In News:

The Supreme Court dismissed the PIL, remarking that EVMs are only questioned after electoral losses, not when elections are won. It emphasized that no evidence of tampering was found.

What Are EVMs and VVPATs?:

• EVMs: Electronic Voting Machines are used for conducting elections to the Parliament, state legislatures, and local bodies. They consist of two units: theControl Unit (operated by the polling officer) and the Ballot Unit (where voters cast their votes).
• VVPAT: The Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail enables voters to verify that their vote is recorded as cast. A slip is printed showing the candidate’s name, symbol, and serial number, visible for 7 seconds before being cut and stored in a sealed box.

Safeguards to Ensure EVM Integrity:

• Technical Safeguards:
  • Microcontroller Security: EVMs use one-time programmable (OTP) microcontrollers, which cannot be altered after manufacturing.
  • Standalone Operation: EVMs do not have wired or wireless connectivity, eliminating risks of remote tampering.
  • Post-2013 Features: Advanced EVMs (M3) include tamper detection and mutual authentication protocols.
• Administrative Protocols:
  • Randomized EVM Allocation: EVMs are randomly allocated to polling stations to avoid predetermined assignments.
  • Mock Polls: Multiple mock polls are conducted to test the functionality of EVMs.
  • Counting Procedures: EVMs are brought to counting tables under CCTV surveillance, and VVPAT slips are randomly cross-verified.
  • Secure Storage: EVMs are stored under strict protocols, including double-lock systems, CCTV surveillance, and GPS-tracked transport.

Advantages of EVMs Over Ballot Papers:

• Elimination of Invalid Votes: EVMs ensure no invalid votes, a common problem with torn or mis-marked ballot papers.
• Prevention of Booth Capturing: EVMs restrict vote casting to 4 votes per minute, preventing fraudulent vote insertion.
• Accurate and Fast Counting: EVMs enable quick, error-free vote counting, reducing delays and human errors.
• Transparency: Voters can verify their votes through the VVPAT, and the vote count is displayed transparently without revealing candidate-wise results prematurely.

Evolution of EVMs in India:

• 1977: Concept of EVMs conceived.
• 1990: The Dinesh Goswami Committee recommended the use of EVMs.
• 2004: EVMs used nationwide in Lok Sabha elections.
• 2013: VVPAT was introduced to improve transparency.
• 2019: First nationwide use of EVMs backed by VVPAT.