There may be a need to keep a careful watch over the activities of the Election Commission that is planning to bring in e-voting. Already, the electronic voting machines have "security" through "obscurity". Those who developed the EVMs claim that the device is very secure, but we have to take their word for granted, and there has been no public disclosure about the technical aspects of its security. Internet based e-voting is more dangerous given the element of secrecy ingrained in the political process.

The paper ballot is the only secure, workable and verifiable solution for a secret ballot.

If people seriously desire to use Internet or other electronic devices for counting votes, then they should reform the electoral process so that the element of "secrecy" in voting is taken away, introducing the open ballot system. There is nothing wrong in voting openly. What does the voting electorate have to fear: that goons will wait over their shoulders and victimise if they don't vote in their favour? That cannot be a reason because political parties, and their agents openly declare their idealogies, and seem to be doing well in our country, and don't seem to be suffering any such dangers. Getting open about our voting preferences is needed to enable voting accountable though electronic means that work better with openness. The minute the voter declares his vote openly at the booth, the agents can count, and supervise the electronic registers. It will also do away with "invalid votes". Open ballot alone can bring in accountability for electronic voting methods - evm's, internet or anything else that cannot possibly leave a "secure" trail behind. If bringing in openness in voting is not liked, then there is point in using evms or internet to count votes.

BTW, "e-vot-ing" in Tamil, means chasing away e's (flies :) in jobless idling, and e-voting is sure to be a pointless idle exercise in frustration, with none knowing how it helps. e-voting sometimes has a close connection with "e-mailing" also :)