New Delhi:
Elon Musk, the richest man in the world, has questioned the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM). He says that EVMs should be abolished. Their argument is that it can be hacked by humans or AI. So they are secure and not connected to any network or media so there is no way to hack them.
Let us know the difference between Indian Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) and American Electronic Voting Machine and how they work.
In America, the emphasis is on voting by ballot paper.
An organization that monitors voting technology in the U.S. cited data from the 2022 midterm elections, saying that 70 percent of registered voters chose to vote by ballot paper. These ballots are scanned by machines, only in very exceptional circumstances, they are counted by hand.
While 23 percent voters used Ballot Marking Device (BMD). In which voters use a machine to express their vote. It is printed out and scanned by the machine.
America’s EVM
Seven percent of voters used Direct Recording Electronic (DRE). These machines keep the vote safe Voting machines were used.
The DRE’s touchscreen voting machine does not issue paper ballots and cannot be audited or verified, as it will see the correct vote, whereas a voter cannot detect any irregularities in voter verified paper audit trials (VVPAT) Ballot paper imposed to avoid tampering Failed to provide accurate information.
The biggest drawback of America’s electronic voting machines is said to be that there are no physical records to back up electronic votes, meaning election officials are forced to trust that votes can be changed or lost.
American EVM reliability crisis
There are different companies making direct recording electronics in America. Hence doubt has arisen on its credibility.
Each state decides which systems and machines they will use, and it often happens that the current budget is very limited.
Most EVMs in America are not directly connected to the Internet. But this does not mean that the programming of EVMs cannot be hacked before every election. Candidates details are entered in this. This is done through the Election Management System (EMS). EMS is usually performed via a laptop or desktop. These laptops and desktops are also used for other purposes. During this time they can connect to the internet. Hackers can use it during this time. Any virus can be placed in it.
How are India’s EVMs?
EVM or Electronic Voting Machine is a battery operated machine which records the votes cast during polling and this machine is made up of three parts. One is the Control Unit (CU), the other is the Balloting Unit (BU). Both these machines are connected by a five meter long wire. The third part is VVPAT.
A voter votes by pressing a button on the ballot unit and that vote can be registered for up to 16 candidates in one ballot unit.At the Election Commission, 24 such balloting units can be added together, thereby voting for a maximum of 384 candidates, including NOTA. The control unit is with the polling officer of the booth. A ballot unit is surrounded on three sides where people vote.
Where the names of the candidates have been registered
Ballot units also have party symbols and candidate photos on which the names of the candidates are given. A blue button is placed in front of each candidate. Voter votes by pressing this button.
After the last polling at the polling station, after the polling officer presses the close button on the control unit, for the result, the result button on the control unit has to be pressed to know which candidate gets how many votes.
Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) is a system linked to EVMs, through which voters can check whether their vote has been cast for the correct candidate or not.
Programming of EVMs
There is a microprocessor inside the EVM. It can only be programmed once. That is, once it is written into its program, it cannot be changed. No other software will run on EVM electricity.
In India, EVMs are manufactured by the Ministry of Defense’s Bharat Electronics Limited (Bangalore) and Electronics Corporation of India Limited, Hyderabad.
Older models of EVMs may have 3840 watts. The new model has only 2000 watts. It costs around Rs 8700 to prepare an EVM unit.
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