With elections due in Bihar, some politicians have started a debate over the efficacy of electronic voting machines (EVMs). Those who want to go back to the paper ballot system are arguing that the voter is not satisfied with EVMs because after the vote is cast, he is not able to see where he cast his vote, something that he could do in the paper ballot system. Is this argument valid? Can’t we see the names of all the candidates to choose from and the party symbols on EVM as clearly as we can see them on paper? Once the voter has pressed the blue button against the candidate’s name, there is not only a a light flash but there is also a ring to confirm that we have voted correctly.
Murli Radhekrishnan, on email
