electronic voting machines ( evm )
DESCRIPTION
see to the EVM in detail....TRANSCRIPT
Election Commission of India
A State-of-the-Art, User Friendlyand Tamper Proof
Electronic Voting Machine(EVM)
Election Commission of India
A State-of-the-Art, User Friendlyand Tamper Proof
Electronic Voting Machine(EVM)
PresentationPresentation
• The Genesis– Concept, Challenge, Solution
• Concerns• Remedies• EVM
– Technological Features– Description– Operation
• Polling, Closing, Counting & Results
• Advantages• Statistics of Interest
• The Genesis– Concept, Challenge, Solution
• Concerns• Remedies• EVM
– Technological Features– Description– Operation
• Polling, Closing, Counting & Results
• Advantages• Statistics of Interest
Genesis - ConceptGenesis - Concept
• Idea mooted by the Chief Election Commissioner in 1977
• Pros and cons of E-voting vis-à-vis ballot paper analysed by High Power Committees
• Recommended E-voting to save avoidable and recurring expenditure on printing, storage, transportation and security of Ballot Paper to the exchequer
• Idea mooted by the Chief Election Commissioner in 1977
• Pros and cons of E-voting vis-à-vis ballot paper analysed by High Power Committees
• Recommended E-voting to save avoidable and recurring expenditure on printing, storage, transportation and security of Ballot Paper to the exchequer
Top: Ballot paper awaiting despatchBottom: EVMs in store room
Genesis - ChallengeGenesis - Challenge
• Evolve a machine which would fit into the existing Election Procedure
• Appear familiar to the voter• Addressing the skepticism of
the Political Parties and Intelligentsia including Press
• Evolving a machine and a procedure which would be transparent and acceptable to all
• Evolve a machine which would fit into the existing Election Procedure
• Appear familiar to the voter• Addressing the skepticism of
the Political Parties and Intelligentsia including Press
• Evolving a machine and a procedure which would be transparent and acceptable to all
Top: Ballot box being carried to the polling stationBottom: EVMs being carried to the polling station
Genesis - SolutionGenesis - Solution
• Electronics Corporation of India Limited (ECIL) a leading Public Sector Company engaged in the design and manufacture of professional electronics was commissioned to design a machine to prove the feasibility
• Once feasibility was established, Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) a second Public Sector Company was co-opted into the exercise
• Electronics Corporation of India Limited (ECIL) a leading Public Sector Company engaged in the design and manufacture of professional electronics was commissioned to design a machine to prove the feasibility
• Once feasibility was established, Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) a second Public Sector Company was co-opted into the exercise
Voters waiting to cast their vote
Genesis - SolutionGenesis - Solution
• Both the companies (ECIL & BEL) brought out models with a common User Interface in 1980
• The machines were extensively tried out at locations across the country
• Publicity campaigns were run in the press and other media
• Seminars conducted by Election Commission of India in various forums
• Feedback obtained used to fine-tune the machine
• Both the companies (ECIL & BEL) brought out models with a common User Interface in 1980
• The machines were extensively tried out at locations across the country
• Publicity campaigns were run in the press and other media
• Seminars conducted by Election Commission of India in various forums
• Feedback obtained used to fine-tune the machine
Voting the Ballot box way
Voting the EVM way
ConcernsConcerns
• How secure is the data ?• Can the data be tampered
with ?• How does the machine
operate in remote areas without electric power ?
• What happens if the power fails in the middle of the voting process ?
• Can the data be stored long enough to be used as evidence in a court of law in case of electoral disputes ?
• How secure is the data ?• Can the data be tampered
with ?• How does the machine
operate in remote areas without electric power ?
• What happens if the power fails in the middle of the voting process ?
• Can the data be stored long enough to be used as evidence in a court of law in case of electoral disputes ?
