Lok Sabha Elections 2024: All you need to know about EVMs & their 3 pillars
Lok Sabha Elections 2024: The idea of EVMs was developed by the Electronics Corporation of India Ltd (ECIL) in Hyderabad in 1979.
Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) are devices used to conduct electronic voting in elections, Known for their reliability, EVMs have been a significant part of elections in India, replacing the traditional ballot papers. Hare are a few important facts to know about this revolutionary device:
3 Pillars of EVMs: Ballot Unit, Control Unit, VVPAT
An EVM consists of three main components: the Ballot Unit, the Control Unit and the Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT)
What is the Ballot Unit?
The Ballot Unit is the section of the EVM that interacts with the voter. It displays the names and symbols of the candidates or political parties. Voters select their preferred candidate by pressing the button next to the candidate’s name, which records their vote.
What is the Control Unit?
The Control Unit is the central processing unit of the EVM, or simply the brain of the EVM. It is operated by the polling officer and controls the Ballot Unit. It also stores the votes cast and ensures the proper functioning of the EVM during the voting process.
What is VVPAT? How does it help?
The Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail, or VVPAT, is a feature that allows voters to verify their vote.
After casting a vote, the VVPAT prints a slip with the candidate’s serial number, name and symbol, which the voter can see through a transparent window for verification.
History
The idea of EVMs was developed by the Electronics Corporation of India Ltd (ECIL) in Hyderabad in 1979.
In 1992, Parliament inserted Section 61A in the Representation of the People Act and rules, validating the use of EVMs.
How Kerala began the prototype
EVMs were used for the first time in India during the Assembly elections in Kerala. Specifically, they were deployed in 50 booths of the Paravur Assembly constituency in Ernakulam in 1982.