The
total number of new eligible voters for the 2014 General Elections is equal to
the total number of eligible voters of 2009 General Elections. How many of you
knew this staggering fact? So, do these new voters know how to vote? What is
the technology that is used in India to aid the voting process? How does it function? And most importantly,
does it work efficiently? The answers for all these questions are coming up
right here, in this week’s elections special column.
GENERAL
While
voting, are paper, pen and ballot boxes used? No. In India, we use a device
known as the Electronic Voting Machine or EVM. EVMs are being used in Indian Elections,
both General and State, partly from 1999 and in total since 2004. This system
reduces the time required for casting and later, counting more than the old
paper ballot system. The EVMs were designed by the Election Commission of India
in collaboration with Bharath Electronics Limited and Electronics Corporation
of India.
TECH – SAVVY
So,how
is the EVM machine in India designed? The machine uses a two – piece system
with a balloting unit presenting the voter, with a switch for each choice
connected by a cable to the ballot box.
The two
units that make up the EVM are: Control Unit and Ballot Unit.
They
are both joined by a cable that is 5m long. The Control unit is with the Poling
officer and the ballot unit is in the voting compartment. When the poling
officer presses the ballot button it enables the voter to cast his vote by
pressing the blue button on the balloting unit. The controller program is
permanently etched in Silicon at the time of manufacturing and cannot be
modified even by the manufacturer.
SPECS
The
EVMs are powered by a 6V alkaline battery manufactured by the two companies
stated earlier. The design is such that it enables the use of the machine
throughout the country without interruptions as some parts of the country do
not have continuous power supply.
An EVM
can record a maximum of 3840 votes, which is sufficient for 1 polling station.
It can also cater to a maximum of 64 candidates. There is a provision for 16
candidates in one balloting unit and if the number of candidates exceed this a
second unit is linked parallel to the first unit and so on until 4 units are
placed and thus making 64 candidates. Conventional ballot paper system is used
when the number of candidates exceed 64.
The EVM
is so designed such that it is not possible to vote more than once. That is,
you cannot keep pressing the button again and again. Once the button is pressed
in the balloting unit, the vote is recorded and it cannot be changed or
modified and the option gets locked. Thus, the EVM ensures the principle of
“One Person One Vote”.
The use
of 6V alkaline battery ensure that there is absolutely no risk of electric
shock.
USAGE
As soon
as the last voter has voted, the Polling Officer in-charge of the Control Unit
will press the 'Close' Button. Thereafter, the EVM will not accept any votes.
Further, after the close of poll, the Balloting Unit is disconnected from the
Control Unit and kept separately. Votes can be recorded only through the
Balloting Unit. Again the Presiding officer, at the close of the poll, will
hand over to each polling agent present an account of votes recorded. At the
time of counting of votes, the total will be tallied with this account and if
there is any discrepancy, this will be pointed out by the Counting Agents.
During
the counting of votes, the results are displayed by pressing the 'Result'
button. There are two safeguards to prevent the 'Result' button from being
pressed before the counting of votes officially begins. (a) This button cannot
be pressed till the 'Close' button is pressed by the Polling Officer in-charge
at the end of the voting process in the polling booth. (b) This button is
hidden and sealed; this can be broken only at the counting centre in the
presence of designated officials.
How
many of you, new voters and also old timers got an idea of how India uses
technology for voting and how the technology works? Let me conclude with an
interesting stat: In total, there are 14 lakh EVMs used this year in 9,30,000
polling centres. So now that you know how the technology works, go there and cast your vote and wait for May 16th
for the results of your exercised right.
-Vandhiyadevan
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