Solutions to the EVM Issue Before the 2019 General Election in India

India's Election Commission (EC) has long maintained that Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) are 100% tamper-proof; a position supported by various forums. However, continuous rectification is essential to address any issues that may arise in the system. This article explores potential solutions to address concerns regarding EVMs before the 2019 General Election in India.

The Reliability of EVMs

E.C. officials have repeatedly claimed that EVMs offer a high level of security and reliability. Despite this, the need for constant rectification to ensure the system's integrity cannot be overstated. Gouraswamy Krishna Murthy, a prominent figure in the discussion, emphasized the importance of maintaining the EVM system and ensuring that any flaws are promptly addressed.

EVM Programming and the BJP

It has been reported that EVMs were pre-programmed to vote for 330 seats allocated to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). This raises significant concerns about the fairness and transparency of the electoral process. Addressing these issues is crucial to maintaining public trust in the democratic system.

The Solution: Paper Trail for Verification

A viable solution to alleviate voter concerns and ensure transparency is to provide a paper trail of each vote cast. This would involve integrating a Voter-Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) system. By allowing each voter to verify their vote, this method would significantly enhance the voter's confidence in the electoral process. Although implementing a paper trail system may be expensive, it would effectively address the primary concerns about the EVM system.

Additionally, the EC should establish complaint cells to address any grievances. This would help build the necessary confidence among voters that they are participating in fair and free elections. Returning to a paper ballot system is not a practical solution for India, given its large population, which would require an impractically large quantity of ballot papers and would be operationally challenging.

Proposed Solutions for the 2019 General Election

Based on the challenges and concerns surrounding EVMs, two primary solutions can be proposed for the 2019 General Election:

Option 1: EVMs with VVPAT

Continue using EVMs but implement a VVPAT system to provide a paper trail for every vote. This solution ensures that the benefits of EVMs are retained while addressing the concerns about transparency and tamper-proofing. Providing a paper trail would help in verifying the EVM results and increasing voter confidence.

Option 2: Return to Paper Ballot System

If any political party opposes EVMs and cannot provide valid reasons, the election can be conducted using the traditional paper ballot system. While this option may be less practical for a country of India’s size, political parties can present concrete evidence against EVMs. However, the fact that no political party has successfully provided such proof argues against this option.

Conclusion

The path forward should prioritize transparency and voter confidence. A combination of EVMs with a reliable VVPAT system is the most practical and effective solution. Allowing for a robust paper audit trail would go a long way in addressing the concerns and ensuring the fairness and integrity of the 2019 General Election. The EC should also take steps to maintain public trust by addressing and resolving any issues that may arise in the EVM system.

Ultimately, the solution must be feasible and practical given India's unique demographic and logistical challenges. The use of technology in electoral processes is crucial for efficiency and security, but it must be supported by mechanisms that ensure transparency and voter satisfaction.