New Delhi: The Election Commission is set to buy next generation electronic voting machines (EVMs) that will become “inoperable” the moment attempts are made to tinker with it, a move which comes amid allegations by some parties that the machines were tampered with during the recent assembly polls.
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 Rs 1,940 crore (excluding freight and taxes) will be required to procure the new machines which are likely to be introduced by 2018, a year before the next Lok Sabha elections are held, the law ministry has said, quoting details made available by the Election Commission to be given to Parliament.
The Election Commission has decided to replace 9,30,430 EVMs purchased before 2006 as the older machines are nearing their 15-year life cycle, he said.
