In the light of recent controversy regarding the use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVM), what are the challenges before the Election Commission of India to ensure the trustworthiness of elections in India?

Challenges to Trustworthiness of Elections

Several challenges confront the ECI in maintaining public trust in the electoral process:

• Technical Concerns: Allegations of EVM hacking, tampering, or malfunction persist, fueled by a lack of complete transparency in the EVM’s source code and security protocols.
• Procedural Lapses: Concerns regarding the storage, transportation, and maintenance of EVMs, particularly the chain of custody, raise doubts about potential manipulation.
• Lack of Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) Verification: While VVPATs were introduced to provide a physical record of votes, complete verification across all polling stations remains a logistical challenge.
• Misinformation and Disinformation: The spread of false narratives and conspiracy theories through social media platforms erodes public confidence in the electoral process.
• Political Polarization: Heightened political polarization can lead to increased suspicion and distrust, even in the absence of concrete evidence of wrongdoing.

Existing Safeguards by the ECI

The ECI has implemented several measures to ensure the integrity of elections:

• Multi-Layer Security: EVMs are secured through multiple layers of protection, including physical security, technical safeguards, and procedural checks.
• Randomization: The allocation of EVMs to polling stations is done through a rigorous randomization process, ensuring fairness.
• Mock Polls: Mock polls are conducted before the actual voting to demonstrate the functionality of EVMs and address voter concerns.
• VVPAT Implementation: VVPATs are now used in all polling stations, allowing voters to verify their votes.
• EVM Manufacturing and Storage: EVMs are manufactured by public sector undertakings (PSUs) like Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Electronics Corporation of India Limited (ECIL) and stored securely under strict supervision.
• Symbol Loading: The symbol loading process is conducted in the presence of representatives of national and regional political parties.

Enhancing Trustworthiness: Way Forward

To further bolster the trustworthiness of elections, the ECI can consider the following measures:

• Independent Audit of Source Code: Commissioning an independent, credible audit of the EVM’s source code by cybersecurity experts to address concerns about potential vulnerabilities.
• Enhanced VVPAT Verification: Increasing the percentage of polling stations where VVPAT slips are counted and matched with EVM results. Ideally, 100% verification should be the goal.
• Strengthening Chain of Custody: Implementing stricter protocols for the storage, transportation, and maintenance of EVMs, with real-time tracking and monitoring.
• Public Awareness Campaigns: Launching comprehensive public awareness campaigns to educate voters about the EVM’s security features and the electoral process.
• Collaboration with Cybersecurity Experts: Establishing a permanent advisory panel of cybersecurity experts to provide ongoing guidance on EVM security.
• Legislative Framework: Enacting a specific law governing the use of EVMs, outlining security protocols, audit procedures, and penalties for tampering.
• Addressing Misinformation: Collaborating with social media platforms to combat the spread of misinformation and disinformation related to elections.

The ECI could also explore the feasibility of incorporating blockchain technology to enhance the transparency and security of the electoral process, though this requires careful consideration of its scalability and potential vulnerabilities.