Former Chief Election Commissioner OP Rawat Explains EVM Battery Use
Understanding the Battery-Powered EVMs
In Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, former Chief Election Commissioner O. P. Rawat addressed concerns about the battery life of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) following the Haryana poll results. He explained that EVMs use batteries to ensure no external connections, preventing tampering allegations. Rawat stated, “The philosophy behind using a battery in an EVM is to ensure it has no connection to the outside world.”
Battery Life and Voting Process
Rawat assured that a fully charged EVM battery can last up to two days, including during mock polls. He emphasized that voting results remain unaffected by battery charge levels. Voters can verify their choices through the VVPAT slip, ensuring transparency.
Battery Consumption During Mock Polls
Rawat noted that battery consumption varies based on usage, starting from mock polls. He observed that some polling stations record 10-12 votes, while others record 80-100 votes during mock polls, affecting battery discharge rates. However, this variation does not impact the voting process.
Doubts Revealed
Chief Election Commissioner -: The Chief Election Commissioner is the head of the Election Commission of India, responsible for overseeing elections in the country to ensure they are fair and free.
OP Rawat -: OP Rawat is a former Chief Election Commissioner of India who served in this important role, helping to manage and conduct elections across the country.
EVM -: EVM stands for Electronic Voting Machine, which is used in India to record votes during elections. It helps make the voting process faster and more efficient.
Haryana Poll -: Haryana Poll refers to the elections held in the Indian state of Haryana, where people vote to choose their leaders.
VVPAT -: VVPAT stands for Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail. It is a system that allows voters to verify that their vote was cast correctly by providing a paper slip as proof.
