Tech-ing Polls: Can EVMs Work Without Electricity? Let’s Find Out

There is a reason why all eyes will rest on India starting April 19, as the Lok Sabha Elections will kick off in the coming week. To be carried out over seven phases, it will see about 970 million voters heading to the polls, making this the largest democratic election in the world. It will also require Election Commission of India (ECI) officials to set up polling booths and electronic voting machines (EVMs) in the most remote corners of the country, to make sure eligible citizens can cast their votes.

Now, when we consider remote corners, we must factor in the possibility of the non-availability of a stable electricity supply in voting booths. 

So, Can EVMs Work Without Electricity?

The simple answer is: Yes. 

As per the ECI, the M3 Model of EVM and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) are used. Just like previous models, these machines are stand-alone units. This means that they come with power packs or batteries of their own, and are also non-networked. 

These power packs are manufactured and supplied by Bharat Electronics Limited or Electronics Corporation of India Limited. 

In case you were wondering, EVMs run on 7.5V power packs while VVPATs run on 22.5V power packs. 

So, as we can see, EVMs are not at all dependent on electricity supply and are perfectly capable of operating on their own.

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How Do EVMs Work?

An EVM, officially referred to as ECI-EVM, is composed of three main units:

1. Ballot Unit (BU): This is where voters press to select their preferred candidates.
2. Control Unit (CU): Operated by the polling officer, it controls the voting process and stores the votes.
3. VVPAT: This unit provides a paper trail for votes cast, allowing voters to verify their selections.

ALSO READ: What Happens When EVMs Malfunction During Voting?

When it is time to vote, the process unfolds as follows:

Activation: The polling officer initiates the voting session by pressing the BU on the CU, which activates the voting interface.

Casting a Vote: Voters choose their candidate by pressing a blue button corresponding to their choice on the BU.

Confirmation: As soon as a choice is made, a red LED light illuminates alongside the chosen candidate’s name to confirm the selection.

Verification via VVPAT: After the selection, a paper slip is automatically printed with the candidate’s serial number, name, and symbol. This slip appears behind a transparent window for the voter to verify.

Secure Storage: The paper slip is then cut and dropped into a sealed box within the VVPAT unit, accompanied by an audible beep signalling that the vote has been registered.