Top: EVM being demonstrated to the pressMiddle: EVM being demonstrated to VIPsBottom: Address to the press on EVMs
RemediesRemedies
• All mechanical, electrical and software security features are provided to ensure the integrity of the voting data
• It is independent of mains power and operates on a special power pack
• It is tamper-proof and error free• It incorporates a microprocessor
that has ‘burnt-in’ software code which cannot be altered or retrieved
• All the data is recorded on non-volatile dual redundant memory chips and can be retained for over 6 months even when the power pack is removed
• All mechanical, electrical and software security features are provided to ensure the integrity of the voting data
• It is independent of mains power and operates on a special power pack
• It is tamper-proof and error free• It incorporates a microprocessor
that has ‘burnt-in’ software code which cannot be altered or retrieved
• All the data is recorded on non-volatile dual redundant memory chips and can be retained for over 6 months even when the power pack is removed
CountingBallot paper way
Counting - EVM way
EVM – Technology FeaturesEVM – Technology Features
• Centres around state-of-the-art microprocessor with built-in PROM storing the software code which cannot be retrieved or altered
• Reliable, robust and error free software• Legacy software with machine codes used to preserve
integrity and security• Double redundant resilient memory storage for securely
retaining data without a need for a backup battery• User friendly operation sequence• Portable and easy to operate• Custom made to fit into the existing pattern
• Centres around state-of-the-art microprocessor with built-in PROM storing the software code which cannot be retrieved or altered
• Reliable, robust and error free software• Legacy software with machine codes used to preserve
integrity and security• Double redundant resilient memory storage for securely
retaining data without a need for a backup battery• User friendly operation sequence• Portable and easy to operate• Custom made to fit into the existing pattern
EVM – Technology FeaturesEVM – Technology Features
• Provision is made on all the sub-units for sealing to ensure that the units are not tampered with
• Each EVM can cater to a maximum of 64 candidates with 4 Ballot Units cascaded
• The EVM can be used for conducting “TWO” simultaneous polls.
• EVMs to conduct up to “FOUR” or “MORE” simultaneous polls to suit the electoral systems of other countries are developed and demonstration models available
• Provision is made on all the sub-units for sealing to ensure that the units are not tampered with
• Each EVM can cater to a maximum of 64 candidates with 4 Ballot Units cascaded
• The EVM can be used for conducting “TWO” simultaneous polls.
• EVMs to conduct up to “FOUR” or “MORE” simultaneous polls to suit the electoral systems of other countries are developed and demonstration models available
Control Unit
Interconnecting Cable
Ballot Unit
Sub-Units of EVMSub-Units of EVM
Ballot Unit - DetailsBallot Unit - Details
Ready LampSlide Switch Window
Candidate’s Button
Candidate’s Lamp
Ballot Paper Screen
Ballot Unit - Internal partsBallot Unit - Internal parts
Slide Switch
Candidate’s Button
Masking Tab
Ready Lamp
Control Unit Control Unit
ON Lamp Busy Lamp
Display Section Candidate Set Section
Result Section
Ballot SectionBallot Button
Total Button
Control Unit - View of Bottom Compartment
Control Unit - View of Bottom Compartment
Power Switch
Bottom CompartmentCover
Connector forInterconnecting Cable
Connector for Auxiliary Unit
Control Unit - Display SectionControl Unit - Display Section
4-DigitDisplay Panel
ON Lamp
2-Digit Display Panel
Busy Lamp
Control Unit - Candidate Set SectionControl Unit - Candidate Set Section
Provision forthread seal
Latch
Plug forpower pack
Candidate setbutton
Candidate set sectioninner door
Candidate set sectionouter door
Provision forThread seal
Power packcompartment
Control Unit - Result SectionControl Unit - Result SectionResult Ibutton
Inner latches
Frames forPaper seal
Clear button
Result II button
Close button
Control Unit - Ballot SectionControl Unit - Ballot Section
Total button
Ballot button
PollingPolling
• The voter is identified from the voters list and records his presence by a signature or thumb impression
• The Presiding Officer presses the “Ballot” button on the Control Unit permitting one vote
