To offer a counter view: paper ballots were a huge source of fraud in India's elections until electronic voting machines were introduced. I don't wish to ever go back.
EVMs in India did reduce many of the previous issues with the paper ballot.
Some of the few security measures include:
- EVMs have no network connections. The EVMs are standalone and are connected to a control unit managed by the polling officials. They are sealed and secured after the polling is complete and unsealed only on counting day in the presence of election commission officials and authorized party observers who monitor the counting.
- EVMs use a VVPAT (voter verified paper audit trail) where the EVM prints a log that your vote has been cast with the candidate name and party symbol. It shows the printed output in a glass window for 7 seconds and then cuts that and drops it into a sealed box automatically. This box is sealed and secured at the end of polling.
VVPAT is used for secondary auditing if any instance of EVM tampering or other malpractice is alleged at the polling station.
It is still not perfect. There are some residual risks. But far better than the earlier system.
Some of the few security measures include:
- EVMs have no network connections. The EVMs are standalone and are connected to a control unit managed by the polling officials. They are sealed and secured after the polling is complete and unsealed only on counting day in the presence of election commission officials and authorized party observers who monitor the counting. - EVMs use a VVPAT (voter verified paper audit trail) where the EVM prints a log that your vote has been cast with the candidate name and party symbol. It shows the printed output in a glass window for 7 seconds and then cuts that and drops it into a sealed box automatically. This box is sealed and secured at the end of polling.
VVPAT is used for secondary auditing if any instance of EVM tampering or other malpractice is alleged at the polling station.
It is still not perfect. There are some residual risks. But far better than the earlier system.