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. In an attempt to amplify their pitch
against the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), the Opposition parties are set to send a joint memorandum
to the Election Commission demanding that the machines should be replaced at
the earliest with ballot paper.
The parties, in a draft memorandum
circulated among the signatories, demanded that a physical counter check of the
paper trail and matching it with electronic vote should happen mandatorily in
at least 50% of all EVMs.
It is an implement able reform
without any additional cost, they argued.
They also demanded that in case the
difference of votes cast in favour of the winning candidates and the one coming
second is less than five %, then there should be mandatory counting of the
Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) in every polling station of that
constituency.
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.
Why
EVM are in controversy?
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.
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?
EVMs
led to a significant decline in electoral fraud, particularly in politically
sensitive States as rigging elections became extremely expensive.
Research
has shown a link between luminosity and growth rate, suggesting that EVMs
contribute to development.
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.
EVMs
made the electoral process more competitive.
There
has been a significant decline in the incidence of re-election, and winning
margins have reduced dramatically. Less time-consuming process happens.
Arguments
that are in favour of Paper Ballot
Invariably
come across reports of malfunctioning EVMs. 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
Indian
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 as per election commissioner’s statement.
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
to temper with it. VVPAT should be installed, or more awareness campaign should
be promoted by government.
