- P1: Electronic Voting Machine (EVM): Basics
- P2: Voter verifiable paper audit trail (VVPAT)
- P3: EVM Totalizer to prevent Voter Victimization?
- CSAT Sample MCQs
- Correct answers for MCQs
P1: Electronic Voting Machine (EVM): Basics
EVM is madeup of two units
- Control unit (CU)
- with the presiding officer.
- It’s memory lasts for ten years (even without constant electricity supply).
- It’s chip as date-time stamping facility to find out when exactly the keys were pressed.
- Additional unit that can be attached with CU
- Auxiliary display unit (ADU): to view the data, if the original display panel of Control Unit gets damaged.
- EVM totalizer: can be attached to upto 14 Control units
- Balloting unit (BU)
- one unit has 16 buttons, maximum 4 units can be joined
- means 16 x 4 =64 candidates.
- if >64 candidates then paper ballot system has to be used.
- Additionally, we can attached a VVPAT unit with BU

Components of an Electronic Voting Machine (EVM)
EVM: Other features
- If one unit malfunctions, no need to re-start polling again. You can join a spare EVM & resume public from the queue.
- Programming code is “Burnt” into the microprocessor chip (P-ROM). This fused program cannot be overwritten, altered or copied.
- It has no networking connectivity, so hacking via LAN/wifi is impossible. [American EVM can be controled through network & remote control.].
- EVM randomization: noone knows the serial number of EVMs in advance, before they’re shipped to the booth.
- Invalid votes impossible because you cannot give vote to more than one candidate for given election. (in paper-ballot some idiots would put stamp on multiple candidates = invalid votes.)
- Same EVM can be simultaneously used for both LokSabha + Vidhansabha elections. (in such case, you’ll have to press vote button for two names. and there will be two “NOTA” buttons as well. Observe following photo)

Yes, same EVM can be used simultaneously for two elections!
EVM makes Booth capturing difficult because
- EVM can record maximum five votes per minute. So the Goonda-gang will need 30 minutes to put 150 votes, but within that time, Police party will come.
- Booth officials can press “Close” button on control unit, then EVM will not accept any data. Goonda-gang cannot register any bogus votes.
- If circuit/memory re-wired, unit will stop functioning.
Limitations |
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Energy supply |
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Manufacturer |
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First usage |
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Blind voters have three options:
- Cast vote with help of companion (applies to all physical disabled- their companion can come all the way to voting box)
- Balloting unit itself has stickers in Braille language. (done in Maharashtra, Punjab, Kerala etc.)
- Presiding Officer gives Braille encoded dummy ballot paper to blind voter. Voter finds the serial number of his preferred candidates. Then goes to hut, presses button on EVM
P2: Voter verifiable paper audit trail (VVPAT)
- When voter presses EVM button, printer generates a paper slip
- This paper slip contains
- serial number of voter
- name and symbol of the candidate for whom the vote has been cast.
- paper slip will remain visible to the voter for seven seconds, through a glass-covered window.
- Then it’ll automatically fall in a sealed box.
- Later EC can use these slips for crosschecking / physical verification of votes during recounting.
but why do we need it?
- Some parties allege that EVM machines can be manipulated.
- VVPAT is developed to clear an air over authenticity of the EVMs (Electronic Voting Machine).
- Helps physical verification /crosschecking votes.
- Will help to resolve the election disputes.
Timeline
- 2013: SC ordered EC to introduce VVPAT in phased manner in 2014 general election.
- 2013, Sep: VVPAT first tried in Noksen constituency in Nagaland
P3: EVM Totalizar: Form 20 vs Voter confidentiality
Form No. | Provision | under Rule# |
---|---|---|
17(A) |
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49-O |
20 |
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56/C/2/C |

How does Form-20 compromise Voter confidentiality?
- Form 20 is given to the polling agents of candidates.
