In a crucial development ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the Supreme Court has demanded clarification from the Election Commission of India (ECI) regarding the functioning of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in conjunction with Voter-Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) records. During the hearing of petitions advocating for 100 percent verification of EVMs against VVPAT records, the apex court underscored the necessity for sanctity in the electoral process.
Presided over by Justice Sanjiv Khanna, the bench emphasized the importance of maintaining trust in the electoral mechanism. “This is the electoral process. There has to be sanctity. Let nobody have apprehension that something which is expected is not being done,” remarked Justice Khanna.
Advocate Nizam Pasha, representing one of the petitioners, proposed that voters should be permitted to retain VVPAT slips after casting their votes and deposit them in a separate ballot box. Responding to concerns about potential infringements on voter privacy, Pasha asserted, “Voter privacy cannot be used to defeat voterтАЩs rights.”
Addressing the Supreme Court’s request for elucidation on the EVM-VVPAT process, the Election Commission explained that prior to placement in the strong room, all machines undergo meticulous scrutiny through mock polling, conducted in the presence of representatives from all political parties.
The petitions being heard by the top court advocate for cross-verification of votes cast on EVMs by aligning them with VVPAT paper slips, a measure intended to enhance transparency and ensure the integrity of the electoral process. With the first phase of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections set to commence imminently, this scrutiny assumes heightened significance.
Voter-Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) serves as an independent verification system for EVMs, enabling voters to confirm the accuracy of their votes, detect potential irregularities, and facilitate audits of electronic results. The VVPATs display the candidate’s name and party symbol, providing voters with tangible verification of their selections.
Amidst concerns regarding tampering with EVMs, the VVPATs serve as a crucial secondary verification tool, accessible only to polling officials. They play a pivotal role in allaying doubts surrounding the integrity of the electoral process.
