Election Commission of India
Training on Use of
Electronic Voting Machine
Electronic Voting Machine
EVM – ECIL 2001 Model
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Index
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Description of EVM
Preparation of EVM by Presiding Officer
Procedure during Poll
Procedure at Close of Poll
Important tips for Presiding Officer
DOs & DON’Ts
How does the voter use it?
Can it be tampered with or rigged?
Electronic Voting Machine
EVM – ECIL 2001 Model
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Description of EVM
Description
Electronic Voting Machine
EVM – ECIL 2001 Model
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Electronic Voting Machine
• EVM is a simple and reliable equipment for
use in electing a candidate from among many
candidates
• It is portable and easy to operate
• It operates on a special power pack
• It is tamper-proof and error free
• The polling data once recorded is retained
even when the power pack is removed
Description
Electronic Voting Machine
EVM – ECIL 2001 Model
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Components of EVM
Interconnecting Cable
Control Unit
Description
Balloting Unit
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EVM – ECIL 2001 Model
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Carrying Cases
Carrying Case - Control Unit
• The Control Unit and
Balloting Unit are
packed separately in
special carrying cases
Carrying Case - Balloting Unit
Description
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EVM – ECIL 2001 Model
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Opening of Carrying Case – Balloting Unit
Details of latches
Case Closed
Description
Latches
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EVM – ECIL 2001 Model
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Opening of Carrying Case – Balloting Unit
1.
Description
Pull and push upwards
simultaneously to release
Electronic Voting Machine
EVM – ECIL 2001 Model
2.
Lift to open
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Opening of Carrying Case – Balloting Unit
3.
Open Case
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EVM – ECIL 2001 Model
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Opening of Carrying Case – Control Unit
Details of latches
Case Closed
Description
Latches
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EVM – ECIL 2001 Model
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Opening of Carrying Case – Control Unit
1.
Description
Pull and push upwards
simultaneously to release
Electronic Voting Machine
EVM – ECIL 2001 Model
2.
Lift to open
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Opening of Carrying Case – Control Unit
3.