- Form 20 also uploaded on the official EC-sites of given state. (in this case, ceo.gujarat.gov.in)
- Banej polling booth, Gir forest (Junagadh constituency)= only single voter Mahant Bharatdas Darshandas.
- It is obvious Mahant voted for BJP. Form 20 has exposed his secret vote.
- Now, Congressi-karyakartaa may vandalize Mahant’s house, property and may even break his expensive sun-glasses to take revenge.
- In other words, if a single person votes in EVM then his secrecy will be compromised because of form-20.
- In the same photo, observe that Sr.No.2 Biliyat village didn’t give a single vote to Congressi candidate Punjabhai Bhimabhai Vansh.
- So, it is possible to find out which polling station/village/hamlet was in favor of which candidate.
- Then politicians/ goons / feudal lords might harass the villagers accordingly.
- in short, Form20 + EVM=> post electoral voter victimization possible.
In paper-ballot system, this was difficult. Because during counting, the officials will randomly mix the ballot papers to conceal the voting preference of individual polling stations.
But how can EVM Totalizer help?
- EVM Totalizer can count votes of multiple Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) simultaneously.
- That way EC official will only record total votes in all EVMs, and not individual EVM from each polling booth
- EVM Totalizer’s prototype ready. EC even tested it in UP bypoll (2009).
- Manufacturers:
- Bharat Electronic ltd
- Electronics corporation of India
- EVM totalizer is connected to EVMs via cable. Can do sum of all votes from 14 EVM simultaneously.
Why EVM Totalizer not implemented?
- To use EVM totalizer, we need to change format of Form-20
- but Form-20 format designed as per Rule 56/C/2/C of “Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961”
- but “Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961” designed as per Representation of People Act (RPA) 1951”.
- Therefore, to adopt nationwide EVM totalizer system, we need to amend RPA Act.
CSAT Sample MCQs
Q1. Consider following statements about EVM
- To discourage booth capturing, the EVMs are designed in such way that one EVM can record only 1 vote per two minutes.
- When you press blue button, your vote is stored at two places- one in the balloting unit and second backup in the control unit.
- EVM control unit needs constant electricity supply from a built in battery otherwise its memory will be wiped out.
The correct statements are:
- Only 1 and 2
- Only 2 and 3
- Only 1 and 3
- None of them
Q2. Which of the following is/are incorrect methods of assembling an EVM?
- Attach VVPAT attached to control unit
- Attach auxiliary display unit to control unit
- Attach EVM totalizer to balloting units
Answer choices
- Only 1 and 2
- Only 2 and 3
- Only 1 and 3
- all of them
Q3. Which of the following are essential components of an EVM, without which process of voting and counting is impossible?
- Balloting unit
- VVPAT
- Control unit
- EVM totalizer
- Auxiliary display unit
Correct choices are
- only 1, 2 and 3
- only 1 and 3
- only 1, 3 and 5
- only 1, 2, 3 and 4
- all of them
Q4. Consider following statements about EVM
- In emergency, EVMs can be run on the lead-battery used in sarkaari-jeeps.
- EVMs can record a maximum of 6400 votes.
- Single Balloting unit can cater to a maximum of 64 candidates.
Correct statements are
- Only 1 and 2
- Only 2 and 3
- Only 1 and 3
- None of them
Q5. What is the use of form 20 in the elections?
- earlier, to use NOTA, you had to fillup this form
- Police and defense personnel use this form to cast postal ballot
- To file nomination, the candidate has to fillup his income, assets, criminal cases etc. as per the format given in this form.
- EC will show polling station wise result according to this form.
Q6. Following are imaginary headlines in a newspaper. Which one of them will get the CEC nervous?
- A Banglore techie-blogger claims he can overwrite the code in EVM circuit via wifi to make it record 6000 votes in a minute.
- Sadhu Yadav asked 70 of his goons to file nominations along with him in the same Constituency. IB report says he also has plans for booth capturing.
- Sadhu Yadav has hired the techie mentioned in option A, and is planning for booth “hacking” through OB van of a media channel.
