An electronic voting machine is a device used to electronically record and count votes cast in elections. In India, it is used for state assembly elections, Lok Sabha elections, and Panchayat elections.

Facts to know about EVM

  • EVM consists of Ballot Unit, Control Unit, and  Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail
  • Used for the first time in the by-elections to the Parur Constituency of Kerala in 1982.
  • Bharat Electronics Limited and Electronics Corporation of India Limited are the entities manufacturing EVM.
  • EVM does not require any external power supply.
  • EVM can record a maximum of 2,000 votes.
  • Each Ballot Unit can cater to 16 candidates, including NOTA.

Advantages of EVM over Ballot Box

  • EVM will help reduce the chances of ballot paper tampering.
  • Invalid votes generated in ballot paper voting can be minimised and even people with low literacy can easily use it.
  • It is very much eco-friendly, saving a lot of paper.
  • Result declaration will be easier and speedier.
  • Analysis of the voting pattern can be easily undertaken.

Elections still using  Ballot Box

 

Source: The Hindu