Recently, the Bihar State Election Commission has decided to roll out an e-voting system using an Android-based mobile for the upcoming municipal and urban body polls scheduled later this month in the state.
- Electronic voting (e-voting) systems allow people to vote using electronic devices like computers, voting machines (DREs), and smartcards.
Key Features of the Bihar’s E-Voting
- Mobile Applications: The e-voting process will use two Android-based mobile apps (namely “e-Voting SECBHR”) - one by C-DAC and another by the Bihar State Election Commission.
- Security: The system includes Blockchain, liveness detection, and facial verification (face match, live scan, and comparison) to ensure secure and authentic voting.
- Audit Trail: Like VVPAT with EVMs, an audit trail is included to track and verify each vote, ensuring transparency and tamper-proof records.
Significance of e-Voting
- Improved Accessibility: Enables participation for groups who often face barriers in traditional voting - such as migrant workers, persons with disabilities etc.
- Young and Mobile Voters: Online voting is ideal for tech-savvy youth. It makes voting easier for first-time voters and helps build long-term voting habits.
- Increase in Voter Turnout: By lowering the time and effort required to vote, online voting can help increase overall turnout, especially among marginalized or mobile populations.
Concerns with e-Voting
Vulnerable to hacking, manipulation, and fraud; voting from home makes it hard to ensure privacy and a coercion-free environment; may exclude citizens without internet access or digital literacy, etc.
Conclusion
Adoption of e-voting marks a significant stride towards electoral modernization, promising greater accessibility and convenience. However, its success hinges on addressing concerns related to cybersecurity, digital exclusion, and voter coercion to ensure trust and inclusivity in the democratic process.
