These machines are not connected to any internet network, so it is not possible to hack themMany cases have been filed so far regarding EVM tampering It is difficult to vote for them by pressing the button quickly
As soon as Elon Musk, the owner of many technology based industries, x-micro blogging site and SpaceX, said that EVMs can be hacked, discussions have started again. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has also raised questions on the authenticity of EVM machines. However, there has been a debate between both the ruling and the opposition regarding EVMs. Just before the elections, the matter related to this also went to the Supreme Court. Then the Election Commission tried to prove on the basis of many techniques that there is no question of hacking in this machine. Let us know everything about this entire matter and EVM in the form of questions and answers.
Is ballot box safe or EVM?
Before EVMs, elections were conducted in our country through ballot boxes. Voters used to vote for candidates by stamping on a paper in the ballot box. Then all the ballot papers were kept at one place and counted. The results were announced after counting. This entire process was manual. It took a lot of time. Sometimes it took 2 to 3 days for all the results to come.
After that EVM came. All work started happening quickly with EVM. The history of using EVM is very old. It was first used in local elections in California, USA in 1974. After this, a better electronic voting machine was used in Illinois, Chicago. In 1975, the US government appointed an officer to prepare a report on these machines.
How safe are EVMs from tampering after voting
Used for the first time in India in 1982
In India, such machines were first used in a by-election in Kerala in 1982 but the court rejected the use of these machines. Belgium was the first country where electronic voting machines were used in elections in 1991. But its full use there also started in 1999 in the true sense. In India, after its first use in 1982, it was widely used in the 2003 elections.
In the 80s, on the suggestion of the Government of India, two public sector undertakings of the country, Bharat Electronics Limited and Electronic Corporation of India Limited, started working on e-voting machines. After developing this machine, they sought the opinion of the Election Commission of India about it. The Election Commission committee approved it with some amendments and suggestions for some changes in the design.
Even today, EVMs are manufactured in the country by these two Navratna enterprises of India, Bharat Electronics Limited and Electronic Corporation of India. These are also exported to some countries. Elections conducted with these machines are cheaper as compared to ballot boxes.
Many questions are constantly being asked about EVMs. Here we will try to clarify every aspect of it through those questions.
Can EVMs work without electricity?
Yes, these do not require any kind of electricity. These run on the batteries attached to them.
How many votes can be recorded in one EVM?
The EVMs used by the Election Commission of India can record up to 2000 votes
How long does the vote remain recorded in their memory?
The data of votes can remain recorded in the memory of EVM control unit for a long time, its memory data does not get damaged.
![can EVMs be hacked why do tampering questions arise in every election](https://images.AnyTV.com/ibnkhabar/uploads/2020/02/Delhi-elections.jpg)
Long queues were seen during voting in Delhi
What is the life of an EVM?
Usually 16-17 years or more
How many candidates’ names can be registered in one EVM?
Earlier M2 EVMs were available, one unit of which had buttons to select 16 candidates, if there were more candidates, a separate unit had to be installed. More units can be added to the M3 machines being used now.
How much do these machines cost?
The price of M2 EVM is Rs 8670 while the price of M3 EVM is Rs 17000.
Is it possible to tamper with them, can buttons be pressed quickly on them?
No, this is not possible. After every vote, the control unit has to be prepared for the next vote. Therefore, it is difficult to vote by quickly pressing the button.
Can these machines be hacked?
Since these machines are not connected to any internet network, it is not possible to hack them. Although it was also claimed that these machines have their own frequency, through which they can be hacked, but such claims were not found to be true. But one thing is said that the machine can be physically manipulated. That is, if this machine comes in someone’s hands, then he can manipulate its results.
How many cases have been filed so far regarding EVMs?
So far, many cases have been filed in the High Courts of many states regarding tampering of EVMs. This matter even reached the Supreme Court but the Supreme Court dismissed it.
How long are EVM results usually kept safe?
After counting of votes, EVMs are locked in a strong room and kept safely. Its data is not deleted until the time for election petition comes.
Tags: Election Commission of India, vote counting
FIRST PUBLISHED : June 16, 2024, 19:49 IST