How do EVMs actually work? Can they be hacked?

ech mogul Elon Musk has ignited a firestorm of discussion around EVMs by suggesting they be eliminated due to potential hacking risks. Representatives from the Indian government have vehemently denied Musk's claims, asserting that Indian EVMs are impervious to hacking.

Edited By: Top Indian News Desk

Last Updated : 16 June 2024, 08:55 PM IST

ANI

New Delhi: Tech mogul Elon Musk has ignited a firestorm of discussion around electronic voting machines (EVMs) by suggesting they be eliminated due to potential hacking risks. This statement has garnered significant attention in India, a country that has relied heavily on EVMs since 2004. Let's delve deeper into the world of EVMs, understand how they function, and explore the concerns raised by Musk.

Elon Musk's concerns

Taking to his social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Musk voiced his apprehension and wrote, "We should eliminate electronic voting machines. There is a risk of being hacked by humans or AI. Although this risk is small, it is still very high."

We should eliminate electronic voting machines. The risk of being hacked by humans or AI, while small, is still too high. https://t.co/PHzJsoXpLh
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 15, 2024

Understanding EVMs

An Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) is a self-contained voting system comprised of three critical units:

Ballot Unit: Functioning like a keyboard, it features 16 buttons representing different parties or candidates. Each button has a unique serial number, candidate name, and symbol for voter identification.
Control Unit (Master Unit): Managed by the presiding officer, this unit activates the voting process. It accumulates data on the number of times each button is pressed. A distinct beep sounds upon button activation by the voter.
VVPAT (Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail): After a voter presses the button, an LED lights up accompanied by a beep. Subsequently, the control unit instructs the VVPAT to print a paper slip. This slip displays the serial number, candidate name, and symbol, visible to the voter for seven seconds for verification.

Indian government's rebuttal

Representatives from the Indian government have vehemently denied Musk's claims, asserting that Indian EVMs are impervious to hacking.

A debate rages on

The discourse surrounding EVM security is far from settled. While Musk's concerns raise a valid point about potential vulnerabilities, the Indian government maintains its stance on the robustness of their EVM systems. Only time will tell how this debate unfolds and how it influences future elections.

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How do EVMs actually work? Can they be hacked?