DESIGN OF RFID BASED ELECTRONIC VOTING MACHINE

A SEMINAR REPORT

Submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements

for the award of the degree of

Master of Technology
In

COMPUTER SCIENCE AND DATA PROCESSING

BY

ANADI ANANT JAIN(19MA60R19)

AT

DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS

INDIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY KHARAGPUR

WEST BENGAL-721302(INDIA)

SEPTEMBER,2019
 INTRODUCTION

Election is a basic process that occupies a prominent place in any democratic country.
Many countries are using technology to effectively conduct elections and to smoothen the
process. Recently a massive general election process concluded in India. Electronic Voting
machines are used effectively in these elections. Though the election commission took
extreme care, here and there some rigging and malpractices were reported during this election
process. It is a difficult task for the polling officials also for identifying the authenticity of the
voter and to stop rigging. If a sophisticated electronic identification system is developed to
identify the voter, then the malpractices can be stopped and it will help the polling officials in
their work. In that direction we thought of a system which can identify the voter ID and check
the voter for authenticity.

This project is a product of that idea. Here Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID)

based voter identification is employed. Arduino Uno is used analyse the data received from
the RFID reader. The Microcontroller is provided with the data base of the all the voters and
theirs voter Ids. After receiving the voter ID from the RFID reader, the Arduino Uno
compares the ID with its data base. If the voter ID belongs to that Polling booth, the Arduino
identifies the voter and displays his/her name on the LCD screen. Arduino then checks
whether the voter has voted in the current voting process or not. If not, the Arduino generates
an enabling control signal to the EVM. Then the EVM gets ready for voting.
1. RADIO FREQUENCY IDENTIFICATION

1.1 Overview of RFID

Radio-frequency identification (RFID) uses electromagnetic fields to automatically

identify and track tags attached to objects. The tags contain electronically stored information.
Passive tags collect energy from a nearby RFID reader's interrogating radio waves. Active
tags have a local power source such as a battery and may operate at hundreds of meters from
the RFID reader. Unlike a barcode, the tag need not be within the line of sight of the reader,
so it may be embedded in the tracked object. RFID is one method for Automatic
Identification and Data Capture (AIDC).

RFID tags are used in many industries, for example, an RFID tag attached to an
automobile during production can be used to track its progress through the assembly line;
RFID-tagged pharmaceuticals can be tracked through warehouses; and implanting RFID
microchips in livestock and pets allow positive identification of animals.
Table 1: RFID Frequency Bands

Band Range Data Speed

120–150 kHz (LF) 10cm Low
13.56 MHz (HF) 10cm – 1m Low to moderate
433 MHz (UHF) 1 – 100m Moderate
865-868 MHz 1 – 12m Moderate to high
2450-5800 MHz 1 – 2m High
3.1–10 GHz to 200m High

1.2 RFID Signalling

Signalling between the reader and the tag is done in several different incompatible
ways, depending on the frequency band used by the tag. Tags operating on LF and HF bands
are, in terms of radio wavelength, very close to the reader antenna because they are only a
small percentage of a wavelength away. In this near field region, the tag is closely coupled
electrically with the transmitter in the reader. The tag can modulate the field produced by the
reader by changing the electrical loading the tag represents. By switching between lower and
higher relative loads, the tag produces a change that the reader can detect.
 At UHF and higher frequencies, the tag is more than one radio wavelength away from
the reader, requiring a different approach. The tag can backscatter a signal. Active tags may
contain functionally separated transmitters and receivers, and the tag need not respond on a
frequency related to the reader's interrogation signal.

1.3 RFID Application

RFID tags are widely used in identification badges, replacing earlier magnetic stripe
cards. These badges need only be held within a certain distance of the reader to authenticate
the holder. Tags can also be placed on vehicles, which can be read at a distance, to allow
entrance to controlled areas without having to stop the vehicle and present a card or enter an
access code.

1.4 Use of RFID in our Project

We are using EM-18 Reader Module which is a RFID tag reader. This is a low
frequency (125 KHz) RFID reader with serial output at range of 8-12 cm.

