Electronic Voting Machine

• EVM is a simple and reliable equipment for use in electing a candidate from among many candidates
• It is portable and easy to operate
• It operates on a special Power Pack containing interconnected Batteries
• It is tamper-proof and error free
• The polling data once recorded is retained even when the power pack is removed

What is the Need?

• Modernises the election process
• Simple to operate and can be installed in a short time
• No scope for invalid votes
• Total secrecy of voting data
• Facilitates quick and accurate counting possible to declare results on the same day
• Re-usable by simply resetting the machine for the next election
• Huge expenditure involved in printing, storing and transportation of ballot papers is avoided

How does the voter use it?

• The process is basically the same as the present method
• The voter is identified, his/her signature obtained and indelible ink mark put on the index finger
• Instead of being given a ballot paper at this stage a ballot is released by pressing a button on the Control Unit
• The voter then proceeds to the Voting Compartment where the Balloting Unit is kept and votes in secrecy
• The balloting Unit has a conventional Ballot Paper (with names and symbols of the contestants) displayed and secured under a transparent protective cover
• The voter simply presses a button against the candidate of his/her choice
• A light adjacent to the button pressed glows red followed by a beep indicating the vote is recorded

How Are the Votes Counted?

• At the end of the poll, the Control Unit and Ballot Unit are switched off and sealed in separate carrying cases in the presence of the candidates or their agents
• They are then sent to secure storage centers till the day of the counting
• On the day of counting the Control Units are taken to the counting tables
• On pressing the “RESULT” button the Control Unit displays the following
  • Total No. of votes cast
  • Individual votes recorded against each of the candidates

Is It Fail Proof?

• The EVM has been specially designed to collect, record, store, count and display voting data cent per cent accurately
• All mechanical, electrical and software security features are provided to ensure the integrity of the voting data

Can it be tampered with or rigged?

• It is a state-of-the-art electronic instrument that cannot be tampered with
• It incorporates a microprocessor that has ‘burnt in’ software which cannot be altered or replaced
• In case of a booth capture, the presiding Officer can shutdown the EVM by pressing the “CLOSE” button
• No votes can be cast on that unit thereafter
• On resumption of voting, another EVM must be used to continue the poll