Organisation : Election Commission of India (ECI)
Facility : Electronic Voting Machine (EVM)
Country : India
Website : https://www.eci.gov.in/
Contents
What is Electronic Voting Machine (EVM)?
Electronic Voting Machine (EVM): An EVM consists of two units, namely, Control Unit (CU) and Ballot Unit (BU) with a cable (5mt.long). A Ballot Unit caters upto16 candidates. 24 (Twenty-four) Ballot Units can be cascaded together for catering to 384 candidates (including NOTA) which can be used with one Control Unit. On the right side of the BU along the candidates’ vote button, digits 1 to 16 are embossed in Braille signage for guidance of visually impaired electors. It runs on a power pack (Battery) having 7.5 volts.
What is Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail?
Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT): Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail is an independent system attached with the Electronic Voting Machines that allows the voters to verify that their votes are cast as intended. VVPAT runs on a power pack (Battery) of 22.5 volts
Functioning of EVM and VVPAT
** Control Unit is kept with the Presiding Officer/Polling Officer and Ballot Unit and VVPAT are kept in the Voting Compartment.
** When a vote is cast on Ballot Unit by pressing candidate button (Blue Button) of his/her choice, RED light is glow against that particular candidate button.
** On other hand, a slip is printed on the VVPAT printer containing the serial number, name and symbol of the candidate and remains exposed through a transparent window for about 7 seconds.
** Thereafter, this printed slip automatically gets cut and falls in sealed drop-box of the VVPAT.
** Thereafter, a beep sound is heard from the Control Unit to ensure vote has been registered successfully
Opening and Closing of EVM Warehouse
** During non-election period till finalization of list of the contesting candidates, EVM-VVPAT warehouses are opened/closed (for any purpose like movement, inspection etc.) in the presence of the representatives of National and State Recognised Political Parties.
** With finalization of list of the contesting candidates, candidates and their representatives are involved while opening and closing of EVM-VVPAT warehouses/strong room.
** Opening and Closing of EVM warehouse/strong room is done under videography.
First Level Checking of EVMs and VVPATs
** First Level Checking of EVMs and VVPATs is conducted before every election by the authorised engineers of Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Electronics Corporation of India Limited (ECIL) at DEO level.
** For this purpose, National and State Recognised Political Parties at district headquarters are invited in writing by DEO concerned at least two days before the beginning of FLC and a copy is endorsed to state headquarters.
** The representatives of National and State Recognised Political Parties are involved to oversee entire FLC process.
** Higher mock poll is conducted in 5% randomly selected EVMs and VVPATs (i.e. 1200 votes in 1% EVMs, 1000 votes in 2% EVMs and 500 votes in 2% EVMs). The electronic result of EVM is tallied with the VVPAT slips count. They are allowed to pick 5% EVMs and VVPATs randomly and also to do mock poll.
** List of FLC ok EVMs and VVPATs is shared with all National and State Recognised Political Parties.
** The representatives of National and State Recognised Political Parties are allowed to sign the seals, forms register during FLC.