Explained: How EVMs are secured by the Election Commission

NEW DELHI: Ahead of counting of votes on May 23, the BJP and the opposition are at loggerheads over alleged movement and tampering of electronic voting machines (EVMs). Leaders of 22 opposition parties approached the Election Commission and presented video clipping allegedly showing the 'unauthorised' movement of EVMs, and also demanded verification of VVPAT slips before counting of votes on the voting machines. The BJP called the opposition's charge an 'albi in the face of imminent defeat'.
The EC has dismissed the charge, calling them 'frivolous' and 'unfounded', adding that the voting machines using for the elections are 'absolutely safe' in strongrooms and the clipping being circulated did not 'pertain to any EVMs used during the polls.'

SPECIAL VEHICLES
EVMs are transferred from polling stations to designated strongrooms by state buses, private trucks, jeeps and other vehicles hired by EC, and police vehicles, depending on how logistics are decided by the district election officer.
SECURITY
A joint team of central and state police forces accompanies the vehicles transporting EVMs/VVPATs. The presiding officer of each centre is supposed to accompany the vehicles.

USE OF TECHNOLOGY
EC is using technology to ensure tamper-proof transfer of EVMs and VVPATs to polling stations, and after voting to strongrooms.
Some officials will have body-worn cameras, while drone cameras are to be used for aerial monitoring. Then there are vehicles that have been fitted with GPS and Geographic Information System (GIS) to track their movements, besides a personnel tracking system.
An EVM has two units: control unit and balloting unit, joined by a cable. A control unit, which is kept with the polling officer, can have more than one balloting unit attached to it.
As many as 33 strongrooms have been set up for transferring EVMs and VVPATs after polling, located at headquarters and designated centres at important cities.
ARE STRONGROOMS AIR-CONDITIONED?
No, as the authorities have ruled out ‘temperature shock’ issues for EVMs and VVPATs. The only environment-linked precaution is for VVPATs, as the printing on vote slips is photo-sensitive. Thus, it is ensured that they are not exposed to light.
HOW MANY SECURITY PERSONNEL?
The number of personnel put on duty at a strongroom remains undisclosed. This is done apparently so would-be miscreants do not get an idea of the exact extent of security arrangements.