Open Case
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EVM – ECIL 2001 Model
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Balloting Unit
Details
Ready Lamp
Slide Switch Window
Candidate’s Button
Candidate’s Lamp
Ballot Paper Screen
Description
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EVM – ECIL 2001 Model
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Balloting Unit
Opening of Door Connector Box
Lift to Open
Description
Electronic Voting Machine
EVM – ECIL 2001 Model
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Balloting Unit
Rear View
Stand
Door Connector Box
Cable Clamp
Connector Box
Description
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EVM – ECIL 2001 Model
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Balloting Unit
Opening of Cover
1
2
4
3
Pull the latches
Description
Latch
Lift the cover
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EVM – ECIL 2001 Model
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Balloting Unit
Internal parts
Ready Lamp
Slide Switch
Candidate’s Button
Masking Tab
Description
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EVM – ECIL 2001 Model
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Balloting Unit
Opening of the Ballot Paper Screen
Space to fix
Ballot Paper
Latch
Description
Press both Latches and push
Electronic Voting Machine
EVM – ECIL 2001 Model
Screen Open
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Control Unit
ON Lamp
Busy Lamp
Display Section
Candidate Set Section
Result Section
Ballot Section
Ballot Button
Total Button
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EVM – ECIL 2001 Model
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Control Unit
Opening of Bottom Compartment
Bottom
Compartment
Cover
Press Latch to release
Description
Electronic Voting Machine
EVM – ECIL 2001 Model
Pull to open Cover
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Control Unit
View of Bottom Compartment
Power Switch
Connector for
Auxiliary Unit
Connector for
Interconnecting Cable
Bottom Compartment
Cover
Description
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EVM – ECIL 2001 Model
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Control Unit
Display Section
4-Digit
Display Panel
ON Lamp
Busy Lamp
2-Digit
Display Panel
Description
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EVM – ECIL 2001 Model
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Control Unit
Candidate Set Section
Candidate set section
inner door
Candidate set section
outer door
Provision for
thread seal
Latch
Power pack
compartment
Candidate set
button
Plug for
power pack
Description
Provision for
Thread seal
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EVM – ECIL 2001 Model
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Control Unit
Result Section
Result I
button
Close button
Provision for
thread seal
Description
Inner compartment
door
Result II
button
Electronic Voting Machine
EVM – ECIL 2001 Model
Clear button
Inner
latches
Frames for
Paper seal
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Control Unit
Ballot Section
Total button
Ballot button
Description
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EVM – ECIL 2001 Model
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Preparation of EVM by
Presiding Officers
Preparation by POs
Electronic Voting Machine
EVM – ECIL 2001 Model
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Checking EVM Serial Numbers
1. Check the serial numbers & Address tags
on Control & Balloting Units & on their
carrying cases
2. Check the seals put by Returning Officer on
the Candidate Set section on Control Unit
and at the right top and bottom latch covers
of Balloting Unit
3. Polling party should never open the seals
put by Returning Officer on Control Unit and
Balloting Unit
Preparation by POs
Electronic Voting Machine
EVM – ECIL 2001 Model
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Checking Control Unit
1. Switch on the Control Unit and press `Total’ button’ to
verify that the Control Unit is set for correct number of
candidates
2. Switch off the Control Unit and pack it in its carrying case
before taking it away to polling station
Preparation by POs
Electronic Voting Machine
EVM – ECIL 2001 Model
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Checking Balloting Unit
1. Check the seals & address tags fixed by the R.O.
at the right top and right bottom of the Balloting
Unit
2. Check that the ballot paper is properly fixed
3. Check that the required candidate Buttons are
unmasked (blue) and the other Buttons are
masked (white)
4. Seals of Balloting Unit should not be opened by
polling party at any time
Preparation by POs
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EVM – ECIL 2001 Model
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Before Poll
Special Arrangements
Special Officers
1.
One special officer for a group of 10
polling stations to monitor poll & to
replace defective units
2.
Special attention to early hours of poll
3.
Shall reach any polling station in his
charge within 15 minutes
Preparation by POs
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EVM – ECIL 2001 Model
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Model Layout of Polling Station
Preparation by POs
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One hour before Commencement of Poll
• Remove the Balloting Unit & Control Unit
from their carrying cases
• Connect Balloting Unit to Control Unit
• Open back cover and Switch “ON” power
Preparation by POs
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EVM – ECIL 2001 Model
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One hour before Commencement of Poll
2
1
4.
Open “Result”
section outer door
and inner door
3
Preparation by POs
4
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One hour before Commencement of Poll
5.
Press Clear button to
show to the agents
present that there are no
votes polled
Preparation by POs
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EVM – ECIL 2001 Model
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One hour before Commencement of Poll
2
1
6.
Control Unit displays
zero votes for all the
candidates
3
Preparation by POs
4
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One hour before Commencement of Poll
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6
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Preparation by POs
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EVM – ECIL 2001 Model
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Mock Poll
1.
Conduct mock poll for
the benefit of polling
agents
2.
Press Ballot button on
Control Unit and
register one vote for
each candidate in
Balloting Unit
Preparation by POs
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EVM – ECIL 2001 Model
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Mock Poll
3.
Continue the process
till one vote is polled for
each candidate (Ensure
that equal number of
votes are polled for all
candidates)
4.
Close the mock poll by
pressing Close button
in Control Unit
Preparation by POs
Electronic Voting Machine
EVM – ECIL 2001 Model
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Mock Poll – Display of the Result
5.
Press Result-I button
and show the mock poll
result
1
2
4
Preparation by POs
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5
Electronic Voting Machine
EVM – ECIL 2001 Model
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Control Unit – Sealing for Actual Poll
1.
After seeing result of mock
poll, clear the machine by
pressing Clear button
2.
Open back cover and switch
“OFF” power. Fix green
paper seals in the frame on
the inner side of the door of
the inner compartment of the
Result section
3.
Close the door of the inner
compartment ensuring that
the two open ends of the
paper seal project outwards,
as shown
Preparation by POs
Electronic Voting Machine
EVM – ECIL 2001 Model
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Control Unit – Sealing for Actual Poll
4.
Presiding Officer should
sign below the serial
number of paper seal.
Candidates / agents
present may be allowed
to sign if they so desire.
5.
Seal the inner door with
the special tag
6.
Close the outer door of
Result section and seal it
with address tag
Preparation by POs
Electronic Voting Machine
EVM – ECIL 2001 Model
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Procedure during Poll
Procedure during Poll
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Setting up the EVM in
the Polling Station
1. Place the Balloting Unit in the voting
compartment and the Control Unit on the table
of the presiding / polling officer
2. Connect Balloting Unit to Control Unit
3. Open the bottom compartment and switch “ON”
power
4. Close the bottom compartment of Control Unit
5. Press Total button to ensure that there are no
votes cast before the actual poll
Procedure during Poll
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During Poll
Key functions of Presiding Officers
1. Each voter shall be allowed to vote only in his /
her turn
2. Frequently tally votes polled with the last entry
in Voters Register
3. Presiding Officer to ensure that no voter votes
without signing the register & voters who have
signed do not go away without voting
Procedure during Poll
Electronic Voting Machine
EVM – ECIL 2001 Model
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Voting Procedure
• The officer in charge of Control Unit collects
the voter slip and allows the voter to vote in
his/her turn
• He activates the Control Unit by pressing
Ballot button and directs the voter to go to
voting compartment for voting
Procedure during Poll
Electronic Voting Machine
EVM – ECIL 2001 Model
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Voting Procedure
• Inside voting compartment, voter is to press
the blue Candidate button in the Balloting
Unit against the candidate of his / her choice
• There will be a beep sound heard to indicate
that the vote has been cast and the Busy
lamp goes off in the Control Unit
• This process is repeated for other voters till
end of the poll
• Do not switch off the Control Unit during the
poll
Procedure during Poll
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EVM – ECIL 2001 Model
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Procedure at Close of Poll
Procedure at Close of Poll
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EVM – ECIL 2001 Model
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Procedure at Close of Poll
1.
