The Hindu : Opinion / Letters to the Editor : On EVMs

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Thursday, Jun 18, 2009
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On EVMs

This refers to the article “Are electronic voting machines tamper-proof?” (June 17). When even technologically advanced countries such as Germany and Ireland have expressed scepticism over the working of EVMs, we can safely conclude that there is scope for foul play in India. As suggested, if the EVMs are designed to produce a hard copy for every registered vote, the possibility of abuse can be contained. Electronic gadgets are never foolproof.

S. Elangovan,

Kancheepuram

EVMs have brought about a desirable change in the way India votes. To my knowledge, EVMs use micro-processors, the programmes of which are etched in silicon during manufacture (masked controller in technical language). It cannot be changed even by the manufacturer once the micro is made. Also, the machine doesn’t know which key corresponds to which candidate as nothing is programmed in the machine on it.

B. Venkateswara Rao,

Secunderabad

Indeed, none has access to the software of the EVMs except the officers authorised by the Election Commission. Just because there are possibilities of tampering with EVMs, we should not conclude that the EVMs in India are tampered with. But it is the need of the hour to have more efficient, transparent and foolproof voting methods.

S. Kasimayan,

Madurai

While appreciating the concerns expressed by Dr. Subramanian Swamy on the credibility of the EVMs, it is not advisable to do away with the electronic mode of voting. What we must do is plug the loopholes and educate the electorate on the functioning of the EVMs.

S. Bijuram,

Palakkad

If India has moved away from a situation of rampant booth-capturing and blatant poll rigging to an almost incident-free poll process, it is mainly due to the advent of the EVMs. It is clear from people’s attitude that they have accepted them wholeheartedly and they have full faith in the machines. Nevertheless, the concerns aired by Dr. Swamy are serious.

The government and the Election Commission should upgrade the existing system to make it foolproof and people-friendly.

Y. Parameswaran Menon,

Thrissur

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