- None of the above.
Correct answers for MCQs
- D none of them correct
- C 1 and 3 are wrong connections
- Only 1 and 3- balloting unit and control unit without them voting impossible. Even if other instruments are absent, still you can conduct elections and count votes.
- D none of them
- D- polling station wise result
- B- more than 64 candidates = paper balloting. And booth capturing is easier in paper ballot system compared to EVM, hence it should give highest stress to CEC. Option A and C are junk because EVM cannot be hacked via wifi to record more than 3840 votes irrespective of what Banglore techie brags.
Mains and Interview Questions
- Mains: What is EVM totalizer? How can it prevent the post-electoral voter victimization? 200 words.
- Interview: First VVPAT and now the columnists are demanding EVM totalizer. Can’t we simply do addition via EXCEL spreadsheet? What’s the need of one more stupid machine?
Superb sir!!
Thanks
Yesterday I had adjusted the site theme to fix heading font-sizes on mobile browsers. Still, If any trouble in viewing
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Thanks, sir…!!!
help sir
Hi Mrunal,
old aptitude, economy links are not working or link itself removed.
If you organizing/revising old articles pls conform, we refer organized/revised materials.
Thanks
suresh i’m working on it.
MACP scheme is given on completion of 10, 20 and 30 years of service or whenever an employee has completed 10 years in thesame grade pay/pay scale. It means 3 grade pay upgradions in the whole career whenever regular promotion is not given.
Sir one request.please upload a standalone article for rbi grade b.i know u have given earlier.but please do it again for this year.please tell what span they will cover for current affairs.please give the links and references for the same especially for gk for grade b prelims as time is ver less.i think we all can also refer to your current affair compilation for sbi po which u did some days back….
as last time grade b was online prelims ques not available.plz post if available
Your current affairs compilation for UPSC is fantastic.u started from march.I request you to please also(if time permits) upload for the months of JAN and FEB2014 as we will effectively be able to cover jan to nov and dec 1st week before mains 2014 begins in dec.
thanks in adv
thanks sir. and plz upload mock ques for pre exam if time & mood permits
thanks mrunal…….
sir,
kindly clarify ,upto what date will the current affairs come in capf on coming 13th,,
i keep all pdfs of ypur articles organised in a folder in my fone, please give a direct download for pdfs,most of my frens dont have a pc and we have to go to cafe to get pdfs ….please help sir.
thanking you in anticipation,that would be much needed help
ankur, for CAPF examination
the span of current affairs is approximate 7-10 months.
Last CAPF held in October 2013, they asked about a committee which was in news during Feb 2013.
for Person in news, book, sports, summit type questions upto -[PIN-2014] coverage should be sufficient.
beyond that lot of current + static is interwoven. For example EVM basics in this article, turtle vs tortoise in previous article and so on.
anyways at this point, your major focus should be on static part, because that’s from where majority of questions will come.
hats off to u …really we still have good people around … thanx for being such a help to all those who are not able to join coaching classes….
HI mrunal …it is a humble rquest if you can suggest neha jain to file an rti for her answer scripts of all gs papers…..thanks :)
very helpfull
AWESOMENESS PERSONIFIED..!!
Answer for Question 7 is : D
Sam, in question 7, you’ve to find incorrect answer. Both A and B are incorrect hence answer is “C”.
mrunal sir ,plz clear my doubt.my problem is different dob. in my birth cert dob is :5/2/1994
but in my school record dob is 5/1/1993.in my matriculation ssc cert(GSEB) dob/: 5/1/1993
but after 10th i get admission in 11th sci,but i did diploma in mech eng & then B.E. mech is running(7 sem)
so my last leaving certificate is from 11th school.but for passport purpose i need same dob in birth cert & last L.C. so i do court process for change in my L.C. after court order 11th school issue me new L.C. as per birth cert. now in my birth cert & 11th L.C. dob is 5/2/1994. dut in 10th cert still it is 5/1/1993. when i appear for ias next year which dob i fill online form. is L.C is valid as per certi valid under the expression Matriculation/Secondary
Examination Certificate of upsc notification on page no 2 (2014). will it create any problem for me at verification stage? my birth cert & 11th L.C is same,should i go with them or 10th credit certi. i also have copy of court process. plz guide me on it. which documents is required at main stage?
