Page 50 - voice-international-oct2022

Novel Endeavours

Notably, the long queues of voters at the EVM counting process is conducted with the help of a
centers in the aforementioned elections indicated single machine. All voters in Brazil and India use it
their lack of interest in voting with modern in all types of elections. DRE voting systems are also
technology. Young and middle-aged voters voted widely practiced in Venezuela and the United States.
more comfortably in EVMs. Voters voted with their
own enthusiasm in the EVM. The opinion of the The Way Forward
voters is that they have been able to vote safely Despite some opposition’s allegations, there was
and easily in a short time by using EVMs. Because no scope for rigging in the use of the EVM system.
the benefits of digital Bangladesh are now visible to Because it requires the biometrics of the presiding
everyone like daylight. Thus, the interest of many or assistant presiding officer to operate, no one
voters in using EVM in city corporation elections could operate without them. For some reason, the
has been known and trained manpower has also machine was broken but the votes received were
been developed for its use. In fact, teaching the not lost. The card of the machine only contains the
concerned officials and voters how to use EVMs information of the voters of that center so no one
and making people mentally ready will increase its else could vote. And no one could delete someone’s
popularity. vote. Even if someone presses the button multiple
Electronic voting systems are one of the ways times, the first vote remains the same. Again, the
to strengthen the democratic process in the 21st smart card for use in the machine is with the officer
century by allowing voters to reflect their own in charge, so it was of no use even if someone else
opinions. Machines or electronic equipment are occupied the booth room.
used to cast votes so the overall process is known On the other hand, if the responsible officer
as Electronic Voting Machine or ‘EVM’. Its other presses the close switch from the control unit at
name is ‘e-voting’. In the electronic process, it is the end of the specified time, there is no more
capable of both accurate application of votes and opportunity to vote. EVMs are not connected to
speedy counting of votes. It has also gradually the internet in any way, hence cannot be hacked,
gained acceptance across the world as a transparent voting can be done at the center where the EVM
and fair area of voting. The EVM system was first is used. When the voter comes to vote, he is given
observed in 1964 in the elections of 7 states of the the opportunity to vote by verifying with a smart
United States; Gradually the issue of taking votes card or identity card number, or fingerprinter. After
through punch cards became popular. verification with one of these, the voter’s picture is
Votes have already been taken in different shown on a projector which is also seen by all the
countries of the world using EVMs. These include candidate’s agents and then he gets access to the
India, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Estonia, secret voting room.
European Union, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, After being identified as a valid voter, the voter
Netherlands, Norway, Peru, Romania, Switzerland, appears in a secret room known as a ballot unit.
the United Kingdom, Venezuela, the Philippines, On entering there, he found the ballot paper in
etc. In these countries, EVMs are mainly used in the machine and voted by pressing the button
polling stations as polling places. It is also possible next to the symbol. After voting, the symbol of the
to implement e-voting using the internet, personal candidate you voted for appears on the screen.
computer networks, and telephones. This is the confirmation for the voter as to which
Newer optical scan voting systems use punch mark, he has voted for. When the voter presses the
cards and optical scanners. In this method, a voter confirm button, a sound is heard to indicate that
marks the ballot paper and votes. On the other his vote has been cast. The entire process of EVM is
hand, in DR EVM (Direct Recording Electronic Voting transparent and convenient.
Machine) voting system, the vote collection and

50 | VoICE International | October 2022