Fig 1: EM-18 Reader Module

Features

1. Serial and TTL output

2. Along with two RFID cards
3. Excellent read performance without an external circuit
4. Compact size and Cost effective

Table 2: EM-18 Pin Specification

Parameter Use
VCC 5V
GND 0V
BUZZ For Buzzer or LED
TX For data transmission to Arduino

Fig 2: RFID Tags

Features

These are small sized RFID tags. These works in the 125 KHz range and perfect for our
RFID reader.
2. LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAY

2.1 Overview of LCD

A liquid-crystal display (LCD) is a flat-panel display or other electronic visual display

that uses the light-modulating properties of liquid crystals. Liquid crystals do not emit light
directly. The LCD screen is more energy-efficient and can be disposed of more safely than a
CRT can. Its low electrical power consumption enables it to be used in battery-powered
electronic equipment more efficiently than CRTs can be. It is an electronically modulated
optical device made up of any number of segments controlling a layer of liquid crystals and
arrayed in front of a light source (backlight) or reflector to produce images in color or
monochrome. Liquid crystals were first discovered in 1888.

LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) screen is an electronic display module and find a wide
range of applications. A 16x2 LCD display is very basic module and is very commonly used
in various devices and circuits. These modules are preferred over seven segments and other
multi segment LEDs. The reasons being: LCDs are economical; easily programmable; have
no limitation of displaying special & even custom characters (unlike in seven segments),
animations and so on.

2.2 Working of LCD

A 16x2 LCD means it can display 16 characters per line and there are 2 such lines. In
this LCD each character is displayed in 5x7 pixel matrix. This LCD has two registers,
namely, Command and Data.

The command register stores the command instructions given to the LCD. A
command is an instruction given to LCD to do a predefined task like initializing it, clearing
its screen, setting the cursor position, controlling display etc. The data register stores the data
to be displayed on the LCD. The data is the ASCII value of the character to be displayed on
the LCD.
2.3 Design of 16x2 LCD

LCDs are economical; easily programmable; have no limitation of displaying special

& even custom characters (unlike in seven segments), animations and so on.

Fig 5: 16x2 LCD display

Table 3: LCD Pin Description

Pin
Function Name
No
1 Ground (0V) Ground
2 Supply voltage; 5V (4.7V – 5.3V) Vcc
3 Contrast adjustment; through a variable resistor VEE
Selects command register when low; and data register Register
4
when high Select
5 Low to write to the register; High to read from the register Read/write
6 Sends data to data pins when a high to low pulse is given Enable
7 DB0
8 DB1
9 DB2
10 DB3
8-bit data pins
11 DB4
12 DB5
13 DB6
14 DB7
15 Backlight VCC (5V) Led+
16 Backlight Ground (0V) Led-
3. ARDUINO UNO

3.1 Overview of Arduino Uno

The Uno is a microcontroller board based on the ATmega328P. It has 14 digital
input/output pins (of which 6 can be used as PWM outputs), 6 analog inputs, a 16 MHz
quartz crystal, a USB connection, a power jack, an ICSP header and a reset button. It contains
everything needed to support the microcontroller; simply connect it to a computer with a
USB cable or power it with an AC-to-DC adapter or battery to get started.

Fig 6: Arduino Uno Pin Diagram

 Table 4: Arduino Uno Specifications

Microcontroller ATmega328P
Operating Voltage 5V
Input Voltage (recommended) 7-12V
Input Voltage (limit) 6-20V
Digital I/O Pins 14 (of which 6 provide PWM output)
PWM Digital I/O Pins 6
Analog Input Pins 6
DC Current per I/O Pin 20 mA
DC Current for 3.3V Pin 50 mA
32 KB (ATmega328P)
Flash Memory
of which 0.5 KB used by bootloader
SRAM 2 KB (ATmega328P)
EEPROM 1 KB (ATmega328P)
Clock Speed 16 MHz
Length 68.6 mm
Width 53.4 mm
Weight 25 g
4. OTHER HARDWARE USED

4.1 Potentiometer
A potentiometer, informally a pot, is a three-terminal resistor with a sliding or rotating
contact that forms an adjustable voltage divider. If only two terminals are used, one end and
the wiper, it acts as a variable resistor or rheostat.

