New Delhi and Jakarta officials announced Thursday that India will assist Indonesia in designing and producing customised electronic voting machines (EVMs) for the Southeast Asian nation’s upcoming elections. The memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed by Indian Minister of Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw and Indonesian Minister of State‑Owned Enterprises Mahendra Siregar during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s two‑day state visit to Jakarta.
The agreement calls for the transfer of Indian technology and expertise to Indonesia’s state‑run company PT Karya Kompak Indonesia, which will work with India’s Electronics Corporation of India (ECIL) and other domestic firms. Under the MoU, India will provide technical support, training for Indonesian engineers, and a framework for local manufacturing of the machines, according to the joint press release.
Both governments said the partnership aims to strengthen democratic processes by offering a “tamper‑proof, cost‑effective” voting solution tailored to Indonesia’s diverse archipelago and logistical challenges. Indonesia’s electoral commission has been exploring alternatives to paper ballots after concerns over ballot‑stuffing and delayed result tabulation in recent elections.
Analysis:
The deal expands India’s export of defence‑adjacent technology to a strategic partner in the Indo‑Pacific, aligning with New Delhi’s broader push to deepen ties with Southeast Asian nations under its “Act East” policy. By positioning Indian EVM manufacturers as providers of secure voting infrastructure, the MoU may open a new market for Indian firms that have supplied similar systems to other democracies, such as Nepal and Bhutan.
For Indonesia, the collaboration could reduce reliance on foreign vendors and address domestic calls for more transparent election equipment. However, the success of the project will depend on how quickly the customised machines can be certified by Indonesia’s election watchdog and integrated into a country with over 17,000 islands and variable internet connectivity.
The MoU does not specify a timeline or financial terms, and both sides have said further details will be worked out in subsequent technical meetings. Observers note that the partnership will likely be scrutinised by civil‑society groups in both countries, given past controversies surrounding electronic voting systems and concerns about data security.
Sources
– Livemint, “India to help Indonesia develop customised EVMs, MoU inked during PM Modi’s Jakarta visit,” Google News India Politics, https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMi_AFBVV95cUxOMW5hVWt3RVRkQi1sbmtiUmRHX2ZRejBPNHpiY2ZXTzF5d0RnMDF3UlYwUWxMcXA1TTJYQnhXVWNxWHlvUFJJaXBsUXhKbjRmZTVHejl6X09qVEtJZkNwcXEzdWxPR1dmdzQ3S1pMM09rZ1QyVUlFQ3RFdml3dDk4SEZxOUpaWmZXVEN0M3NnaDUxT1lZV196cW1EMXpMaGh0N2dqV19KUkJvMHFTb09TQU5wZmpFNDFmcEszWTllbUtSZmJ2N2NTdU51UDl5aFBjWjdEVUprb1FuRGNvZ3pSUklKSTdWa2FvSUJmUjlZTU04WF9POGdhSk5sd2U?oc=5
Story synopsis gathered from: Google News India Politics — source
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