The EVM Controversy
Electronic Voting Machines
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So as from the heading it is clear that we are going to discuss the controversy of using Electronic Voting Machine in India. Before that let us just see some relevant information.
What is an Electronic Voting Machine?
As we all know, an Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) is an electronic device used for recording votes polled during the election.
EVM has two parts, it consists of a ‘control unit’ and a ‘balloting unit’, connected by a 5-metre cable. The control unit is with the Election Commission-appointed polling officer; the balloting unit is in the voting compartment into which the voter enters to cast the vote in secret by pressing the button against the name and symbol of the candidate of her choice. The control unit is the EVM’s ‘brain’ — the balloting unit is turned on only after the polling officer presses the ‘Ballot’ button on it. The EVM runs on a 6-volt single alkaline battery fitted in the control unit, and can even be used in areas that have no electricity.
The control unit is key: it stores data and contains the programme that controls the EVM’s functioning. This programme is fused into a microchip that can be neither altered nor overwritten. After voting, the close button is pressed and the machine disabled so it can’t accept any new data. Votes are matched with total votes polled as recorded in booth register. India’s EVM is a standalone device not connected to any network.
Which Countries use EVM?
Several countries have tried electronic approaches and stopped, because of difficulties or concerns about security and reliability. Polling place electronic voting or Internet voting examples have taken place in Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Estonia, France, Germany, India, Italy, Namibia, the Netherlands, Norway, Peru, Switzerland, the UK, Venezuela, and the Philippines.
Pros and Cons (in general)
1) Pros
- If it works well, its speed can be an advantage where there are many contests on each ballot.
- It saves paper and hence helps to protect the environment.
2) Cons
- Electronic voting requires capital spending every few years to update equipment, as well as annual spending for maintenance, security and supplies.
- Several countries have tried electronic approaches and stopped, because of difficulties or concerns about security and reliability.
Who invented the EVM in India?
- MB Haneefa invented the first Indian voting machine in 1980.
Where was the EVM first used in India?
- The EVMs were first used in 1982 in the by-election to North Paravur Assembly Constituency in Kerala for a limited number of polling stations. In 2003, all by-elections and state elections were held using EVMs, encouraged by this election commission decided to use only EVMs for Lok Sabha elections in 2004.
The First Major Statement Against the Usage of EVMs
2009 Lok Sabha elections: Following the results of the Lok Sabha polls, LK Advani in July 2009 alleged that the EVMs were not ‘foolproof’ to which a number of political parties agreed and highlighted the ‘vulnerability’ of these machines. Advani also suggested that the Election Commission revert to ballot papers considering the malfunctioning of EVMs. Support for Advani’s claims was found within the party by the then Leader of Opposition Arun Jaitley, among other parties such as the Left and the BSP. BJP even demanded an all-party meet to discuss the issue.
After which this has been a regular story after the results by the losing parties even to the most recent election.
Current Problem / My Opinion
Parties have been blaming the EVMs for their defeat for quite some time but there is a growing concern as the claim of rigged EVMs are only increasing with each election. Now it has become even more prevalent as a single party is winning in many of the states and even contradicting with the exit polls of 100s of news media and other independent bodies.
The major opposition party, The Indian National Congress (INC), has been accusing of fraud election and rigged EVMs since 2014 and more and more parties have joined them in accusing the EVM. This is not only by INC but also by the current ruling party, Bharatiya Janata Party(BJP) when they were the opposition.
However, even with all these allegations of fraud and rigged elections from all side the ruling party, the Election Commission of India, The Judicial system all argue that EVMs cannot be rigged or influenced as it is a simple counting device and is not connected to any network.
All this assurance provided by the govt., Judiciary and Election commission is being denied by many of the major political parties and NGOs. Some of the parties like the Aam Aadmi Party, who is the current ruling party in Delhi (Union territory and not the national government) have gone to the extent of demonstrating "How easy it is to manipulate the EVM" in the legislative assembly.
Even though the Election commission claims that it is just a prototype and approved for the use for election the fact that it is possible further instil a sense of doubt among the people.
Also, the facts that a single party has a clear majority after a long time and banning of the use of EVMs by many of the developed democratic countries have also helped the non-ruling parties to establish their claim further into the minds of the people
Solution to the EVM Controversy!
There is no perfect solution for this issue and any form of the solution will involve in trade-offs. If we want to continue to use EVM we will have to make it more secure and the election commission should prove that it is totally secure to the people to get their trust back. Or they could return to the ballot paper system where manipulation is much more difficult and will have more chances of leaving clues even if there is a rigged election.
What is your opinion on the matter? The comments section is always open!
Stay Safe! In the End, ENJOY READING!
-Joyal George joseph
(Original post: The Problems with the Usage of Electronic Voting Machine in India
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Wonderfully written
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