Learn about Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and vote-counting processes as India gears up for the 2024 Lok Sabha Election. Understand the significance of e-voting technology in modern democratic practices.
Lok Sabha Election 2024: How Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) Works?
With the Lok Sabha Election 2024 on the horizon, voters are eager to understand the functioning of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and the process of vote counting. The Election Commission of India has recently unveiled the timetable for the 18th Lok Sabha elections, along with Assembly seats in Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Odisha, and Sikkim. Scheduled to take place from April 19 to June 1, the Lok Sabha 2024 elections will span seven phases. This article aims to provide insight into how EVMs operate and how votes are tabulated, offering voters a clearer understanding of the electoral process.
Electronic voting, commonly known as e-voting, employs electronic methods to facilitate and manage the process of casting and tallying votes. This technology has become an integral part of Indian General and State Elections, supplanting traditional paper ballots in local, state, and general (parliamentary) electoral processes across the country.
The adoption of electronic voting systems reflects a modernised approach to the democratic exercise, it has replaced paper ballots in local, state and general (parliamentary) elections in India streamlining and enhancing the efficiency of the voting process.
About Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs):
Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) were first introduced during the Kerala Assembly elections in 1982. Before this innovation, the casting of votes was exclusively done using ballot papers and ballot boxes.
Only two Indian Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) are involved in the manufacture of EVM machines: Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) was the first, followed by Electronics Corporation of India Limited (ECIL).
What Is An EVM And How Exactly Does It Work?
Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) provide voters with buttons connected to each symbol via a cable to an electronic ballot box. An EVM consists of two components: the control unit and the balloting unit, connected by a five-meter cable. When a voter presses a button for their preferred candidate, the machine locks automatically. To reopen the EVM for the next voter, a new ballot number is necessary, ensuring that each individual can cast only one vote. This straightforward and secure process ensures a fair and precise representation of individual votes.
What Are The Advantages Of Using Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs):
- EVMs streamline the voting process, reducing the time required for casting votes.
- They also reduce the time taken for the counting of votes and the declaration of results.
- Security concerns regarding tampering and breaches have been addressed with enhanced features.
- EVMs contribute to environmental conservation by minimizing the use of paper.
- Operating on batteries, they ensure uninterrupted voting, independent of electricity.
- EVMs can accommodate up to 64 candidates in a single constituency.
- Recorded votes can be stored securely for 10 years.
- The program of EVMs is sealed with a chip, preventing unauthorized alterations and fraud.
- EVMs register only the first button pressed, allowing one vote per person.
- The voting rate is restricted to five votes per minute.
- Production and design