Written By Darshan M (Grade 12)
In the world’s most populous democracy, where a staggering 900 million voters participate in the electoral process, ensuring the sanctity and safety of the voting system is of utmost importance. India employs Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) for its election processes, a technology implemented since the early 2000s. Yet, a lot of concern persists among many regarding the vulnerability of Indian Electronic Voting Machines to hacking.
India implemented Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in response to the widespread problems of ballot tampering and electoral fraud associated with traditional paper ballots. The Election Commission of India (ECI) successfully implemented EVMs on a national scale during the 2004 general elections, implementing a new era of secure and efficient voting processes. EVMs have since become an integral component of Indian elections, used for their speed and accuracy in delivering timely results.
The Indian Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) are meticulously crafted as self-contained entities without any internet or network connectivity, thereby eliminating the risk of remote manipulation. Comprising of the Ballot Unit (BU) and Control Unit (CU), linked by a cable, the voter’s selection on the BU is seamlessly transmitted and stored in the CU. This simple design serves to safeguard the credibility and reliability of the voting process.
The standout feature of Indian EVMs lies in their self-contained design, ensuring unparalleled security. By operating independently from external networks, these machines eliminate the threat of cyber-attacks or remote hacking. Furthermore, their tamper-proof construction guarantees that any unauthorized access or tampering is easily detectable, safeguarding the integrity of the voting process.
Each and every EVM undergoes a thorough examination process at various intervals before an election. This includes a comprehensive First Level Checking (FLC) conducted by skilled engineers from Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Electronics Corporation of India Limited (ECIL), the renowned manufacturers of EVMs. Subsequently, the machines are carefully sealed and safeguarded under the controlled oversight of the Election Commission of India (ECI) and delegates from political parties. Stringent measures are implemented to ensure the EVMs remain under constant surveillance, thereby avoiding any unauthorized tampering.
Despite the efforts made to enhance security measures, allegations regarding the credibility of Indian EVMs to hacking remain prevalent. Multiple political entities and individuals have expressed concerns about potential weaknesses in these machines. Accusations have been made by several political parties alleging that EVMs were tampered with to benefit specific candidates or parties. These allegations frequently arise after elections, particularly when the outcomes are unexpected.
In every election cycle, accusations of EVM tampering by opposition parties have been common. Despite these claims, the Election Commission has consistently affirmed the security of EVMs. This assurance was further solidified by the Supreme Court’s dismissal of petitions asking for a full tally of EVM votes with VVPAT slips, as it was impractical. A comprehensive report from 2019 stated that tampering with EVMs is only possible with physical access, which is effectively not possible by the strict sealing procedures implemented by the ECI.
Throughout multiple election cycles, opposition parties nationwide have raised concerns over potential tampering or manipulation of EVMs. Most recently, Bhupesh Baghel of the Congress party, a candidate in the Chhattisgarh elections, has alleged tampering with EVMs. Baghel shared a detailed chart showcasing discrepancies in the numbers reported in Form 17C following the voting in his constituency of Rajnandgaon. This is just one example of the numerous allegations made by parties such as Congress, SP, TMC, and others, all pointing toward the possibility of EVM tampering.
Experts and many other political thinkers have organized public displays illustrating the lack of security of Electronic Voting Machines during elections. Some examples include a demonstration led by esteemed researcher Hari Prasad in 2010, which showcased the vulnerabilities of EVMs through the manipulation of an external device. While others contended that no electronic system is immune to breaches, highlighting potential weaknesses such as hardware tampering, malicious coding, and the risk of compromise during the machine’s transit and safeguarding.
Prominent political figures, including Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, have raised concerns about the integrity of the recent election results, specifically accusing Shiv Sena candidate Ravindra Waikar of EVM manipulation. The BJP has called for legal action against those spreading misinformation, while poll official Vandana Suryavanshi has dismissed the accusations as false and issued a defamation notice to the publication in question.
According to a report by Mid-Day, Mangesh Pandilkar, who is the brother-in-law of Ravindra Waikar, was accused of using a mobile phone to tamper with an EVM during the vote counting process. However, these allegations were refuted by Vandana Suryavanshi and the Mumbai police. Pandilkar and polling official Dinesh Gurav have been accused by the Vanrai Police Station of violating the Election Commission’s prohibition on mobile phones within counting centers, as per Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code.
In response to these concerns and to promote transparency, the ECI implemented the Voter-Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) system in 2013. This innovative system involves using machines connected to EVMs and producing a printed receipt displaying the voter’s choice, allowing them to verify it before it is securely stored. This approach ensures a tangible paper record for each vote, facilitating manual verification and potential audits if necessary. The views of experts on the security of Indian EVMs are varied, with some asserting their strong security measures based on their self-contained design and multiple layers of protection. On the other hand, some stress the imperfection of any system and want strict assessment and enhancement of security protocols.
The Election Commission has consistently asserted that Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) are secure and immune to hacking or tampering. According to the EC, EVMs are not computer-controlled, operate independently, and are never connected to any external network, eliminating any possibility of remote hacking. The Commission has emphasised the serious security measures in place to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process.
The Election Commission of India has also presented to the Supreme Court an extensive 450-page affidavit, detailing that Electronic Voting Machines cannot be tampered with. The ECI added that EVMs are solitary devices equipped with irreversible programmable chips. Furthermore, the ECI has also implemented rigorous technical and administrative measures to ensure the absolute integrity of the EVMs, thereby eliminating any possibility of manipulation or tampering.
Officials from the Election Commission of India and other experts in the field, confidently affirm the credibility and secure voting of the EVMs. They emphasise their proven track record in successfully conducting elections without notable instances of widespread tampering. On the other hand, critics urge against being overly confident, warning of potential internal manipulation and the ever-evolving methods of hacking that require continuous monitoring and enhancements to the system. They also emphasise the importance of increased transparency and impartial audits.
The debate surrounding the vulnerability of Indian Electronic Voting Machines to hacking is a complex one. Despite the presence of strong security features, doubts about their sure system still remain. The implementation of VVPAT has enhanced transparency, yet it is imperative to remain vigilant, conduct regular audits, and make policy enhancements to safeguard the integrity of the electoral system. In a country as large and varied as India, preserving the security and credibility of the voting mechanism will always keep a check on democracy and its progress without compromising the credibility of the voting process.
Featured Image Courtesy – bpac.in