2.
3.
Remove the cap on Close
button and press the Close
button as shown. Poll is
closed.The Unit displays
the total no. of candidates
and the total no. of polls.
Fix the cap in its place.
Note down the total votes
recorded in Part I of Form
17C.
Press Total Button to verify
the total at the close of the
Poll.
Procedure at Close of Poll
Electronic Voting Machine
EVM – ECIL 2001 Model
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Procedure at Close of Poll
4.
Open the bottom compartment,
switch “OFF” power and
disconnect Balloting Unit cable
5.
Pack the Control Unit and
Balloting Unit in their carrying
cases
6.
Seal the carrying cases and fix
address tags.
7.
Deposit the sealed cases safely
with the Returning Officer.
Procedure at Close of Poll
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EVM – ECIL 2001 Model
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Important Tips for Presiding Officers
Issue
Remedy
After Ballot button is activated
in Control Unit, the last voter
may refuse to vote
Or
After the poll was over,
inadvertently Ballot button
may have been pressed
Procedure at Close of Poll
To stop the red Busy lamp in
Control Unit, switch off the
power. Busy lamp will stop
glowing. Then, you may
switch on power and close
the poll.
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EVM – ECIL 2001 Model
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Important Tips for Presiding Officers
Messages – Display on both Panels
• [ nP ] [
1]
• [ Cd ] [
4]
• [ to ] [1087]
• [ 04 ] [ 235 ]
Procedure at Close of Poll
The machine is set for
single poll
The machine is set for 4
candidates
Total No. of votes polled
is 1087
Candidate No. 4 has
polled 235 votes/
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EVM – ECIL 2001 Model
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Important Tips for Presiding Officers
Error messages – Display on Left Panel
[Le ] =
‘link error’
The interconnecting cable is not connected to Control
Unit properly or slide switch position in the Balloting
Unit is not set at correct number
[ Pe] =
‘pressed error’
Any of the candidates button in the Balloting Unit is
either kept pressed or jammed
[ er ]=
‘memory error’
The Control Unit is not fit for use
Procedure at Close of Poll
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EVM – ECIL 2001 Model
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DOs & DON’Ts
DOs & DON’Ts
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DOs
• Read the Manual carefully before operating
the EVM
• Press the latches gently and in the manner
specified
• Protect the EVM from dust, heat, rain, fire and
other such hazardous environments
• Use Power pack specially supplied by the
Election Commission
• Inform Election Commission and ECIL in case
of any problem
DOs & DON’Ts
Electronic Voting Machine
EVM – ECIL 2001 Model
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(Contd.)
DOs
• Remove Power pack from the Control Unit while
storing for longer periods
• Ensure that the covers of the compartments /
Sections in the Balloting Unit and the Control Unit
rest properly on the plain surface when opened
• Ensure that the Connector of the Interconnecting
Cable mates properly with the connector of the
Control Unit before pressing in. This will mate in one
direction only
• Press the “CLEAR” button before pressing
“CANDIDATE SET BUTTON”
DOs & DON’Ts
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EVM – ECIL 2001 Model
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• DONOT
DON’Ts
– Exert undue pressure on latches, hinges etc.
– Keep EVM near heater or other hot objects
– Allow molten lac/sealing wax to fall on the EVM
while sealing
– Force open the covers or doors of various
sections
– Try to open the top portion of the Control Unit (by
unscrewing the screws)
– Remove the Power pack seal unless it is required
for use
DOs & DON’Ts
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• DONOT
DON’Ts
(Contd.)
– Hit / smash the connector fixed at the end of the
Interconnecting Cable against any hard
surface/object
– Force the connector fixed at the end of the
Interconnecting cable into the connector of Control
Unit in the reverse direction
– Pull the Interconnecting cable while disconnecting
it from the Control Unit without pressing the spring
type clips on the hood of the connector
DOs & DON’Ts
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EVM – ECIL 2001 Model
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How does the voter use it?
• The process is the same as the present
method
• The voter is identified, signature obtained and
ink mark put on the index finger
• Instead of being given a ballot paper at this
stage a ballot is released by pressing a
button on the Control Unit
• The voter then proceeds to the Balloting Unit
enclosure
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(Contd.)
How does the voter use it?
• The Balloting Unit has a conventional Ballot
Paper with names and symbols of the
contestants secured under a protective cover
• The voter simply presses a button against the
candidate of his/her choice
• A light adjacent to the button pressed glows
followed by a beep indicating the vote is
recorded
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Can it be tampered with or rigged?
• It is a state-of-the-art electronic instrument that
cannot be tampered with
• It incorporates a microprocessor that has ‘burnt-in’
software which cannot be altered
• In case of a booth capture, the Presiding Officer can
shutdown the EVM by pressing the “CLOSE” button
• No votes can be cast on that unit thereafter
• On resumption of voting, another EVM must be used
to continue the poll
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Thank You
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