What is EVM and VVPAT and how Do They Work?

What are EVM and VVPAT and how Do They Work?: In the contemporary world of elections, ensuring transparency and fairness is paramount. To achieve this, various technologies have been employed, with Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trails (VVPATs) being at the forefront. In this blog post, we’ll delve into what EVMs and VVPATs are and how they work together to safeguard the integrity of the voting process.

What is EVM and VVPAT and how Do They Work?

Electronic Voting Machine (EVM):

What is an EVM?

An Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) is a device used to record votes in an election. It was introduced to eliminate the drawbacks associated with traditional paper ballots, such as time-consuming counting processes and the potential for human errors.

How does an EVM work?

1. Initialization: Before voting begins, the EVM is initialized by an authorized officer. This involves testing the machine to ensure it’s functioning properly and has no pre-recorded votes.
2. Voting: During voting, the voter selects their preferred candidate by pressing the corresponding button on the EVM next to the candidate’s name and symbol. The EVM can accommodate multiple candidates in a single constituency.
3. Recording the Vote: Once the voter casts their vote, the EVM records it electronically.
4. Counting: After the voting period ends, the EVMs are sealed, and the votes are counted. The EVMs provide a tally of votes for each candidate, simplifying the counting process.

Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT):

What is VVPAT?

The Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) is a method used to provide feedback to voters using a paper slip. It allows voters to verify if their vote has been cast correctly.

How does VVPAT work?

1. Printing: When a voter casts their vote using an EVM, the VVPAT attached to the EVM prints a paper slip containing the serial number, the name and symbol of the candidate voted for, and a visual verification of the vote cast.
2. Display: The printed slip is displayed behind a transparent window for a few seconds, allowing the voter to verify if the vote cast matches their choice.
3. Dropping into Ballot Box: After the voter verifies the slip, it drops into a sealed ballot box, which can be used for manual counting or as a backup in case of disputes.

How EVM and VVPAT work together:

EVMs and VVPATs work in conjunction to ensure the integrity of the voting process:

• Transparency: VVPATs provide a paper trail that allows voters to verify that their votes are accurately recorded by the EVM.
• Auditability: In case of disputes or recounts, the paper trail provided by VVPATs serves as a physical record for verification.
• Security: EVMs are designed with various security features to prevent tampering and ensure the confidentiality and integrity of the voting process.

In conclusion, EVMs and VVPATs have revolutionized the electoral process by providing a more efficient, transparent, and secure means of voting. While EVMs facilitate electronic voting, VVPATs add an extra layer of verification and trust, assuring voters of the accuracy of their votes. Together, they play a crucial role in upholding the democratic principles of fairness and transparency in elections.