By Admin 
Voting for the first phase of Bihar Assembly elections 2025 is taking place. On this day, millions of voters are voting for their favorite candidate through Electronic Voting Machine (EVM), but do you know how accurate and safe these machines are? The Election Commission (ECI) adopts a two-tier process for the security of EVMs. Security before the elections (Pre-Election) and security after the elections (Post-Election).
Every EVM machine is thoroughly tested before voting. Government companies like Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Electronics Corporation of India Limited (ECIL) manufacture them. Before the elections, technical checking of these machines is done in the presence of representatives of political parties, so that there are no irregularities. If any machine is found defective, it is immediately sent back to the factory.
After this, all the machines are kept in a secure room, where carrying devices like mobile or camera is completely prohibited. The room is monitored by the state police. The Election Commission also conducts mock polls on some machines to ensure that the voting process is transparent.
Random distribution of machines
The Election Commission randomizes the machines twice. First at the assembly level and then at the polling station level. With this process the possibility of any kind of conspiracy or tampering is eliminated. Even on the polling day, a mock poll is conducted before the polling begins, so that all the candidates can see that the machines are working properly.
post-poll security arrangements
When voting is completed, each EVM is sealed. The seals are signed by the agents of the candidates and then the responsibility of the machines is handed over to the central paramilitary forces. After this all the machines are kept in the strong room. It is a very secure place, where there is 24-hour CCTV surveillance and uninterrupted supply of electricity is ensured. Representatives of the candidates can also participate in the monitoring of these strong rooms. Before counting of votes, the Commission gets the identification numbers of all the seals and machines checked, so that there is no scope for any irregularities.
Why are EVM machines completely reliable?
EVMs are not connected to any network or internet, so it is impossible to hack them or change them remotely. The unique ID of each machine and the three-tier sealing system make it more secure. This transparent process of the Election Commission has made EVMs the most reliable voting system in the world.
Also read: Bihar Assembly Election: How many wives of strongmen are contesting the elections in the first phase, whose fate will be sealed in EVM?