• The voter then proceeds to the polling cubicle and after perusing the ballot paper on the Ballot Unit, presses the key against the candidate of his choice
• The voter is identified from the voters list and records his presence by a signature or thumb impression
• The Presiding Officer presses the “Ballot” button on the Control Unit permitting one vote
• The voter then proceeds to the polling cubicle and after perusing the ballot paper on the Ballot Unit, presses the key against the candidate of his choice
PollingPolling
• A red lamp glows indicating to the voter that his vote has been cast in favour of that candidate
• The casting of the vote results in a beep in the Control Unit indicating to the Presiding Officer that a vote has been cast
• He then proceeds to release another vote by pressing the “Ballot” button and the process continues
• A red lamp glows indicating to the voter that his vote has been cast in favour of that candidate
• The casting of the vote results in a beep in the Control Unit indicating to the Presiding Officer that a vote has been cast
• He then proceeds to release another vote by pressing the “Ballot” button and the process continues
ClosingClosing
• The cap on the “Close Button” is removed and the button pressed
• The cap is then replaced
• The unit is then switched “Off” and the interconnecting cable disconnected
• The cap on the “Close Button” is removed and the button pressed
• The cap is then replaced
• The unit is then switched “Off” and the interconnecting cable disconnected
Counting & ResultsCounting & Results
• The Power pack / Battery is checked for health by pressing the TOTAL Button
• After getting ready to note down the result, the green paper seal over RESULT-1 Button is pierced and RESULT-1 Button is pressed.
• The Power pack / Battery is checked for health by pressing the TOTAL Button
• After getting ready to note down the result, the green paper seal over RESULT-1 Button is pierced and RESULT-1 Button is pressed.
Counting & ResultsCounting & Results
• The “RESULT-1” button is pressed to display the results
• The results are then noted.
• The “RESULT-1” button is pressed to display the results
• The results are then noted.
CAND. SET
CLEAR
BALLOT
RESULT-1
SEQUENCE OF OPERATION OF BUTTONS ELECTRONIC VOTING MACHINE
SEQUENCE OF OPERATION OF BUTTONS ELECTRONIC VOTING MACHINE
CLOSE
AdvantagesAdvantages
• Modernises the election process • User friendly – can be used even by illiterates • Simple to operate and can be installed in a short time• Preserves voting secrecy• No scope for invalid votes• Facilitates quick and accurate counting – possible to
declare results instantaneously• Re-usable by simply erasing votes recorded in earlier
poll
• Modernises the election process • User friendly – can be used even by illiterates • Simple to operate and can be installed in a short time• Preserves voting secrecy• No scope for invalid votes• Facilitates quick and accurate counting – possible to
declare results instantaneously• Re-usable by simply erasing votes recorded in earlier
poll
AdvantagesAdvantages
• Huge expenditure involved in printing, storing and transportation and security of ballot paper can be avoided
• Lowers operating costs• Easier to manage with less demand on man-
power• Provision can be made to connect to a
“CENTRAL STATION” to consolidate and display / record the results countrywide
• Huge expenditure involved in printing, storing and transportation and security of ballot paper can be avoided
• Lowers operating costs• Easier to manage with less demand on man-
power• Provision can be made to connect to a
“CENTRAL STATION” to consolidate and display / record the results countrywide
Statistics of InterestStatistics of Interest
• Around one million machines deployed during Lok Sabha, 2004 polls
• Low failure rate• Costs around US $ 300 • Estimated saving on the
switchover to EVM is Approx US $ 40 million
• Political Parties and Intelligentsia who initially were skeptical now endorse the machine for its veracity
• Around one million machines deployed during Lok Sabha, 2004 polls
• Low failure rate• Costs around US $ 300 • Estimated saving on the
switchover to EVM is Approx US $ 40 million
• Political Parties and Intelligentsia who initially were skeptical now endorse the machine for its veracity
EVM being demonstrated to voters beforethe recent elections held in the state of
Jammu & Kashmir
Thank YouThank You