We have used potentiometer to adjust the contrast of the LCD.

Fig 7: Potentiometer

4.2 Push Button

A push-button (also spelled pushbutton) or simply button is a simple switch

mechanism for controlling some aspect of a machine or a process. Buttons are typically made
out of hard material, usually plastic or metal. The surface is usually flat or shaped to
accommodate the human finger or hand, so as to be easily depressed or pushed. Buttons are
most often biased switches, though even many un-biased buttons (due to their physical
nature) require a spring to return to their un-pushed state. Different people use different terms
for the "pushing" of the button, such as press, depress, mash, hit, and punch.

We have used 4 push buttons to select the preferred candidate during voting.

Fig 8: Push Button

4.3 Resistor

A resistor is a passive two-terminal electrical component that implements electrical

resistance as a circuit element. Resistors may be used to reduce current flow, and, at the same
time, may act to lower voltage levels within circuits. In electronic circuits, resistors are used
to limit current flow, to adjust signal levels, bias active elements, and terminate transmission
lines among other uses. Fixed resistors have resistances that only change slightly with
temperature, time or operating voltage.

We have used 200 KΩ resistor to set the backlight of the LCD.

Fig 9: Resistor
4.4 Bread Board

A breadboard is a construction base for prototyping of electronics. Originally it was

literally a bread board, a polished piece of wood used for slicing bread. In the 1970s the
solderless breadboard (AKA plugboard, a terminal array board) became available and
nowadays the term "breadboard" is commonly used to refer to these. "Breadboard" is also a
synonym for "prototype".

Because the solderless breadboard does not require soldering, it is reusable. This
makes it easy to use for creating temporary prototypes and experimenting with circuit design.
For this reason, solderless breadboards are also extremely popular with students and in
technological education.

Fig 10: Bread Board

5. WORKING OF THE PROJECT

5.1 Pictures of the Circuit

Fig 11: Connections in the circuit

Fig 12: Snap of working of Project

Fig 13: Block diagram of circuit
6. RESULTS AND ANALYSIS

6.1 Results
We were able to show our Project EVM with RFID in complete working condition.
Our project works as we stated. Registered voters were able to cast their vote and un-
registered voters were barred by the EVM itself.

6.2 Analysis

6.2.1 Polling officer is not needed to activate the voting machine as our EVM will accept
only one vote from one registered person.

6.2.2 Polling officers are not needed to check the voters on paper as the checking task is
done by our EVM.

6.2.3 There is no requirement for marking the fingers with ink of people who have casted
their vote because our EVM won’t allow people second time for voting process.

6.2.4 Our EVM makes it quicker to count the total votes casted and whom because the
data is continuously updated after every vote.
7. CONCLUSION AND FUTURE SCOPE

7.1 Conclusion

In this project we have shown the implementation of a system that minimizes the
possibility of rigging in elections and eliminates the need to do manual work. Cost of the
system is low and the system is convenient to use. It reduces the burden of the polling
officials in identifying the voter.

7. 2 Limitations and Future Scope

7.2.1 We have used database of 10 voters as a sample. In the real scenario, the number of
voters will be quite large. In that case, storing them as array of strings might not work.
We may need to employ a database management system to hold the record and
retrieve the data quickly. Besides that, external memory will be required to hold such
database.

7.2.2 As Arduino is programmed over volatile memory, all the temporary data, like who
has casted the vote and is reset. Although the total of the votes is stored, who has
casted the vote and who has not, is lost. So, the EVM must remain in power on mode
till the election is over.

7.2.3 Anyone can carry the RFID card of someone being an imposter. To curb the menace
of these imposters, an additional mechanism would be required to identify the voters
like integrating the voting machine with fingerprint matching or face recognition.

7.2.4 Another improvement that can be done is instead of storing the database locally on the
EVM, the information of the voter can be retrieved from the server, where the server
holds the database of all the registered users. This will allow any of the registered
voter to vote from any polling booth.
 REFERENCES

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21. https://electrosome.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/Push-Button-Switch.jpg
22. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Resistor
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