Why has the Supreme Court sought Centre’s view on totalisers for vote counting in EVMs | Explained

In a recent hearing, the Supreme Court requested the Central government to examine the possibility of introducing totaliser machines for vote counting in Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). This proposal aims to protect the secrecy of booth-wise voting patterns and prevent the identification and potential victimization of electors at individual polling stations.

The case originated in 2014 when two individuals filed a public interest petition seeking a direction to the poll panel to mix up votes cast in different polling stations to prevent candidates from intimidating voters in areas that had rejected their candidature. The totaliser machine, developed by Bharat Electronics Limited and Electronics Corporation of India Limited, allows the consolidation of votes from about 14 polling booths into a single count, thereby obscuring the individual booth-wise results.

The Centre has historically opposed the implementation of totalisers, citing concerns about potential data breaches before counting commences. However, the Election Commission has consistently supported the introduction of totalisers, arguing that it would enhance voter anonymity and prevent intimidation. In 2017, the Centre maintained that booth-wise vote shares were not detrimental to the electoral process, as they enabled candidates to focus more on areas with lower support, ultimately benefiting all parties involved.

The Court has now sought the Central government's position on the matter and the Election Commission's proposal to address the associated challenges.