Today(on 18th April), Supreme Court examines India’s EVM mechanics amid election integrity worries. Election Commission’s detailed response reinforces electoral system’s integrity.
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NEW DELHI: Today(on 18th April), The Supreme Court of India delved into the mechanics and security measures of the country’s electronic voting machines (EVMs) amidst growing concerns over election integrity.
The Election Commission of India, responding to the apex court’s inquiry, provided comprehensive insights into the operational aspects of EVMs and their associated Voter-Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) units, thereby reinforcing the robustness of the electoral system against manipulation.
During a session presided over by Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta, a senior official from the Election Commission elucidated the complex yet secure architecture of the voting mechanism, comprising a ballot unit, a control unit, and a VVPAT unit – essentially a sophisticated printer designed to enhance voting transparency and trust.
A significant disclosure by the commission was the manufacturer’s lack of awareness regarding the allocation of particular machines to states or constituencies, as well as the assignment of party symbols to specific buttons on the machines. This procedural unawareness serves as a crucial safeguard against partiality or intentional manipulation, ensuring the fairness of the voting equipment.
ALSO READ: Madras HC Rejects PIL Seeking Tallying of EVM Votes with VVPAT Slips; Similar Matter in SC
With the electoral process under scrutiny, particularly concerning the VVPAT units, the official elaborated-
“Symbols are uploaded onto the VVPAT machine’s 4 MB flash memory seven days before the polls, in the presence of candidates or their representatives.”
This process emphasizes the Election Commission’s commitment to a transparent and candidate-inclusive setup, whereby the ballot unit, devoid of any candidate or symbol recognition, interfaces seamlessly with the VVPAT to produce a tangible, verifiable paper trail upon the voter’s selection
The Supreme Court’s inquiry was partly spurred by petitions advocating for a comprehensive verification of EVM votes with their corresponding VVPAT slips, a practice currently limited to a random assessment of five EVMs in every Assembly segment.
The dialogues took a dramatic turn when Advocate Prashant Bhushan, representing the petitioner Association for Democratic Reforms, highlighted a media report about an alleged discrepancy during a mock poll in Kerala. The commission, however, clarified in a subsequent session that the report was investigated and deemed “false”, reinforcing the reliability of the voting mechanism.
Addressing concerns over potential tampering, the court sought clarity on the calibration of VVPAT machines, the involvement of candidates in the process, and the safeguarding measures in place.
ALSO READ: SC To Hear Tallying EVM Votes with VVPAT Slips
Justice Datta emphasized-
“In the electoral process, sanctity is paramount. Everyone should have confidence that all expected procedures are being followed.”
In response, the commission detailed the rigorous validation and security protocols surrounding the VVPAT machines, from symbol loading to mock polls, highlighting the exhaustive measures to prevent unauthorized access and ensure accurate representation of voter choice.
