In a move aimed at enhancing transparency and integrity in the electoral process, the Supreme Court on Friday issued two crucial directives while rejecting a plea for 100% Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) and Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) verification, as reported by LiveLaw.in.
Firstly, the apex court mandated that upon completion of the symbol loading process in the VVPAT, set to commence on or after May 1, 2024, the Symbol Loading Unit (SLU) must be sealed and secured in containers.
Candidates or their representatives will be required to sign the seal, ensuring accountability and transparency. These sealed containers containing the SLUs will be stored in strong rooms alongside the EVMs for a minimum period of 45 days following the declaration of election results, after which they will undergo examination and treatment similar to that of the EVMs.
Secondly, according to LiveLaw.in, the court directed that the burnt memory semicontroller in 5% of the EVMs, including the Control Unit, Ballot Unit, and VVPAT, per assembly segment of the Parliamentary constituency, must undergo verification by a team of engineers from the EVM manufacturers. This verification process will take place post the announcement of election results, upon a written request from candidates ranking second and third behind the highest polled candidate.
Candidates or their representatives will identify the specific EVMs for verification by polling station or serial number. All candidates and their representatives will have the option to be present during the verification process. The District Election Officer, in collaboration with the engineering team, will certify the authenticity and integrity of the burnt memory microcontroller.
Furthermore, the expenses incurred for this verification will be borne by the candidate making the request, with the Election Commission of India (ECI) notifying the actual cost. However, in the event of no tampering being discovered, these expenses will be refunded.
These directives from the Supreme Court underscore the commitment to ensuring electoral transparency and safeguarding the democratic process. They represent significant steps towards instilling confidence in the electoral system and upholding the principles of free and fair elections.
