29-November-2024-Editorial

ELECTRONIC VOTING MACHINES (EVMS) AND VOTER VERIFIABLE PAPER AUDIT TRAIL (VVPAT)

The Supreme Court recently dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking the return of ballot papers over Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) systems. The court emphasized that EVMs are questioned mainly after electoral defeats and upheld their security and efficiency.

What is the Controversy Surrounding EVMs?

Allegations of Tampering:

• Political parties often raise concerns of EVM tampering, especially after losing elections.
• Key instances include allegations in the 2009 General Elections, 2019 Lok Sabha Elections, and the 2020 Assembly Elections in five states.

Responses:

• Election Commission (EC): EC consistently defends EVMs as reliable, supported by expert studies showing they cannot be hacked or tampered with.
• Supreme Court (SC): The SC ruled that EVMs have strong safeguards, rejecting the demand to return to ballot papers.

About EVMs and VVPATs

EVMs:

• Portable devices used in elections for parliament, state legislatures, and local bodies.
• Operate with two components:

1. Control Unit (CU): Managed by polling officers.
2. Ballot Unit (BU): Placed in voting compartments for voters to cast their votes.

VVPAT:

• Provides a printed slip showing the vote details (candidate name, symbol, serial number) visible to voters for seven seconds.
• Helps ensure transparency by storing these slips in a sealed box for verification.

Evolution of EVMs in India

• 1977: Conceptualized by the Election Commission.
• 1982: First used in Kerala’s Parur by-election; legality challenged in court.
• 1988: Legalized through an amendment to the Representation of People Act (Section 61A).
• 2004: Nationwide use in Lok Sabha elections.
• 2013: Introduction of VVPAT in Nagaland by-election.
• 2019: Full implementation of VVPAT in Lok Sabha elections.

Safeguards Ensuring EVM Integrity

Technical Safeguards:

1. Standalone System: Operates without internet or wireless connectivity, ensuring immunity to remote tampering.
2. Secure Microcontrollers: Embedded with One-Time Programmable (OTP) chips that cannot be altered post-manufacture.
3. Tamper Detection: Advanced EVMs disable themselves if tampering is detected.
4. Manufacturing: Built only by trusted PSUs like BEL and ECIL.
5. VVPAT Verification: Displays vote details to voters and stores printed slips securely.

Administrative Protocols:

1. First-Level Check (FLC): EVMs are inspected, cleaned, and tested before use.
2. Randomized Allocation: Machines are randomly assigned to constituencies using software in the presence of EC observers.
3. Mock Polls: Conducted at multiple stages, including on polling day, to ensure functionality.
4. Secure Storage: Strongrooms under CCTV surveillance and armed guards store EVMs.
5. Counting Day Procedures: Random VVPAT slip verification in 5 polling stations per assembly constituency.

Advantages of EVM-VVPAT Over Ballot Papers

• Efficiency in Remote Areas: EVMs can operate without external power sources.
• Error-Free Voting: Ensures no invalid votes, unlike paper ballots prone to errors or misuse.
• Prevention of Booth Capturing: Limits the voting rate to four per minute, curbing mass fraudulent voting.
• Fast and Accurate Counting: Speeds up vote tallying while eliminating human errors.
• Enhanced Transparency: VVPAT enables voter verification and ensures accountability.
• Protection Against Pre-Programming: Candidate details are loaded after nominations, preventing pre-election tampering.

Challenges and Concerns

• Public Perception: Allegations, though often unsubstantiated, erode voter confidence.
• Limited Awareness: Voters may not fully understand EVM mechanisms and safeguards.
• Technological Dependence: Reliance on technology raises questions about contingency measures in case of malfunction.

Conclusion

EVMs with VVPAT have modernized India’s electoral process, ensuring speed, transparency, and accuracy. While controversies persist, robust technical and administrative measures safeguard their integrity. Continued public awareness and transparent processes can further strengthen trust in EVMs, reinforcing India’s democratic values.