ISLAMABAD, Sep 21 (Online): Expressing its reservations over working of Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) Election Commission (EC) has said the results are feared to be changed in the event of misplacement of chip of the machine.
Terming the expenses over Rs 150 billion for the utilization of EVM as exercise in futility, EC has said one machine incurs expenses over 2 lac and IT experts ranging between 2 lac to 3 lac will be needed to run this machine.
Helicopters will be needed to take the machines to the respective constituencies, EC added. The facility for casting votes against will not be available on machine if the vote is wrongly cast for the first through this machine. Transporting the machines to the concerned constituencies and bringing them back safely is a mammoth challenge.
Sources further said EVM has not been manufactured by the government. Machine has been purchased from Repdo company which is more less secure than other companies. This machine is not equipped with state of the art technology.
EC stated a sum of Rs 20 to 25 billion were spent for holding general election 2018. Training will have to be imparted for a long period to a large number of people for use of the machine. Manpower will be needed separately for using this machine at every booth. It is very difficult to impart full training to presiding officer and polling staff at every booth. 2 to 3 IT personnel will have to be appointed at every polling station.
During the previous election 86000 polling stations were set up. In the coming election about 100000 polling stations are likely to be set up. At least 2 to 3 lac IT experts will be needed to hold the election.
During the previous election 240000 polling booths were established and in the next election at least 300000 polling booths are likely to be set up. Separate machine will have to be provided at every polling booth each for national assembly and provincial assembly polls.
Sources further said if number of candidates cross the level of 20 then a separate machine will have to provided. If more than 20 candidates contest election in half constituencies then at least more than 100000 additional machines will have to be purchased. 100000 extra machines will have to be purchased to replace any machine if it becomes faulty during the polls. At least 800000 EVM will have to be purchased. One machine will cost Rs 1.50 lac to Rs 2 lac. Will the EVM costing billion of rupees will be capable to be used in next elections. This is a question mark. The EVM can not be used in local bodies elections.
Sources said 7 ballot papers are used in KP local bodies polls and 7 chips will have to be installed in connection with EVM. Holding general and local bodies polls in separate ways will be a question mark.
EVMs in such large number will be kept where. Even there is no data centre. Billon of rupees will have to be spent for establishment of data centers and safety and care of EVMs. A huge expenses will have to be incurred in connection with transportation of these machines.
Several aircrafts will be needed to transport these machines. In India the EVMs companies have their own helicopters.
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