EVM Glitches in Navi Mumbai Raise Concerns Over Voting Tech Reliability

In the early hours of December 5, voters in the Raigad district of Navi Mumbai were met with a series of frustrating interruptions that have put the reliability of India’s electronic voting machines (EVMs) under intense scrutiny. Repeated EVM glitches at polling booths in Karjat’s ward numbers eight and nine, as well as in Khopoli, caused long queues, delayed vote counts and raised serious questions about the technology that forms the backbone of the country’s democratic process.

Background and Context

India’s democratic machinery has leaned increasingly on digital polling devices since the introduction of EVMs in the early 1990s. Designed to replace paper ballots and reduce fraud, these machines were hailed as a leap forward for efficiency and transparency. Over the past decade, the Election Commission of India has upgraded hardware, introduced biometric verification, and rolled out nationwide data‑linking systems to curb irregularities. However, a series of technical mishaps in Maharashtra’s most populous urban areas has highlighted that the promised reliability may not yet be fully realized.

“The entire election process hinges on the smooth operation of the machines. Any malfunction throws the entire system into a state of uncertainty,” said Arun Gupta, a former election observer with the National Democratic Institute. “When voters have to wait, it erodes confidence in the electoral outcome.”

In a country with over 9 million registered voters in just one district, even minor glitches can cascade into significant delays and public dissatisfaction. With 2026’s state elections looming, concerns over the dependability of digital voting systems are growing louder.

Key Developments

Reports from the district election office detailed four distinct incidents involving EVM malfunctions:

• Karjat, Ward 8 & 9: A control unit failed repeatedly at three polling stations, while eight ballot units showed error codes that halted voting until replacements were brought from neighboring districts.
• Khopoli Municipal Council Polls: Local activist Gurunath Sathelkar noted that machines initially rolled back to state‑standard units from Telangana, only for the district to re‑deploy machines sourced from Madhya Pradesh. “The switches caused confusion among the voters and staff,” he said.
• During the count, the Raigad Zilla Parishad school‑Aakurli station saw a single control unit and two ballot units that had to be swapped out on the spot, extending the waiting time for an additional 20 minutes.
• In total, 33 polling stations across ten wards were affected by at least one technical problem, with 1 control unit and 6–8 ballot units replaced during the ballot day.

While provisional voting was upheld, the incidents led to a measurable dip in polling efficiency. Murud‑Janjira recorded a 73.89% turnout, third-highest in the district, whereas Karjat lagged marginally behind at 72.37%. Despite these figures, the prolonged queue at Aakurli had a chilling effect on voter morale.

Impact Analysis

For the voting public, the most immediate concern is clarity and speed. Prolonged wait times can deter second‑time voters and create frustration, especially among newly registered voters and international students who rely on the Election Commission’s streamlined processes.

International students residing in Mumbai often travel back to their home districts for voting or require assistance with absentee ballots. “When the machines aren’t functioning properly, I was worried about my vote not being recorded accurately,” admitted a 21‑year‑old student from Nairobi. “It also means I’d have to delay the whole process to get back to campus.” The glitches, therefore, could inadvertently suppress participation from a demographic that already faces logistical hurdles.

Beyond individual frustration, there are wider ramifications: delayed count results, potential legal challenges, and a possible erosion of faith in the electoral system. For municipal councils, the risk is tangible: “If voting errors persist, we may see a rise in contested results and heightened public unrest,” warned Prakash Sakpal, returning officer in Khopoli.

Expert Insights & Tips

Political analyst Shreya Menon advises voters—especially students and expatriates—to take a proactive stance:

• Know Your Polling Station: Verify your exact polling booth and the machine’s serial number beforehand. The Election Commission’s website and local polling office can provide QR‑code listings.
• Check for Updates: Before heading out, visit eci.gov.in for any last‑minute notices regarding EVM replacements or technical advisories.
• Arrive Early: Given the recent glitches, expect longer queues. Arriving at least an hour before the official opening can reduce wait times.
• Request a Physical Receipt: Post‑vote, ask the polling officer to hand over a brief paper receipt confirming your vote was recorded—especially useful if machines exhibit error screenshots.
• Seek Assistance Quickly: If the machine freezes or displays error codes, notify the polling staff immediately. They are trained to handle such incidents.
• Use Alternative Voting Channels: For students abroad, explore absentee or overseas voting options. Many universities maintain liaison offices that assist in registering and submitting absentee votes.
• Stay Informed: Follow local news outlets or official social media channels for real‑time updates on polling station status.

From a technical standpoint, manufacturers should adopt rigorous pre‑deployment testing in realistic conditions. “A ‘field‑test’ phase that mirrors actual voter load and environmental factors is essential,” notes Dr. Rohan Sharma, a software engineer who has consulted on multiple EVM projects. Sharma urges the Election Commission to institute a “real‑time telemetry” system that alerts operators to emerging failures before they become public complaints.

Looking Ahead

The incidents in Raigad will likely fuel a broader debate over the future of electronic voting in India. Several policy options are on the table:

1. Hybrid Voting Models: Combine EVMs with paper audit trails to cross‑verify results instantly, reducing the impact of hardware failures.
2. Blockchain Integration: Pilot blockchain‑based vote logging to ensure tamper‑evident records while retaining the speed of electronic ballots.
3. Enhanced Vendor Oversight: Mandatory third‑party certification for all EVM units, with stricter recalls for units that fail in multiple elections.
4. Capacity Building in Polling Staff: Expanded training programmes for election officials to troubleshoot software and hardware glitches on the fly.
5. International Participation Protocols: Updated guidelines for overseas voters, ensuring seamless ballot delivery and verification for international students.

As the Election Commission reviews procurement contracts for the next electoral cycle, the “EVM glitches” exposed in December are bound to influence design specifications and quality assurance thresholds. For electoral administrators, the takeaway is obvious: reliable technology is non‑negotiable if the democratic mandate is to be upheld.

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