Totalizer Machines

♤ A totalizer machine is an interface, to which a cluster of EVMs can be connected simultaneously and the consolidated result of the group of EVMs can be obtained without disclosing the votes polled by a candidate polling-station-wise.

♤ Counting of votes polling-station-wise reveals the voting trends in each polling station thus leaving the voter open to pre and post poll intimidation, harassment and victimization by the political parties (for e.g. delaying infrastructure developing or other welfare activities).

♤ It will add an extra layer of security to the voting process thus upholding the basic principle of secret ballot as the present EVMs do not provide any avenues for mixing of votes. Mixing of votes is analogous to physical mixing of votes as mandated under the Rule no 59A of the Election Rules which states “mixing of votes in cases where it is considered ‘absolutely necessary’.”

♤ However, it has been argued that it camouflages the booth-wise performance of candidates which is essential for parties to devise “booth-management” strategies (working at booth level to mobilise voters).