EVM- History Manufacturing advancement

EVM- History Manufacturing advancement and controversy

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EVM- History Manufacturing advancement, EVM or Electronic Voting Machines, is a crucial component of India’s electoral process. They have been used in Indian elections since the late 1990s to enable electronic voting and facilitate faster and more efficient counting of votes. EVMs are designed to enhance the accuracy and transparency of the voting process while reducing the likelihood of electoral fraud.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) oversees the use of EVMs in elections at various levels, from parliamentary elections to state assembly elections and local body polls. Over the years, the ECI has continually upgraded and refined the technology of EVMs to ensure their security, reliability, and tamper resistance.

Despite their widespread use, EVMs have been subject to some controversy and scrutiny, particularly regarding their security and vulnerability to tampering. Critics have raised concerns about the potential for manipulation or hacking of EVMs to influence election outcomes. In response, the ECI has taken several measures to address these concerns, including implementing stringent security protocols, conducting regular audits, and introducing Voter Verified Paper Audit Trails (VVPATs) to provide a paper trail for each vote cast.

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Overall, EVMs have played a significant role in modernizing India’s electoral process and have generally been credited with improving the efficiency and integrity of elections in the country. However, debates about their security and reliability continue to persist, and the ECI remains committed to addressing these concerns to maintain public trust in the electoral process.

Elections before EVM machines

Before the introduction of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in India, elections were conducted using traditional paper ballots. Here’s how the electoral process worked prior to the advent of EVMs

Voter registration was typically conducted through a manual process. Eligible voters had to register themselves on electoral rolls maintained by the Election Commission of India (ECI) or the respective State Election Commission.

Before each election, ballot papers were printed with the names and symbols of candidates contesting in each constituency. For example – a hand symbol of congress party, a lotus flower represents BJP.

This process involved significant logistical challenges, as large quantities of paper ballots needed to be printed and distributed to polling stations across the country.

For example – a hand symbol of congress party, a lotus flower represents BJP.

On the day of the election, polling stations were set up in various locations to accommodate voters. Each polling station served a specific geographical area or polling booth.

Voters would arrive at their designated polling stations and queue up to cast their votes. Inside the polling booth, they would be handed a ballot paper containing the names and symbols of the candidates. Voters would then mark their choice by placing a mark (usually a cross or a tick) against the candidate of their choice.

After marking their ballots, voters would fold them and deposit them into sealed ballot boxes placed inside the polling station. Ballot boxes were typically made of sturdy material and equipped with security seals to prevent tampering.

At the end of the voting period, which usually lasted for several hours, the ballot boxes were opened, and the ballot papers were manually counted in the presence of election officials and representatives of political parties. This process could be time-consuming and labor-intensive, especially in constituencies with large numbers of voters.

Declaration of Results: Once all the votes were counted, the results were tallied, and the winning candidate in each constituency was declared. This process could take several hours or even days, depending on the size and complexity of the election.

While the traditional paper ballot system was widely used and familiar to voters, it had several drawbacks, including the potential for ballot stuffing, miscounting of votes and logistical challenges associated with handling and transporting large volumes of paper ballots. The introduction of EVMs in the late 20th century represented a significant technological advancement aimed at addressing these issues and modernizing the electoral process in India.

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Controversy over the movement of EVM

Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) have been a subject of controversy in India for several years.

One of the primary controversies surrounding EVMs is the allegation that they can be tampered with to manipulate election results. Various political parties and activists have raised concerns about the integrity of EVMs, claiming that they are susceptible to hacking or manipulation.

Demand for paper trail: To address concerns about the integrity of EVMs, there have been calls for the implementation of Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trails (VVPATs). VVPATs provide a paper trail that allows voters to verify that their vote has been cast correctly. Despite the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) efforts to implement VVPATs in elections, some critics argue that this measure is insufficient to ensure the security and transparency of the electoral process.


The controversy over EVMs has led to various legal challenges and petitions in Indian courts. Some political parties and activists have sought judicial intervention to address their concerns about the reliability and security of EVMs.

Proponents of EVMs argue that they are a technologically advanced and efficient means of conducting elections, reducing the possibility of fraud and human error. They also contend that the introduction of VVPATs enhances the transparency and credibility of the electoral process.

The controversy over EVMs often takes on a political dimension, with different parties taking opposing stances based on their electoral interests. Parties that perform poorly in elections may be more likely to raise concerns about EVMs, while those that benefit from the current system may defend its integrity.

Manufacturing of EVM (Electronic Voting Machines)

Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) used in India are manufactured by two public sector undertakings under the Election Commission of India (ECI): Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Electronics Corporation of India Limited (ECIL).

