Electronic Voting Machine : Election Backgrounder-6
General Elections 2004 is all set to make history by making ballot boxes a thing of the past. Nearly, 10,75,000 Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) will ‘digitise’ the poll outcome not only in all the parliamentary constituencies for the first time, but also in the assembly constituencies in the four States where elections are being held.
The Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) is a recent phenomenon in India. The Election Commission(EC) has utilised the services of two major industrial enterprises i.e., M/s. Electronics Corporation of India Limited (ECIL), Hyderabad and M/s. Bharat Electronics Limited(BEL), Bangalore, for the design and development of suitable versions of the EVMs. These machines were used for the first time during the General Elections to the Kerala Legislative Assembly held in May, 1982. To start with, EVMs were used in 50 polling stations of Parur Assembly Constituency in the State. Thereafter, these machines were used in 1982-83 in ten other constituencies spread over eight States in different parts of the country, including some difficult areas in the North-East.
During November, 1998, the Election Commission introduced EVMs for elections to the State Assemblies in three States - Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and the NCT of Delhi – in a total of 16 Assembly Constituencies with nearly 3,000 polling stations. The experiment was an unqualified success. The simple and easy operation of the machines and fast counting was well received by the electors, parties, candidates and the election officials.
A formal study of the use of EVMs was conducted by the Centre for Study of Developing Societies(CSDS) on behalf of the Election Commission of India. This has shown that more than 95% of the electors have welcomed the use of EVMs. Encouraged by this positive response, the Commission used EVMs in Assembly Constituencies during bye-elections held in February,1999. The entire State of Goa voted with EVMs to elect a new State Assembly in June, 1999.
The Commission did detailed planning and monitoring of the entire operations on each of the three occasions in which EVMs were used. It has also conducted comprehensive reviews immediately after the completion of such elections to further improve the management of the electoral events using EVMs. Consequently, the Commission made extensive use of EVMs during the General Elections for Lok Sabha in 1999 in 46 Parliamentary Constituencies spread over 17 States and Union Territories, this being a quantum jump over the maximum coverage of EVMs so far. A total of 385 Assembly segments constituted these 46 Parliamentary Constituencies having nearly six crore electors. The number of polling stations using EVMs were nearly 65000 for which almost 100,000 machines were mobilised.
Electronic Voting Machine retains all the characteristics of voting by ballot papers, while making polling a lot more expedient. Being fast and absolutely reliable, the EVM saves considerable time, money and manpower. And, of course, helps maintain total voting secrecy without the use of ballot papers. The EVM is 100 per cent tamper proof.
What does an EVM unit comprise of ?
The EVM consists of two units that can be inter-linked. One, a ballot unit which a voter uses to exercise his vote. And the other, a control unit – used by the polling officials.
The Ballot Unit : An electronic ballot box
A simple voting device, it displays the list of candidates. A facility to incorporate party names and symbols is in-built. All the voter has to do is press the desired switch located next to the name of each candidate. This is followed by a short beep sound, indicating that the vote has been cast. Once again, the polling officer has to press the "Ballot" switch to clear the machine for the next voter to cast his vote.
The main advantage is the speed, apart from the simplicity of operation, which requires no training at all. A single ballot unit takes in the names of 16 candidates. And thus, by connecting four ballot units the EVM can accommodate a total of 64 candidates in a single election.
The Control Unit : In total control of the polling
Conduct of polling, display of total votes polled, sealing at the end of the poll, and finally, declaration of results – these are the various accomplishments of just one gadget : the control unit.
In total control of the polling, this electronic unit gives all necessary information at the press of a few buttons. For instance, if you need to know the total number of votes, you just have to press the Total switch.
Independent & Reliable
The EVM is compact and comes in a reusable ‘carry pack’. Further, the EVM works on a battery – power source. Making it independent and totally reliable.
Supersensitive Circuitry – No Invalid Votes
Inside the control unit is an extremely sensitive circuitry that takes care of common election errors or malpractices like vote duplication. For instance, if one were to press two or more buttons simultaneously, then no vote would be cast. Even if there was a micro-second difference in the pressing of the switches, the EVM is sensitive enough to trace and identify the switch that was pressed first.
(Release ID :1239)