As soon as the election date is announced, political parties in India begin their preparations for the upcoming battle. With a shift from paper ballots to Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), the electoral process has evolved significantly. But what happens to these machines after the votes are cast? The EVMs are stored in highly secure strong rooms, and after the results are declared, they are kept for 45 days before being moved to a storage facility. Before the next election, they are retrieved, and the integrity of each machine is verified by representatives from political parties before being reused.
EVMs: Beyond the Election Day
Background
Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) have revolutionized the electoral process in India, replacing the traditional paper ballot system. EVMs offer greater accuracy, efficiency, and security, reducing the instances of fraud and malpractices. However, the journey of EVMs extends well beyond the election day.
Post-Election Storage and Verification
As soon as the election date is announced, political parties gear up for the electoral battle. With the introduction of EVMs, the electoral process has undergone a significant change. After the votes are cast, the EVMs are sealed and stored in highly secure strong rooms under the watchful eyes of representatives from political parties and election officials.
After the election results are declared, the EVMs are kept in the strong rooms for a period of 45 days. During this time, the machines are closely monitored to prevent any tampering or unauthorized access. The integrity of the EVMs is also verified by representatives from political parties.
Storage Facility and Retrieval for Future Elections
Once the 45-day period elapses, the EVMs are moved to a dedicated storage facility. They are safely stored and maintained for the next electoral cycle. Before the next election, the EVMs are retrieved from the storage facility and the integrity of each machine is once again verified by representatives from political parties.
FAQs
1. How often are EVMs replaced or upgraded?
EVMs are typically upgraded every 5-7 years to incorporate new security features and technological advancements. However, they are not replaced unless they develop technical faults or become outdated.
2. Can EVMs be hacked or manipulated?
EVMs are designed with multiple layers of security to prevent hacking or manipulation. They are sealed in tamper-evident cases and have built-in mechanisms to detect any unauthorized access.
3. What happens to invalid votes cast in EVMs?
Invalid votes are not recorded by EVMs. They are typically identified during the counting process and are not included in the final tally.
4. How transparent is the EVM storage and verification process?
The entire storage and verification process is transparent and open to observation by representatives from political parties and election officials. The machines are sealed in front of witnesses and stored in secure facilities.
5. What is the role of political parties in the EVM verification process?
Political parties play a crucial role in ensuring the integrity of EVMs. They have the right to verify the machines before and after elections to ensure that there has been no tampering or manipulation.
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