Explained: Can I unlock EVM using OTP received on my smartphone? | Indian News

Two weeks after the Lok Sabha election results were announced, the electronic voting machine debate is in the news again. There were reports that at the Centre, a mobile phone from a data operator was found in the hands of an aide of the winning candidate, Shiv Sena’s Ravindra Waikar. This triggered allegations of rigging of the electronic voting machines. Waikar defeated Kirtikar by just 48 votes, the smallest margin in the country. Some reports said that the OTP to unlock the electronic voting machine was received on a smartphone.

Vandana Suryavanshi, an election officer for North West Mumbai, said the phone was only able to access the Election Commission’s ENCORE application. ENCORE is a comprehensive application designed for election officials. It helps digitize polling results, aggregate data round by round, and generate various statutory reports during the counting process.

Now the question is – Can the EVM be unlocked using OTP?

The answer is no. Electronic voting machines are standalone devices that are not connected to any external device like WiFi, smartphones, any network or computer. Electronic voting machines are neither connected to any internet source nor to any computer.

What is EVM?

EVM has three components – Ballot Unit, Control Unit and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPT). These machines together form a system that allows voters to cast their votes and verify that their votes are correct. These units are connected together by cables.

What is a voting unit?

A voting machine is a device with the logo of a political party/candidate pasted next to the button. The voter presses the button next to the candidate of his choice to cast his vote. The voting machine and VVPAT are kept in the voting cubicle for use and verification by the voter.

What is a Control Unit?

In simple terms, the control unit enables the voting machine to accept votes from voters and store the results. The control unit also sends a signal to the VVPAT to print out the symbol of the button pressed on the voting machine. The control unit is left with the presiding officer at the polling station.

What is VVPAT?

VVPAT is nothing but a printer with 4 MB flash memory in which voting symbols are stored in image format so that the symbols are printed at the time of voting. ECI has informed the court that even the EVM manufacturers do not know which button will be allotted to which political party or candidate. Even the machines are randomly selected to be sent to different polling stations. ECI also told the court that voting machines run on firmware and the program cannot be changed.