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Enhancing Trust in India's Electoral Process: A Debate on EVMs and VVPATs

  • Writer: Editorial Writer
    Editorial Writer
  • Apr 6, 2024
  • 2 min read

Summary:

The implementation of Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trails (VVPATs) alongside Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in Indian elections aimed to heighten transparency and voter confidence has sparked diverse opinions. While some advocate for a comprehensive machine audit trail to counter potential tampering, others point out new vulnerabilities introduced by VVPATs. Amidst these technical debates, a political call for a 100% VVPAT recount challenges the existing sampling method's sufficiency. The Supreme Court's engagement with petitions on this matter underscores the complex dialogue surrounding electoral integrity in India.


Important Points:

  • Audit Trail Proposal: Suggestions to include a detailed log of executed commands in EVMs aim to address concerns over possible tampering, proposing an enhancement over the current system.

  • VVPAT Vulnerabilities: The integration of VVPATs, while increasing transparency, is argued to introduce potential security risks, necessitating improved safeguard measures.

  • 100% Recount Debate: The demand for a full VVPAT recount, especially from parties like Congress, contrasts with the established practice of sampling, raising questions about trust in the electoral machinery.

  • Supreme Court's Involvement: The apex court's consideration of petitions demanding a complete VVPAT recount reflects the ongoing scrutiny of India's electoral processes.

Additional Information to Remember:

  • EVM Reliability: Despite concerns, there has been no substantiated evidence of EVM tampering, with issues primarily attributed to operational glitches or human errors.

  • Sample Size Adjustment: Enhancing the statistical significance of VVPAT recounts through tailored sample sizes or focused recounts in closely contested constituencies could offer a middle ground.

  • Trust and Transparency: The debate over electoral integrity underscores a broader challenge of building trust in the technological and procedural aspects of voting in India.

Key Words and Descriptions:

  • Electronic Voting Machine (EVM): A digital device used to record votes in elections, designed to improve the efficiency and integrity of the electoral process.

  • Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT): An adjunct system to EVMs that allows voters to verify their vote through a printed paper slip, enhancing transparency.

  • Machine Audit Trail: A detailed record of all commands executed by a computer system, proposed for EVMs to ensure a transparent and tamper-proof electoral process.

  • Sampling Method: A statistical method used to infer the accuracy of election results by recounting VVPAT slips from a selected number of polling booths, rather than a full recount.


Published in : The Hindu

Date appeared in newspaper : 05 April 2024


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