Features and Benefits of EVMs

1. Booth Capturing Prevention: EVMs significantly reduce the risk of booth capturing by limiting the rate of vote casting to four votes per minute. This limitation makes it challenging to stuff false votes quickly, thus enhancing the security of the voting process.
2. Elimination of Invalid Votes: EVMs have eliminated the issue of invalid votes, which was a common problem with paper ballots. This has streamlined the counting process and reduced disputes during result tabulation.
3. Eco-Friendly Approach: With a large electorate close to one billion, the use of EVMs is considered eco-friendly as it reduces the consumption of paper compared to traditional paper-based ballots.
4. Administrative Convenience: EVMs provide administrative convenience for polling officers on election day. They have made the voting and counting processes faster, more efficient, and less prone to errors, contributing to smoother election operations.
5. Integrity Mechanisms: EVMs are equipped with various integrity mechanisms:
   • Random allocation of EVMs to booths ensures fairness and prevents manipulation.
   • Conducting mock polls allows for the verification of EVM and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) functionality before the actual voting begins.
   • Sharing the serial number of EVMs along with the total votes polled with agents of candidates helps verify the accuracy of the voting data during the counting process.

Concerns

1. Hacking Susceptibility: Allegations of susceptibility to hacking have been raised, but the Election Commission of India (ECI) clarifies that EVMs are standalone devices without connectivity to external networks, reducing external hacking risks.
2. Sample Size Criticisms: The sample size for matching EVM counts with VVPAT slips has been criticized for lacking scientific criteria and potentially failing to detect defective EVMs during counting.
3. Booth-wise Polling Behavior: Some argue that identifying booth-wise polling behavior can lead to profiling and intimidation, raising concerns about voter privacy and fairness.

Proposed Solutions for Enhancing Confidence and Transparency

1. Scientific Sample Size for Matching: Adopting a scientific approach to determine the sample size for matching EVM counts with VVPAT slips can enhance accuracy and detection of errors.
2. Error Handling: Counting all VVPAT slips in case of detected errors ensures prompt resolution and transparency in addressing discrepancies.
3. Statistical Confidence: Thorough verification of VVPAT slips instills statistical confidence in the counting process, reducing doubts and enhancing trust in election results.
4. Totaliser Machines: Introducing totaliser machines at the booth level can prevent booth-wise profiling and intimidation by aggregating votes from multiple EVMs before revealing the candidate-wise count.
5. Transparency and Comprehensibility: Ensuring transparency in how votes are recorded, counted, and verified is crucial for maintaining trust in the electoral system. Citizens should be able to comprehend and verify the steps in the election process without requiring specialized technical knowledge.