ECI has developed new Remote Electronic Voting Machines for migrants to cast vote Remotely from their place

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has developed a new prototype for a Multi- Constituency  Remote Electronic Voting Machine (REVM) that helps migrant voters with Remote voting facility..RVM's can handle multiple constituencies from a single Remote Polling Booth. The EVM's  which was developed by public undertaking can handle up to 72 Multiple Constituencies from a single remote polling booth.

Remote Electronic Voting Machine

The Election Commission of India has invited 8 national parties and 57 state political parties on January 16  demonstrate the smooth functioning of the Multi Constituency prototype remote EVM functioning. The main aim is to find the credible technological solution that is easily accessible and acceptable to all

The information has already shared with them on legal, operational, administrative and Technological challenges defining domestic migrants, Implementation of Time tested Model Code of Conduct, Ensuring secrecy of voting, Voters identification process for polling agents, Remote Voting process and methods and counting of votes.

The laws and rules that are required to implement remote voting is The Representation of People's Ac of 1950 and 1951 , The Conduct of Election rules 1961 and The Registration of Election Rules 1960.The ECM has also requested all political parties to express their views in Written format on various issues related to legislation, Administrative procedure changes and also on Voting methodology or Remote Voting Machine Technology by January 31.

The administrative challenges includes Remote Voters self declaration aspects make sure the confidentiality of voting at remote voting boots and make certain identification of voters to avoid enactment, The other areas include the appointment of polling personnel for remote polling stations and supervision.The technological challenges includes the remote voting methodology and the intimacy of voters with respect to the Multi Constituency Remote EVM and counting of votes.

The main idea is to implement Voter Portability using RVM technology as a pilot project in the upcoming Assembly Elections in nine states in 2023.If it is successful then it will be fully implemented in general elections 2024. 

This is a new initiative can lead to social transformation for increasing voters participation in electoral democracy. If implemented perfectly this is very much useful for the migrants so that they need not  travel to their home districts to caste their vote. This will increase the Voter turnout in the election. Voters will exercise their vote from a single machine.