The Battle Against EVM Hacking in Indian Elections: Unveiling the Threat of EVM Manipulation in Indian Politics.

Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) have been an integral part of the Indian electoral system since their introduction in the late 1980s. They were initially hailed for bringing efficiency, speed, and transparency to the voting process.

However, over time, questions regarding the security and reliability of EVMs have emerged, raising concerns about possible manipulations and their impact on democratic processes. This article delves into the technical aspects of EVMs, instances of alleged manipulation, its impact on democracy, and potential strategies to mitigate these risks.

1. Technical Aspects and Potential Vulnerabilities of EVMs:

The primary components of an EVM are the Ballot Unit (BU), where voters cast their votes, and the Control Unit (CU), responsible for storing vote counts and displaying results. Both units communicate through a secure channel using coded signals. While Election Commission-designed EVMs undergo rigorous testing before deployment, certain inherent vulnerabilities remain:

a. Firmware Tampering: Alteration of firmware—the software embedded within hardware components—could potentially influence vote counting. In theory, malicious actors can modify firmware during manufacturing or transportation, although no concrete evidence has surfaced yet.

b. Hardware Modifications: Unauthorized modifications to internal circuitry, microchips, or memory chips might enable attackers to alter vote tallies. Such attacks would require physical access to machines, making them difficult but not impossible to execute.

c. Wireless Attacks: Although modern EVMs employ wireless communication protocols like RFID or Bluetooth for remote monitoring purposes, they also present another avenue for potential hackers looking to intercept and manipulate data transmissions between BUs and CUs.

d. Supply Chain Risks: Entire batches of faulty or tampered EVMs may enter circulation due to weak supply chain controls, allowing unscrupulous elements to compromise devices at any stage from production to distribution.

2. Documented Instances and Allegations of EVM Manipulation:

Despite repeated assurances by the Election Commission, several instances and allegations of EVM tampering have come to light, casting doubts over the credibility of electronic voting:

a. Madhya Pradesh Assembly Elections, 2018: Opposition parties claimed victory despite official figures favouring the incumbent government. Following this controversy, then Chief Election Commissioner OP Rawat admitted that “some miscreants” had managed to replace genuine EVMs with fake ones.

b. Muzaffarnagar By-poll, Uttar Pradesh, 2016: During this by-election, one candidate accused his rivals of swapping out original EVMs with pre-programmed machines to ensure victory. These claims led to widespread protests across various states demanding accountable voting mechanisms.

c. West Bengal State Legislative Assembly Elections, 2014 & 2016: Numerous reports suggested discrepancies in voter preferences compared to final tally sheets. One instance involved 35% of all votes being cast for a party receiving just 7%, hinting at potential machine manipulation.

3. Impact on Democratic Processes:

Any form of EVM manipulation threatens the very foundation of our democratic system by undermining free and fair elections, leading to severe ramifications:

a. Loss of Public Trust: When citizens lose faith in the electoral process, it becomes increasingly challenging to maintain social cohesion, lawfulness, and stability within society.

b. Illegitimate Governments: If fraudulent activities go undetected, those falsely declared winners could assume office without proper mandates, leading to further disillusionment among the populace.

c. Deteriorating Political Landscape: Continuous incidents of EVM manipulation contribute towards polarizing societies along ideological lines, fuelling mistrust between competing factions and increasing civil strife.

4. National Security Implications:

Compromised electoral infrastructure poses significant threats to national security, opening doors for external adversaries seeking to meddle in domestic affairs:

a. Foreign Interference: Adversaries could exploit vulnerable EVMs to sow discord amongst populations, weaken governments, and subvert democratic institutions.

b. Cyber Warfare: Hacking attempts on critical infrastructure expose sensitive information, leaving nations susceptible to espionage, sabotage, and other forms of cyber warfare.

c. Destabilized Politics: Successful manipulation campaigns can lead to power vacuums, providing opportunities for hostile forces to exert influence over fragile democracies.

5. Mitigation Strategies and Reform Efforts:

Addressing EVM vulnerabilities requires concerted efforts from stakeholders, policymakers, and technologists alike. Proposed solutions include:

a. Paper Trails: Implementing Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VPAT) systems alongside EVMs ensures tangible proof of each ballot cast, enabling recounts and verifying accuracy against digital records.

b. Robust Post-Election Auditing: Conduct thorough post-election audits involving random sampling of EVMs to detect anomalous patterns indicating potential tampering.

c. Improved Manufacturing Practices: Establish stringent quality control standards throughout the entire lifecycle of EVM manufacture, ensuring secure handling and minimizing exposure to third-party intrusions.

d. Strengthened Cybersecurity Measures: Regular updates and patches applied promptly address emerging threats while continuous penetration tests help identify weaknesses in network architectures supporting EVM communications.