Electronic Voting Machines: Can they be tampered with? Answering questions around EVMs

Electronic Voting Machines

The EVMs or Electronic Voting Machines were officially introduced in the Indian electoral system in 1998. After numerous elections and over two decades later, the dust still doesn’t seem to settle around these machines, their usage, and more importantly — can they be tampered with?

The latest complaints for the EVMs come from Congress after their recent Assembly poll losses in Maharashtra and Haryana. Earlier this year, Tesla CEO Elon Musk also raised questions on the EVMs saying that they carry a risk of getting hacked by humans or artificial intelligence.

So, how do EVMs work?

An EVM comprises two units — the control unit with the polling officer and the balloting unit in the voting compartment for voter privacy. Connected by a cable, the control unit enables voting when the officer presses the ballot button after verifying the voter's identity. The balloting unit displays candidates' names and symbols, each with a blue button. Voters select their preferred candidate by pressing the button next to their name. The setup ensures a streamlined and private voting process.

Do EVMs require electricity?

Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) operate without electricity, relying on batteries provided by Bharat Electronics Limited or Electronics Corporation of India Limited. Each EVM can record up to 2,000 votes. Earlier M2 variant of EVMs (2006-2010) supported a maximum of 64 candidates, including the "None of the Above" (NOTA) option. However, the advanced M3 EVMs, introduced post-2013, can accommodate up to 384 candidates by linking 24 Balloting Units.

Following the Haryana election results in October, Congress raised concerns, observing an unusual pattern. The party alleged that EVMs with a 99% battery charge showed losses for the Congress, while those with 60-70% charge indicated victories. This sparked fresh debates over EVM reliability and potential technical inconsistencies.

How does the battery in an EVM work?

Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) are designed to function on alkaline batteries, enabling their use even in areas without electricity. The Election Commission of India (ECI) specifies that the EVM's control unit (CU) operates on a 7.5 or 8-volt power pack, while the Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) unit uses a 22.5-volt power pack. Both power sources are produced by public sector entities Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Electronics Corporation of India Limited (ECIL).

Battery performance is continuously monitored, with the CU displaying statuses like “High”, “Medium”, “Low”, “Marginal”, and “Change Battery”. Sector officers replace batteries from reserve stock whenever the “Change Battery” signal appears.

The longevity of these batteries depends on usage, including the number of votes cast during mock and actual polls, as well as how often the "total" button is pressed. The ECI ensures that batteries are checked and replaced as needed to maintain seamless voting operations, emphasizing reliability and accessibility in India’s electoral process.

What is the procedure to change an EVM battery?

Before every election, a new battery is installed in the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) during the first-level check. Political parties are informed in advance, and their representatives can witness the process.

On polling day, a mock poll is conducted before voting begins, with polling agents of candidates present to verify the system's functionality. If a battery issue arises during polling, it is replaced under strict supervision. The Election Commission of India (ECI) mandates that the presiding officer must perform the replacement in the presence of polling agents and a sector officer. After replacing the battery, the control unit’s battery section is resealed with an address tag, and signatures from all present are obtained for record-keeping.

At the end of the polling day, the presiding officer submits a comprehensive report to the Election Commission. This includes details of any battery changes, the control unit’s unique ID, the reason for replacement, and the signatures of polling agents who witnessed the process.

Can an insider tamper with EVMs?

The safe storage and handling of EVMs are crucial to maintaining election integrity. EVMs are typically stored in treasuries or warehouses under the control of the District Electoral Officer (DEO). These facilities, secured by double locks, 24/7 police or security guard presence and CCTV surveillance, ensure that EVMs remain tamper-proof during non-election periods. The machines cannot be moved without explicit instructions from the Election Commission.

As elections approach, EVMs are randomly allocated to Assembly segments using specialised software, a process conducted in the presence of party representatives. In their absence, a list of allocations is shared with party offices for transparency. Once allocated, the Returning Officer (RO) takes charge of the machines, storing them in designated strong rooms.

A second round of randomisation assigns EVMs to specific polling stations. Party representatives are invited to oversee this process and share machine details with their polling agents for pre-poll verification. After candidates' details and ballot papers are finalized, the machines are prepared and stored securely.

The strong rooms are sealed in the presence of party representatives, who may add their seals for additional assurance. These rooms, guarded by senior police officers or central forces, remain inaccessible until a scheduled date. On this date, the EVMs are handed over to polling parties for use at designated stations, ensuring the entire process is transparent and secure.

What happens to EVMs after polling ends?

After voting concludes, strict protocols are followed to safeguard Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). The Presiding Officer must first document the votes recorded in each machine and provide attested copies to the polling agents of all candidates. The EVM is then sealed, and candidates or their agents are allowed to sign the seals to ensure no tampering occurs. These representatives can also accompany the vehicles transporting the EVMs to strong rooms, ideally located near counting centres.

Along with used EVMs, reserve machines are also returned. Once all machines reach the strong room, it is sealed in the presence of candidates or their agents, who may place additional seals for extra assurance. They are permitted to monitor the strong rooms continuously until counting day.

Strong rooms remain sealed and can only be opened on counting day. If access is required earlier for unavoidable reasons, it must be done in the presence of candidates or their representatives, who can reseal the room afterward.

To prevent any breach, three layers of security, including Central Armed Police Forces, guard the strong rooms. On counting day, the process begins only after candidates or their agents verify the machine numbers and confirm the seals remain intact.