The Supreme Court (SC) rejected plea seeking 100% cross-verification of EVMs data with VVPAT records | Current Affairs | Vision IAS
News Today Logo

The Supreme Court (SC) rejected plea seeking 100% cross-verification of EVMs data with VVPAT records

Posted 27 Apr 2024

2 min read

  • The SC issued two directions with respect to the plea
    • The Symbol Loading Units (SLUs) used in the VVPATs should be sealed, secured, and stored for 45 days after the election results.
      • The SLUs are to be stored along with the EVMs and be examined similar to EVMs.
    • Burnt memory semi-controller in 5% of the EVMs (I.e. Control Unit, Ballot Unit and VVPAT) are to be examined by experts on written requests made by losing candidates.

 

  • About Electronic Voting Machine (EVM)
    • Microcontroller-based instrument developed by the Election Commission of India (ECI) in alliance with Electronics Corporation of India and Bharat Electronics Limited.
    • First time used in the general election in Kerala in 1982.
    • Consists of a control unit that belongs to polling officers and a balloting unit used to cast votes.

 

  • About Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT)
    • A system attached to EVM to verify that the votes are cast as intended.
    • It allows voters to see a printed slip for 7 seconds showing the serial number, name & symbol of the chosen candidate.
    • SC order (2019) mandated VVPAT cross verification to be done of 5 EVMs in each assembly segment of a parliamentary constituency.

 

Other reforms by ECI

  • Cap on election expenditure.
  • Restriction on exit polls before the final phase of election.
  • Voting through postal ballot.
  • Declaring of criminal antecedents, assets, etc by the candidates.
  • Tags :
  • EVM
  • VVPAT
  • Election reforms
Watch News Today