SC directs EC to raise random matching of VVPAT slips

The Supreme Court has directed the Election Commission of India (ECI) to increase the random matching of paper trail machine slips with EVM results from one to five polling booths in each assembly segment for the multiphase Lok Sabha polls. The Supreme Court has said that the move will bring more “credibility” and “integrity” to the electoral process.

VVPAT machines are being used for the first time in any Lok Sabha elections. They were deployed in some parliamentary and assembly bypolls.

The polling station where VVPAT slips are matched with EVM results is decided by a draw of lots or lottery system in the presence of candidates.

Currently, the Election Commission was following one EVM per assembly segment guidelines wherein there was a random counting of VVPAT machines in one booth of each assembly segment.

VVPAT

Voter-verified paper audit trail (VVPAT) is a device which dispenses a slip with the symbol of the party for which a person has voted for. The slip appears on a small window for seven seconds and then drops in a box. The voter cannot take it home. VVPAT displays candidate’s serial number, Name of the candidate and Corresponding symbol for whom the vote has been cast.

Month: Current Affairs - April, 2019