EVMs were used in Indian elections to prevent vote rigging. Booth capturing could be ended with the use of EVMs in the country. The use of EVM saves a lot of time from voting to counting.
After the results of the Karnataka Assembly elections, no question was raised about EVMs, yes, before the results, Congress Party spokesperson Randeep Surjewala had definitely targeted the Election Commission by alleging that Electronic Voting Machines were used in South Africa . Although the Election Commission also replied on this. And dismissed Surjewala's apprehension and claim.
The Election Commission said that EVMs were never sent to South Africa before use in the Karnataka elections, nor were EVMs imported from any other country. The commission also said that EVMs are not used in South African elections.
Are EVMs in India brought from other countries?
If you go to the website of the Election Commission, then this question has been answered. According to the FAQ section of the commission's site, no foreign-made EVMs are used in India. EVMs are produced in two public sector undertakings of India. Both these are public sector undertakings – Bharat Electronics Limited, Bengaluru and Electronics Corporation of India Limited, Hyderabad.
However, it has also been told in the commission's website that after the introduction of EVMs in India's elections, many countries like Bhutan, Nepal and Namibia have used EVMs made in India in their elections.
Which parts are used in EVM?
According to the information, two parts of the EVM are important - a 'control unit' and a 'balloting unit' - which is connected by a 5 meter cable. The balloting unit is in the voting compartment in which the voter casts his vote by pressing the button in front of the name and symbol of the candidate of his choice. While the control unit is with the polling officer appointed by the commission.
The control unit is also called the 'brain' of the EVM. Because the balloting unit starts only when the polling officer presses the 'ballot' button on it and after that the vote is cast.
The software program code of both these companies for the machines is written in-house and not outsourced. It has been made completely secure and confidential.
How is the security of EVM maintained?
Software security has strict rules. After manufacturing, EVMs are sent to the state and to any district within the state. Every ECI-EVM has a serial number. Using EVM-tracking software, the Election Commission can trace which machines are located where.
Each microchip has an identification number embedded in memory. Manufacturers have their digital signatures. Any attempt to change the microchip can be detected and render the EVM inoperable.
The commission's website states that the process of dismantling the EVM and its chip is done inside the factory of the manufacturers in the presence of the Chief Electoral Officer of the state or his representative.
Where did the first idea of EVM come from?
The idea of EVM first came in the year 1977. This meant that its use would reduce costs, paper would be less and there would be no attempts at rigging during voting, which is commonly called booth capturing.
Where was voting done with EVM for the first time?
In India, EVMs were used for the first time in 1982-83 in 50 polling stations in Parur assembly constituency in Kerala. But the Supreme Court suspended its use in 1984. However, after 1989 it started being used again. All assembly elections till 2001 saw the use of EVMs. In the 2004 Lok Sabha elections, EVMs were used in all 543 constituencies.
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