EVM Controversy in India- EVMs
or electronic voting machines provides the voter with a button for each
choice which is connected by a cable to an electronic ballot box.
An EVM consists
of two units–control unit and balloting unit–and these two are connected
by a five-meter cable. When a voter presses a button against the candidate
he/she wishes to vote for, the machine locks itself. This EVM can be opened
only with a new ballot number. This way, EVMs ensure that one person gets to
vote only once.
When were EVMs
first used in elections?
The use of EVM
started back in 1982 Kerala Assembly elections. Prior to this only ballot
papers and ballot boxes were allowed.
Issue s--Why
EVM are in controversy?
1.
The only way an EVM can be tampered with is by physically
opening it up and replacing the chipset inside it. The chipset used is
non-reprogrammable and data is ‘burnt’ into the device. So, today it is possible
to replace the chip if we have access to EVMs.
2.
On the VVPAT (voter verifiable paper audit trail)
front too, there are reports of malfunctioning. Also, as per the rules, paper
ballots and VVPAT machines are not counted until the Returning Officer asks for
it.
Why is India
using EVMs?
·
Using EVMs means doing away with paper ballots, and in
turn, saving millions of trees from being cut.
·
It makes the entire process of voting simpler-a click
on the button and your vote is registered.
·
EVMs, in the long-run, have turned out to be
cost-effective as well.
·
These machines don’t require electricity and run on
batteries.
·
At the same time, the EVMs are lighter and portable
compared to the huge ballot boxes.
·
And most importantly, EVMs have made the vote-counting
process much faster, delivering results in hours as against manual counting of
votes which could take days.
Why to support
EVM?
1.
EVMs led to a significant decline in electoral fraud,
particularly in politically sensitive States as rigging elections became
extremely expensive.
2.
Research has shown a link between luminosity and
growth rate, suggesting that EVMs contribute to development.
3.
EVMs empowered those from the weaker sections of
society who were victims of political or electoral violence. In particular,
women, lower castes, and those less educated were more likely to participate in
the electoral process when EVMs were used.
4.
EVMs made the electoral process more competitive.
5.
There has been a significant decline in the incidence
of re-election, and winning margins have reduced dramatically.
6.
Less time consuming.
Arguments that
are in favour of Paper Ballot
o Invariably
come across reports of malfunctioning EVMs.
o Reliability
of EVM lead to the trust issue where people want the previous system to be
worked.
Disadvantage
and Issues related to ----there
are problems of paper ballot.
o Transporting
them and guarding them is a problem.
o Ballot
boxes can be captured.
o Ghost
voters who did not exist voted for the parties.
o Credibility
as election frauds
o Time
consuming
Truth behind
tempering
EVM’s do not
have electricity, or internet connectivity. The only thing which it has a chip,
which is produced in a government own PSU.EVM can be tempered only when it is
opened and replace the chip. CHIPS can be replaced BUT ONLY IN LAB. However the
truth is that EVM chip can’t be replaced just like that
Conclusion-
Election commission finds it hard to maintain credibility, as controversy does
not seem to die. Election commission even kept an open challenge but none came
in front. VVPAT should be installed, or more awareness campaign should be promoted by government.