BEL is a government-owned company headquartered in Bangalore, Karnataka. It is one of the major manufacturers of EVMs in India. BEL was established in 1954 and has since been involved in the manufacturing of a wide range of electronics products, including EVMs. The company has multiple manufacturing facilities across India.

ECIL is another public sector undertaking that manufactures EVMs for the ECI. It is headquartered in Hyderabad, Telangana. Established in 1967, ECIL is primarily engaged in the design, development, and manufacturing of electronics products and systems for various sectors, including defense, aerospace, and elections.

Both BEL and ECIL follow strict quality control measures and adhere to the specifications provided by the Election Commission of India (ECI) while manufacturing EVMs. The manufacturing process includes the assembly of electronic components, testing, calibration, and packaging. The EVMs produced by these companies undergo rigorous testing to ensure their accuracy, reliability, and security before they are deployed for elections.

Additionally, the ECI has implemented various security measures to safeguard the integrity of EVMs, including the use of tamper-evident seals, secure transportation, and the implementation of a comprehensive security protocol during elections. Despite these measures, concerns about the security and reliability of EVMs persist, leading to ongoing debates and controversies surrounding their use in Indian elections.

Challenges before ECI to Ensure the Trustworthiness of Elections  

There is a lack of competent polling officers for operating EVMs, and various reports and cases show last-minute glitches in the machines, which raise doubt about their functioning.

Example: In the Delhi municipal elections 2017,  Kairana and Noorpur by-elections, etc. the EVMs stopped working.

Considering the complexity VVPAT is introducing into the electoral process there is a need for competent polling officers. VVPATs are very complicated and slight mishandling can fail. E.g. In the Meghalaya Assembly by polls more than 33 percent VVPATs failed as the paper used was not suitable for the humid weather there. 

The influence of money and criminal elements in politics and violence and electoral malpractices. In 2019, around 43% of Members of Parliament (MPs) had criminal cases pending against them.

Many times, there are large-scale transfers on the eve of elections and posts of pliable officials in important positions, use of official vehicles, buildings, etc., for electioneering, flouting the Model code of conduct.  

There is a lack of transparency and not clearly defined criteria in the appointment of its members; they don’t have the security of tenure and are not debarred from future an appointment, which raises questions on its trustworthiness.

There is a frequent breach of the MCC during the election, and it has no legal backing. For example, the Launch of NAMO TV by the government, publicity of the ASAT mission by the party in power, etc.

Influence of party in power: Many opposition parties alleged that ECI favours the party in power while announcing election dates and provides clean chits to its members on the violation of rules.

Steps taken by ECI to Gain the Confidence of the Voters  

The ECI had also thrown open EVM hackathon challenges to prove the credibility of machines.

There is multi-level checking of machines at various stages of the election process in front of political parties to gain trust.

Frequent mock polls are conducted on random EVMs in the presence of political parties to ensure transparency.

The Election Commission operational VVPAT to bring more transparency in the voting process.

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Advancements in EVM in recent years

Advancements in Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) have been made to address concerns about security, transparency, and accessibility in the electoral process. Some notable advancement include-

VVPAT is perhaps the most significant advancement in EVM technology. It provides a paper trail that allows voters to verify that their vote has been correctly recorded by the EVM. After casting their vote electronically, the VVPAT machine prints a paper slip displaying the voter’s choice, which the voter can then verify. This enhances transparency and confidence in the electoral process by providing a physical record of votes that can be audited if necessary.

EVMs now incorporate advanced security features to prevent tampering and unauthorized access. These features include encryption of data, secure boot mechanisms to prevent unauthorized software modifications, tamper-evident seals, and physical locks to protect the internal components of the machines.

EVMs have been redesigned to be more accessible to voters with disabilities. This includes features such as Braille labels, tactile buttons, and audio cues to assist visually impaired voters. Additionally, the height and layout of the machines are adjusted to accommodate voters in wheelchairs or with mobility impairments.

Some advancement explores the possibility of remote electronic voting, allowing eligible voters to cast their ballots from remote locations using electronic devices such as computers or smart phones. However, the implementation of remote voting raises significant security and privacy concerns and is still under development and testing in many countries.

Some proposals suggest integrating block chain technology into EVMs to enhance security and transparency. Block chain can potentially provide a decentralized and immutable ledger of votes, making it more difficult for malicious actors to tamper with or manipulate election results. However, widespread adoption of block chain-based voting systems requires further research and testing to address technical challenges and security concerns.

In a nutshell, advancements in EVM technology aim to improve the integrity, security, and accessibility of the electoral process. However, it’s essential to balance innovation with careful consideration of potential risks and challenges to ensure the reliability and trustworthiness of electronic voting systems.

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