A point to note is that the EC never gave these machines to others for testing for vulnerabilities. They never allowed researchers to rip them apart and figure how to hack them. They did a sham of show to prove that they are safe. And how? By asking people to come touch them, press buttons and prove that it is insecure. And so it would have been until one smart guy, someone who I would call a real citizen of this country decided that stealing one is the only option.
What about Rigging the most prelavant mal practise in India. Capturing poling booths & dropping bundles of votes in ballot boxes is too danger then a small flaw in the machine.
Initiative can be taken to make EVM's smart with capturing the finger prints(already govt is capturing finger prints for AADHAR project) then after elections these finger prints can be cross checked., may be with help of super computers to ensure a person didn't voted twice.. If we can do this, it will be a big plus to DEMOCRACY
Re: What about Rigging?
by lolan on Sep 02, 2010 12:52 AM
True. Unlike US and other European countries, we in India, have developed a systematic rigging process called booth capturing. By any standard, EVM's are better than traditional paper ballots.
Rajeev Srinivasan and many others got upset after the last elections, when their favorite party lost. None of these people have any issues with Gujarat elections (EVMs were used there also)! Nevertheless, in this article (so far), he lists some valid reasonable points. EVM's can be tampered and ECI must address this point to satisfy all citizens. However, can it be tampered remotely without accessing the machines ? Heavy physical security is provided to EVMs in all stages of election till counting. Even though, one can agree that some people involved can be befriended to one's advantage, doing such malpractices all over India is next to impossible. As India is a complex country with numerous national and regional parties, different states with different politics so on and so forth. Hence, those who argue against EVMs must also define a clear and malpractice-free election system. In this regard, your suggestion about finger prints seems to be reasonable.
Re: Re: What about Rigging?
by Against Pseudos on Sep 03, 2010 05:43 AM
Lolan:
Great idea. So yours and Praveen M's thinking way ahead of the Election Commission of India, who outright rejected any further strengthening of the system and the audit trails Rajeev is talking about.
With forward looking and logical thinkers like Rajeev and you two, it is surely possible to establish electoral reforms and trust in the system....
Re: What about Rigging?
by Against Pseudos on Sep 03, 2010 05:45 AM
Praveen M:
Thanx for the update. No wonder we are getting a certain party into power right since independence due to the two important issues you pointed out in your message.... :)
Re: What about Rigging?
by Ram R on Sep 02, 2010 03:31 PM
This EVM system is flaw to begin with. Software can be programed in such way that each say 3 rd or 4th vote will fall to certain candidate or flag. Source code is always with CEC only. This malpractice started since NAVIN CHAWLA was installed as EC by CONGRESS. He was a hard core Congress man. He as EC and CEC ensured Congress win all the elections in such a way, no one can raise a finger. He was not stupid. rather very smart. It took us more than 10 years to feel some thing was wrong in EVM system. Still criminals are protecting it.
