Candidates from recent Lok Sabha and Assembly elections are set to utilize a new ECI protocol, including mock polls with up to 1,400 votes, as mandated by the Supreme Court for EVM verification. This follows the Court’s April ruling granting candidates rights to verify EVM memory/controllers.
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NEW DELHI: The Election Commission of India (ECI) is set to implement a new protocol for the Supreme Court-mandated verification of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) used in the recent Lok Sabha elections. This protocol is anticipated to include a mock poll, allowing candidates to cast up to 1,400 votes on the selected machines.
Applications for Verification
The ECI has received a total of eleven applications for EVM verification: eight for the 18th Lok Sabha elections and three for the Assembly elections in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha, which occurred simultaneously. These applications follow the Supreme Court’s April directive, granting candidates who finished second and third the right to request verification of the burnt memory/microcontrollers of 5% of EVMs per Assembly segment or constituency.
Standard Operating Procedures
On June 1, the Election Commission released an administrative Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) detailing the application process for candidates seeking EVM verification. Candidates must apply within seven days of the election results and deposit Rs 40,000 per EVM. The technical SOP, which will specify the process for burnt memory verification, is in its final stages and expected to be released soon.
Mock Polls and Verification Process
Sources reveal that the ECI is leaning towards conducting a mock poll on the EVMs identified by candidates, a proven method to ensure the machines’ efficacy. The mock poll will involve matching VVPAT slips with the EVM count. During this process, candidates or their representatives can cast votes. Furthermore, candidates can choose the sequence in which the three parts of the EVM — the Control Unit (CU), Ballot Unit (BU), and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail Unit (VVPAT) — are connected.
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EVM Components and Functioning
The CU controls the EVM’s operation, preventing votes from being cast unless activated. The BU lists the parties and candidates, while the VVPAT prints a slip with the candidate’s symbol for vote verification. Currently, the BU connects to the VVPAT, which in turn connects to the CU. This sequence can be altered without impacting the machine’s function, allowing candidates to have the components connected in any order they prefer.
Supreme Court’s Directions
On April 26, the Supreme Court rejected a plea for 100% verification of VVPAT slips against EVM counts. However, it mandated several post-counting procedural changes to boost confidence in the electronic voting system. The court instructed the ECI to seal and store the symbol loading units (SLUs) for 45 days post-results. These SLUs, which upload election symbols to VVPAT machines, must be handled like EVMs after the results are declared.
Candidate Rights and Procedures
The Supreme Court’s unprecedented decision also granted candidates who finished second and third the right to request EVM verification. According to the administrative SOP, candidates have a week from the results’ announcement to apply for verification. Verification will commence 45 days after the results, allowing time for potential election petitions. If an election petition is filed, candidates must obtain special permission from the High Court to verify EVMs from the concerned constituency, as these machines are sealed by the ECI.
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The upcoming technical SOP will clarify the procedure for burnt memory verification and other technical details. As the ECI finalizes these protocols, it aims to enhance transparency and trust in the electoral process, ensuring that every candidate has the opportunity to verify the accuracy and integrity of the EVMs used in the elections.
