A Comprehensive Guide: Collection of EVM and Polling Materials
In any democratic process, the integrity of elections relies heavily on the efficient management of materials involved in the voting process. From Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) to various supporting documents, each item plays a crucial role in ensuring fair and transparent elections. Let’s delve into the essential materials needed for polling, understanding their significance and role in the electoral process.
| S. No. | Items | Description | Quantity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | EVM, Electoral Rolls and others | The Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) is the core device used for casting votes electronically. It includes the Control Unit, Ballot Units, and any other necessary components. Electoral rolls contain the names of eligible voters. | 01 Nos |
| 2 | Control Unit | The Control Unit is a component of the EVM system that manages the voting process, stores votes securely, and ensures accurate tabulation. | 01 or more depending upon the number of candidates plus NOTA |
| 3 | Ballot Units | Ballot Units are devices used by voters to cast their votes anonymously and securely. | 01 Nos |
| 4 | VVPAT | The Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) provides a paper trail for each vote cast, allowing voters to verify their choices and adding transparency to the process. | 01 Nos |
| 5 | Marked copy of electoral roll | Marked copies of electoral rolls contain records of voters who have already cast their votes, essential for maintaining the integrity of the voting process and preventing multiple voting. | 03 Nos |
| 6 | Working copies of electoral roll | Working copies of electoral rolls are used by polling officials for reference during the voting process to verify voters’ identities and eligibility. | 20 Nos |
| 7 | Ballot papers (for tendered votes) | Ballot papers are used for tendered votes in cases where voters face issues with EVMs or eligibility, ensuring that every eligible vote is counted. | 01 Nos |
| 8 | ASD List | The Absent, Shifted, or Dead Voters List (ASD List) contains information about voters who are absent, shifted, or deceased, crucial for updating electoral rolls and maintaining accuracy. | 01 Nos |
| 9 | CSV List if any | The Comprehensive Supplementary Voters List (CSV List) includes additional eligible voters to ensure that no eligible voter is excluded from the electoral process. | 01 Nos |
| 10 | Braille Ballot Sheet | Braille ballot sheets are designed for visually impaired voters, enabling them to cast their votes independently and confidentially by using Braille to identify candidates. | 01 Nos |
| 11 | Dummy Ballot Unit | Dummy ballot units are used for demonstration and training purposes to simulate the voting process, familiarizing voters and polling officials with the procedure. | 01 Nos as per design approved by Commission |
| 12 | Voting Compartment | Voting compartments provide privacy and confidentiality to voters while casting their votes, ensuring freedom of choice without influence. | 01 Nos |
EVM, Electoral Rolls, and Others: The cornerstone of modern elections, EVMs streamline the voting process, ensuring accuracy and efficiency. Alongside EVMs, electoral rolls provide a comprehensive list of eligible voters, essential for verifying identities and maintaining election integrity.
Control Unit: This component of the EVM manages the voting process, recording and storing the votes securely until the end of the polling period.
Ballot Units: Integral to the voting process, these units allow voters to cast their votes anonymously, ensuring confidentiality and impartiality.
VVPAT (Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail): VVPAT provides a paper trail for each vote cast, allowing voters to verify their choices and adding an additional layer of transparency to the process.
Marked Copy of Electoral Roll: A record of voters who have already cast their votes, crucial for preventing multiple voting and maintaining the integrity of the electoral process.
Working Copies of Electoral Roll: These copies serve as reference documents for polling officials, enabling them to verify voters’ identities and eligibility.
Ballot Papers (for Tendered Votes): In cases where voters face issues with EVMs or eligibility, tendered votes are recorded on ballot papers, ensuring that every eligible vote is counted.
ASD List (Absent, Shifted, or Dead Voters List): A list of voters who are absent, shifted, or deceased, essential for updating electoral rolls and maintaining accuracy.
CSV List (Comprehensive Supplementary Voters List): An additional list of eligible voters, ensuring that no eligible voter is left out of the electoral process.
Braille Ballot Sheet: Designed for visually impaired voters, Braille ballot sheets enable them to cast their votes independently and confidentially.
Dummy Ballot Unit: Used for demonstration and training purposes, dummy ballot units simulate the voting process, familiarizing voters and polling officials with the procedure.
Voting Compartment: Provides privacy and confidentiality to voters while casting their votes, ensuring freedom of choice without influence.
Frequently Asked Questions : Collection of EVM and Polling Materials
1. What is an Electronic Voting Machine (EVM)? An Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) is a device used for casting votes electronically in elections. It replaces traditional paper ballots and offers a secure and efficient means of voting.
2. How does an EVM work? EVMs typically consist of a Control Unit and one or more Ballot Units. Voters select their preferred candidate by pressing a button corresponding to the candidate’s symbol on the Ballot Unit. The vote is then recorded in the Control Unit, ensuring secrecy and accuracy.
3. What is VVPAT? VVPAT stands for Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail. It is a system that provides a printed paper receipt of each vote cast electronically. Voters can verify their choices on the paper trail, adding an extra layer of transparency and confidence in the voting process.
4. How are electoral rolls prepared? Electoral rolls are lists containing the names of eligible voters in a particular constituency. These rolls are prepared by Election Commission authorities based on voter registration data and are regularly updated to include new voters and remove ineligible ones.
5. What is the purpose of the ASD List? The ASD List, or Absent, Shifted, or Dead Voters List, contains information about voters who are absent from the constituency, have shifted residences, or are deceased. It helps maintain the accuracy of electoral rolls by updating voter information accordingly.
6. What is the significance of Braille Ballot Sheets? Braille Ballot Sheets are designed for visually impaired voters, enabling them to cast their votes independently and confidentially. These sheets feature Braille markings corresponding to candidate symbols, allowing visually impaired individuals to participate in the electoral process with ease.
7. Why are Dummy Ballot Units used? Dummy Ballot Units serve as training aids for election officials and voters. They simulate the voting process, familiarizing individuals with how to cast their votes using an EVM before the actual election day.
8. How do voting compartments ensure privacy? Voting compartments provide a private space for voters to cast their votes without external interference. They shield the voter from view, ensuring confidentiality and safeguarding the freedom of choice.
9. Are CSV Lists used in every election? The Comprehensive Supplementary Voters List (CSV List) includes additional eligible voters who may have been excluded from the primary electoral roll. Its usage depends on the specific requirements and circumstances of each election.
10. What happens to the EVM and polling materials after the election? After the election, EVMs and polling materials are securely collected, stored, and eventually audited to ensure the integrity of the electoral process. They may be reused in future elections or decommissioned according to election commission regulations.
