Panjab University gets EPVM patent

Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, November 25

Panjab University has been granted patent for Electronics Preferential Voting Machine (EPVM) which is related to a voting system based on preferential voting as per the single transferable vote method. Prof Manoj Kumar Sharma of the University Institute of Engineering and Technology (UIET) is the inventor of the EPVM.

Prof Sharma started work on the machine in 2010. The design is being modified with improved features. In the EPVM, the complete election process (voting as well as counting) is automated (voting is done using electronics machine and counting is done using the software).

At present, elections based on the preferential voting system are conducted for the selection of various prestigious posts, including President of India, members of the Rajya Sabha and members of bar councils and others.

The Prestigious Oscar awards are also decided on the basis of the same voting system. Till now, the election based on the preferential voting system is held using paper ballots and counting is done manually.

The preferential voting system is a good democratic process as it demonstrates the decision of the masses. However, because of the complexity of the process, it is not used generally.

The EPVM designed at the UIET, PU, will make the system of voting automated. It is easy to adopt and simple to use.