The voting for the seventh and final phase of the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections covering 54 seats started today to decide the fate of 613 candidates. The seats going for polling today include Prime Minister Narendra Modi‘s parliamentary constituency Varanasi.
Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) is an electronic device for recording votes. EVMs were introduced in India on an experimental basis in 1998 in a select few constituencies in state assembly elections. After initial success, EVMs were rolled out in a phased manner for subsequent assembly elections. EVMs replaced paper ballots across the country from 2001 onwards with the objective of strengthening the electoral processes as well as reduce the cost of conducting elections.
How to vote with EVM machine
Instead of issuing a ballot paper, the Polling Officer in-charge of the Control Unit releases a ballot by pressing the Ballot Button on the Control Unit. This enables the voter to cast his vote by pressing the blue button on the Balloting Unit against the candidate and symbol of his choice.
How do EVMs run
These EVMs do not require electricity. EVMs run on an ordinary battery assembled by Bharat Electronics Limited/Electronics Corporation of India Limited. Every EVM being used by Election Commission of India can record a maximum of 2,000 votes. The EVMs have been devised and designed by the Technical Experts Committee (TEC) of the Election Commission in collaboration with two Public Sector undertakings viz, Bharat Electronics LtdBangalore and Electronic Corporation of India Ltd, Hyderabad.