rajan for UPSC whatever DoB given in your class10 certificate is final. read the notification.
please reply sir
Your current affairs compilation for UPSC is fantastic.u started from march.I request you to please also(if time permits) upload for the months of JAN and FEB2014 as we will effectively be able to cover jan to nov and dec 1st week before mains 2014 begins in dec.
thanks in adv..
it my request too
its my request too sir……
Sir one request.please upload a standalone article for rbi grade b.i know u have given earlier.but please do it again for this year.please tell what span they will cover for current affairs.please give the links and references for the same especially for gk for grade b prelims as time is ver less.i think we all can also refer to your current affair compilation for sbi po which u did some days back….
as last time grade b was online prelims ques not available.plz post if available….
In d RBI article,please elaborate on how to solve RADAR GRAPHS as well,since almost all sessions last year included a good number of questions on it. Thanks
Sir please reply …
AS PER NOTIFICATION I THINK 11TH L.C IS VALID BCOZ UPSC MANTION FOLLOWING IN NOTIFICATION FOR DoB:
The date of birth accepted by the Commission is that entered in the Matriculation or Secondary School Leaving Certificate or in a certificate recognised by an Indian University as equivalent to Matriculation or in an extract from a Register of Matriculates maintained by a University, which extract must be certified by the proper authority of the University or in the Higher Secondary or an equivalent examination certificate.
WILL UPSC GINE ANSWER IF I DI RTI ON THIS MATTER?
AS PER NOTIFICATION I THINK 11TH L.C IS VALID BCOZ UPSC MANTION FOLLOWING IN NOTIFICATION FOR DoB:
The date of birth accepted by the Commission is that entered in the Matriculation or Secondary School Leaving Certificate or in a certificate recognised by an Indian University as equivalent to Matriculation or in an extract from a Register of Matriculates maintained by a University, which extract must be certified by the proper authority of the University or in the Higher Secondary or an equivalent examination certificate.
WILL UPSC GIVE ANSWER IF I DO RTI ON THIS MATTER?
U r get sir!
Thank u so much for such noble deed.
question 4
3 option is correct
One Balloting unit can cater to a maximum of 64 candidates.
one unit has 16 buttons, maximum 4 units can be joined
means 16 x 4 =64 candidates.
if >64 candidates then paper ballot system has to be used.
my mistake i thought one BU is integrated with 4 more units
Lol..:D even break his expensive Rayban.:P
Hi… sir today’s gk is mustbreadable aspirants…
mrunal sir…thank u so much for all dis good work..
Today’s gk related topics are must readeble fr all aspirants…….
Very nice article and well explained.
Thanks alot.
Thank you sir..
Zakkas!
Mrunal sir…from where will you get these beautiful figures….they itself tells the quality of your writing and this site….thank you sir
BABA k Sun glasses ne to dil jeet liya aaj
sir could u plz tell me under which article of constitution supreme court can issue such order for complete judgement
in question no. 3 of MCQ section the voting is possible only with control unit and balloting unit and answer says it is vvpat+ballotimg unit plz modify
in Q. no.3 you have given answer as 1 & 2. It is not true. It should be 1 & 3 because Control unit and ballot unit is must for casting the vote. rest are optional.
sir just wonderfull…u r gr8..hats off!!
Thank U Very much Sir.
No word of thanks is big enough for ur genrosity sir!!
Excellent coverage,indeed!
Sir, very nice compilation. Coast Guard is now part of Defence Services not PARA MILITARY FORCES after 2611 it has been notified as a defence force.
it never was a paramilitary force…it has always been under defence ministry since its inception
thanks a lot sir