EVM vs Online Voting: Why the Future of Elections is Digital
Whenever elections take place in India, whether for the Lok Sabha, state assemblies, or even at the local panchayat level, one topic dominates all discussions: the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM). From news anchors and journalists to politicians and common citizens, everyone talks about EVMs. Are they secure? Are they functioning properly? Were they tampered with? The moment a political party loses an election, the first question they often raise is, “Was the EVM hacked?”
This recurring debate has led people to look at alternatives. In this blog, we’ll explore what EVMs are, how they function, EVM rentals, why people often doubt them, and why online voting, especially through trusted platforms like Right2Vote, is fast emerging as the smarter choice not just for government elections, but also for housing societies, clubs, associations, colleges, and many more elections.
What is an EVM and How Does It Work?
An Electronic Voting Machine is a device designed to help voters cast their votes in a quick, easy, and electronic manner. It consists of two parts: the Control Unit, which is operated by polling officers, and the Balloting Unit, where voters press the button against the name or symbol of their chosen candidate.
Once a vote is cast, the machine emits a beep sound, confirming that the vote has been recorded. In recent years, to boost voter confidence, the Election Commission also introduced the Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT). It shows the voter a printed slip for a few seconds with the name and symbol of the candidate they just voted for. This slip is then automatically dropped into a sealed box.
All of this is designed to create trust in the system, but somehow, the controversies and conspiracy theories fail to die down.
Concerns Around EVMs
Despite their ease of use and efficiency, EVMs often find themselves at the centre of political blame games. Whenever an election result goes against a party, the losing side almost always questions the EVMs.
Questions like “Can they be hacked?”, “Were they tampered with during transportation?” or “Was there a software bug?” keep making headlines. Even though the Election Commission has repeatedly stated that EVMs are tamper-proof and operate offline (not connected to the internet), public doubt continues to rise.
Moreover, the entire EVM-based election process involves several logistical challenges:
- Transporting EVMs to and from polling stations securely.
- Storing them safely in strong rooms with tight security.
- Manual counting at centralized locations.
- And despite being electronic, final results often take 3 to 15 days to be declared.
While these challenges are still manageable for national or state-level elections where huge government machinery is involved, what happens when you want to conduct a smaller election?
Can You Rent EVMs for Society or Club Elections?
One of the most common questions people ask is: “Can we use EVMs for our housing society elections?” or “Can we rent EVMs from the government?”
The answer is No. EVMs are the property of the Election Commission of India and are strictly meant for official government elections such as Lok Sabha, state assemblies, or panchayat elections. They are not available for public rent or commercial use. The government does not provide EVMs to private groups, associations, or residential societies under any circumstances.
Even if someone somehow managed to procure EVMs (which would be illegal), the usage would come with many complications:
- Trained personnel are required to operate and supervise the machines.
- Security arrangements are essential to protect the machines before, during, and after voting.
- Storage and transportation need to be handled with care.
- Trust issues may arise since there’s no official oversight from the Election Commission in such cases.
So if EVMs can’t be rented, what’s the alternative? Most people fall back on the old-school method of paper ballot voting. But that’s a whole different set of headaches.
The Limitations of Paper Ballot Voting
Paper-based elections might sound simple, but in reality, they’re quite resource-heavy. Organizers need to design and print ballots in large numbers, maintain their secrecy and security, and ensure that they don’t get spoiled or torn. Even a minor mistake on the paper—like a smudge or double tick—can invalidate a vote.
On voting day, voters queue up and mark their choice on the paper, which is then dropped into a sealed box. After voting ends, counting begins manually. This is a time-consuming, tiring, and error-prone process. You need neutral volunteers, counting agents, and a secure venue for hours, sometimes even days. The chance of disputes, human errors, or allegations of vote manipulation remains high.
That brings us to a modern, safe, and effective solution for online voting.
Why Online Voting Is a Game Changer
Online voting, especially through a trusted and certified platform like Right2Vote, is transforming the way elections are conducted, making them fast, secure, transparent, and effortless.
Here’s how Right2Vote is redefining elections:
OTP-Based Authentication
Each voter is authenticated using a secure One-Time Password (OTP) sent to their respective mobile or email. This ensures that only eligible voters can access the ballot.
Secret Ballot with Voter Receipt
Just like traditional elections, voter anonymity is preserved. Voters get a digital receipt confirming that their vote has been cast, but without revealing their choice to anyone else.
Highly Secure & Tested Platform
The Right2Vote system has undergone rigorous testing and audits. It uses bank-grade encryption, secure servers and maintains the highest levels of security.
Instant Counting & Quick Results
No more manual tallying. Once the election ends, the results are available within seconds. This removes delays, human errors, and post-election disputes.
Vote from Anywhere, Anytime
Whether you’re traveling, at home, or even abroad, you can vote from any device: mobile, tablet, or computer. No need to visit polling stations or wait in long queues.
Full Support and Guidance
The Right2Vote team handholds the organizers at every step from setting up the election to voter onboarding, explaining features, and providing technical assistance. Even first-time organizers find the process smooth and stress-free.
Trusted by Thousands, Proven by Results
Right2Vote is not new. It has been a pioneer in digital elections for more than 10 years, conducting over 20,000 elections across India for a wide variety of clients. These include:
- Housing Societies and RWAs
- Student Council Elections in Colleges
- Clubs and Associations
- Corporate Boards and Unions
- IBC Resolution Voting under IBBI guidelines
And the feedback? Overwhelmingly positive. People appreciate the ease of use, cost savings, fast results, and reduction in disputes.
Conclusion
EVMs served their purpose when India needed to move away from inefficient paper ballot elections. However, now it’s time to move on. But for many organizations today, be it a society of 500 residents, a club of 1,000 members, or a college with 3,000 students, EVMs are not even an option.
Paper ballots are outdated and inefficient. And renting EVMs is simply not possible.
eVoting is the solution. It is tried, tested, and trusted. It’s fast, secure, and transparent. And most importantly, it brings democracy to your fingertips.
So the next time you’re planning an election in your housing society, club, college, or any other organization, don’t get stuck in the past. Embrace the future. Embrace Right2Vote.
Because in today’s digital world, voting from anywhere is not just a dream, it’s a reality. And we’re proud to have made it possible for thousands of organizations and crores of Indians.
Direct and Indirect Voting
Understanding eAuction in India: The New Age of Transparent Bidding
Bihar Becomes The Second Indian State after Gujarat to Introduce eVoting
