ECI in the event of any technical difficulties. 
• Making sure inclusivity and accessibility: 
• All voters, including those with disabilities, must be able to use and understand electronic voting machines. 
• No matter the voter's age or level of technical expertise, the ECI must ensure the machines are user-friendly and simple to use.
• Conducting post-election audits: 
• The ECI must audit the EVMs after the election to ensure the legitimacy of the electoral process. 
• As part of this, the accuracy of the voting machines is confirmed, as well as a comparison of the electronic results with actual ballots. 

In terms of EVMs, the ECI must overcome a number of obstacles to ensure the credibility of elections in India. The ECI can address these issues and guarantee that the elections in India are free, fair, and transparent by taking the proper security precautions and being transparent and accountable.

Related question :

In light of the recent controversy regarding the use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVM), what are the challenges before the Election Commission of India to ensure the trustworthiness of elections in India? (UPSC: Mains - 2018)