Gradual introduction of electronic voting machines (EVMs) for replacing use of ballot papers for casting votes is likely to be the key issue at the Election Commission's scheduled meeting with leaders of political parties on Wednesday.
The commission is determined to push the political parties to take a stand on this, although other issues like revision of electoral rolls, raising election ceiling expenditure and state funding of election also figure in the commission's agenda of electoral reforms.
After a meeting with chief electoral officers (CEOs) of different states in January, the commission decided to impress upon the political parties the need to adopt EVMs. The commission has already procured 1.5 lakh EVMs costing Rs 75 crore. These machines are now lying with the CEOs.
The main reason why these machines could not be put to use is because of doubts raised by some political parties about the credibility of the machines and their fool-proof working, says the commission's agenda paper, which has been circulated to all political parties for the May 7 meeting.
EVMs will make voting easier, quicker and smoother, the commission believes. By eliminating the use of ballot boxes, the EVMs would save paper and printing cost and also other stationary related cost. There would be total elimination of invalid votes.
Besides other advantages, the machines can record 3, 840 votes. This may help to reduce the number of polling stations, which today is eight lakh. One polling station has about 1, 000 electors. Its disadvantage, however, is its incapability of being used in constituencies where the number of contesting candidates is up to 64. Also counting of votes, though quicker under this system, would have to be done polling station-wise and not by mixing of votes of many polling stations.
The use of EVMs is not new as it was first introduced during the assembly elections in Kerala in 1982. In 1982-83, the machines were used in different circumstances. As per the commission's findings, voting by EVMs was found to be easier and consumed less time compared to the conventional system.
The Parliament amended the law in 1988 and empowered the commission to use voting machines during elections. In 1990, the issue of EVMs' use was examined by the Central government's electoral reforms committee, which appointed a technical experts committee to examine the technical details.
After examining the machines minutely, the committee recommended the use of EVMs without further loss of time. The electoral reforms committee then recommended to the government that the machines be used in all future bye-elections and general elections to the Lok Sabha, state assemblies and also panchayat and local bodies.
In December 1995, the commission explored the possibility of using EVMs in select constituencies, such as, in urban areas, Union Territories or in areas with high literacy. It sought views of various national and state parties.
Most of the these parties agreed in principle with the commission's viewpoint on the use of EVMs, although they were apprehensive about its use by illiterate people. The BJP did not reply to the commission's request.
The Samata Party sought to know the alternative, in case the system failed during the crucial hour. EVMs have often been faulty, making it necessary to resort to voice voting or slip voting, it pointed out.
The commission has planned a number of steps for EVM's successful introduction. These include printing of manuals, literature and pamphlets, training of officials and staff dealing with election related works and training of candidates and electors.
On the agenda of election expenses of candidates and political parties, the commission has proposed that the expenditure incurred by political parties, other bodies or associations, or individuals in relation to a candidate is also included in the account of election expenses of such candidate. The total expenditure must fall within the prescribed limit.
This provision may become contentious as candidates take help from various quarters during their election campaign, particularly their respective political party. Clubbing all expenditure as a candidate's expenditure may create practical difficulties.
The proposal for revising election expenses for a standard parliamentary constituency and to make it more realistic would find many takers as almost all parties agree that the ceiling should be raised. The commission has suggested that the ceiling limit of Rs 15 lakh for a standard parliamentary constituency and Rs 6 lakh for assembly constituency should be considered reasonable.
The commission proposes that the power to revise the limits of election expenses should be vested in it, so that it can revise such limits from time to time on the eve of general elections.
What is EVM?
An electronic voting machine or EVM consists of two units - control unit and balloting unit, which are connected by a cable. It can be used anywhere as it is operated by a simple magnesium battery of six volts.
The voter is required to press the button positioned opposite the name and symbol of the candidate of his choice. In ballot voting, a voter uses the arrow-cross-mark rubber stamp on, or near the symbol of his choice.
The signature or thumb impression of a voter is proposed to be obtained in a register as against the counterfoil of the ballot paper under the existing system.
