Electronic Voting Machines and How Does It Work

The Electronic Voting Machine is a microcontroller-based device used in elections to make them more efficient. It eliminates the chance of incorrect votes, maintains total security of voting data, and enables speedy and precise counting. The voting information saved in EVMs may be preserved for years and removed if required.

When there is just one candidate to choose from a large field of candidates, the electronic voting machine provides a trustworthy method of conducting the election. One post and one vote are all that the EVM is designed for.

Below we shall study what are Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and how does it work?

What are Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), and How does it work?

Voters have the choice of picking a candidate. If they don’t desire to vote for any candidates, voters may hit the None of the Above (NOTA) button on each EVM.

There are two elements to an EVM: the control unit and the voting unit. The control unit remains with the presiding officer or polling officer, and the voting unit is kept in the voting compartment. This is done to ensure you are who you say you are when you vote.

• The poll worker presses the ballot button rather than providing the voter with a piece of paper to mark. There will be a blue button and a list of candidate names and party symbols on the voting unit of the machine. By pressing the button next to the candidate’s name, voters may cast their ballot.
• A red light illuminates when a voter clicks the button next to a candidate’s logo and name. At the same time, there is a long beep that validates that a certain vote has been tallied.
• As soon as the voter enters the voting booth, the ballot unit will be turned on by the person.
• Press the blue button next to the symbol and name of the person you want to vote for on the ballot unit.
• You can hear a beep after the chosen applicant’s name, or symbol is illuminated in red.
• A ballot slip with the candidate’s name and symbol and the serial number will be provided to each voter.
• Only a new ballot number will unlock the EVM at that moment. Each voter only gets one vote with an electronic voting machine (EVMs).

Controversy about Electronic Voting Machines

There is various controversy about Electronic Voting Machines. They are as follows:

• Narendra Modi, running for the BJP, said that the electronic voting machine was not fair (EVM). People wanted to vote but couldn’t because there weren’t enough voter lists, criticised Mumbai. Some well-known people were among those who tried to vote but couldn’t.
• This is the first time anyone in public has questioned the Election Commission in this way. During the election, many hate speeches rose, so the Commission had to send out many notices. As a consultant for the organisation, K.J. Rao helped ensure that the 2005 elections in Bihar, a state known for violent elections, were free and fair.
• The strong stance of the Commission did not make things better. It said it was “not afraid of any political party” and set up a press conference to discuss its thoughts. He is the general secretary of a non-government organisation called the Foundation for Advanced Election Management, which former chief election commissioners started. He says that the press conference was not needed.
• “Electronic Voting Machines and Their Compliance with Democracy Principles” was mostly a technical issue, so the CCE dealt with it independently.

The Election Commission’s Response to Criticisms

Digitalisation’s invention of the electronic voting machine signalled the move from crude paper ballots and lengthy waits for results to a more reliable, safe, and secure method to conduct elections.

In contrast, each technology’s difficulties and change problems have unique solutions. Many political parties and people have called electronic voting machines (EVMs) into doubt. The Election Commission’s response to criticisms of these concerns has been a source of much controversy.

Some political parties prefer paper ballots because they allege that electronic voting machines (EVMs) were altered before the election.

According to research by technical experts, EVMs cannot be compromised, but the Election Commission disagreed.

Can EVMS be Hacked?

EVMs may be hacked in two ways: wirelessly and wired. Several cybercrimes and election professionals believe that hacking electronic voting machines (EVMs) is a tough operation, and modifying a machine rather than a network is required to hack an EVM. An EVM hacker needs physical access, which they can only get by working with the EC, the companies that make the electronic components for electronic devices, and the authorities who oversee the production of electronic devices.

Conclusion:

Other allegations of EVM tampering include the transfer of EVMs after votes have been polled without the EC’s essential security. In the eyes of some, this is an attempt to replace a fake electronic voting machine with the real thing. According to the ECI, all EVMs are housed in secure rooms monitored by CCTV cameras and guarded by CAPF security 24 hours a day. Because they are kept in case other EVMs in circulation fail, many of the EVMs found to have been relocated without sufficient protection are known as “reserved EVMs.”