The recurring question surrounding India's Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) – "How come they function fine when you win?" – has become a familiar refrain from opposition parties following electoral defeats. This skepticism, however, is met with staunch rebuttals from the ruling NDA (National Democratic Alliance) and the Election Commission of India (ECI), who assert the machines' reliability and tamper-proof nature.
Allegations of EVM tampering are not new and often surface after elections where the opposition fails to defeat the incumbent. In 2024, similar concerns were raised, prompting the Supreme Court to dismiss a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking a return to paper ballots. The court emphasized that allegations against EVMs often stem from electoral outcomes rather than concrete evidence, expressing confidence in the checks and balances within the EVM and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) system.
The ECI has consistently maintained that EVMs are tamper-proof due to several factors. The machines are manufactured in a secure facility, and their programming is done under strict supervision. EVMs are stand-alone devices that do not connect to the internet or any external network, eliminating the possibility of remote manipulation. During the period between voting day and counting day, the EVMs are stored securely and all access is strictly monitored.
To enhance transparency, the ECI introduced the VVPAT system, which provides a paper trail allowing voters to verify that their vote was recorded correctly. In 2019, the Supreme Court directed that a small percentage (2%) of VVPAT slips be verified to ensure reliability before the final results are certified. However, some opposition parties have called for 100% verification of VVPAT slips, a demand the ECI has resisted, citing logistical challenges and potential delays. The ECI has also stated that 100 per cent cross-verification is regressive, akin to reverting to manual voting.
Despite the ECI's assurances, doubts persist. Critics argue that EVMs are vulnerable to manipulation, citing instances of alleged malfunctioning and discrepancies in vote counts. Some have pointed to the lack of a physical paper ballot as a cause for concern, arguing that it prevents independent verification of the results. Concerns have also been raised regarding the security of EVMs during storage and transportation.
The ECI has actively addressed these concerns by conducting mock polls, offering hackathons, and increasing public awareness about the security features of EVMs. The commission has also emphasized that political parties and candidates are present at every stage of the EVM movement, from the first level check to randomisation to the journey to the polling booth and then to the storage center and finally the counting center.
The debate surrounding EVMs reflects a broader issue of trust in the electoral process. While the ECI maintains that EVMs are secure and reliable, opposition parties continue to voice concerns. Addressing these concerns through increased transparency, public awareness campaigns, and ongoing dialogue between stakeholders is crucial for maintaining confidence in the integrity of Indian elections. The Supreme Court has also observed that allegations against Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) often emerge based on electoral outcomes rather than evidence.
