In the mist of raging over alleged tampering of Electronic Voting Machines during the recent Assembly polls, the Election Commission has decided to acquire next generation of EVMs that would become ‘inoperable’ the moment attempts are made to tinker with it.
The ‘M3’-type EVMs are also equipped with a self-diagnostic system for authentication of genuineness of the machines. These will come with a public key interface-based mutual authentication system. Only a ‘genuine’ EVM -- manufactured either by atomic energy PSU ECIl or defence PSU BEl -- ‘communicates’ with other EVMs in the field. Any EVM manufactured by other companies would not be able to communicate with other machines, thus exposing it.
Around Rs1,940 crore (excluding freight and taxes) will be required to procure the new machines which are likely to be introduced by 2018, a year before when the next lok Sabha elections are due, the law Ministry has said, quoting details made available by the EC to be given to Parliament.
The EC has decided to replace 9,30,430 EVMs purchased before 2006 as the older machines are nearing their 15-year life cycle, he said. On December 7 last, the Union Cabinet had approved a fresh tranche of Rs1,009 crore for the Election Commission to buy new EVMs so that it can phase out the ageing ones before the 2019 lok Sabha elections.
The Cabinet had also authorised the Election Commission to vary the quantity to be ordered on BEl and ECIl based on their production capacity and past performance.