In response to advocate Prashant Bhushan’s allegation throughout a mock ballot in Kasaragod, Kerala, the Supreme Court has directed the Election Commission of India (ECI) to probe the declare that 4 Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) recorded one additional vote for the BJP. The Supreme Court emphasised the significance of sustaining the sanctity of the electoral course of and guaranteeing that every one procedures are adopted meticulously to dispel any doubts or apprehensions.
The Supreme Court directed the Election Commission of India (ECI) to make sure the integrity of the electoral course of and supply detailed insights into measures taken without spending a dime and honest polls. Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta emphasised the significance of electoral sanctity throughout the listening to of petitions requesting cross-verification of Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) votes with Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) slips.
Concerns raised by petitioners
Advocates representing the petitioners, together with Nizam Pasha and Prashant Bhushan, raised considerations about voter privateness and the transparency of the voting course of. They advocated for permitting voters to retain VVPAT slips and guaranteeing steady illumination of the VVPAT machine throughout the voting course of.
Calls for enhanced accountability
Senior Advocate Sanjay Hegde highlighted the necessity for separate audits to improve the credibility of the counting course of. He harassed the significance of addressing considerations raised in reviews, such because the alleged discrepancies in mock ballot ends in Kerala.
Election Commission’s rationalization
The ECI offered insights into the voting course of, explaining that VVPAT slips are seen to voters for seven seconds earlier than being sealed in a field. They assured that voting machines endure rigorous mock polls and are securely saved in strongrooms with political social gathering representatives’ oversight.
Securing the voting course of
The ECI affirmed the integrity of the voting machines, emphasizing that the firmware can’t be altered and stringent safety measures are in place to forestall tampering. They reiterated the significance of sustaining the secrecy of the vote and outlined procedures for strongroom sealing and opening.
Understanding VVPAT and the case
Voter Verified Paper Audit Trial (VVPAT) allows voters to confirm if their vote was precisely solid and supplies a paper document for dispute decision. Amid considerations over the EVM system, the petitions advocate for cross-verification of all votes to guarantee transparency and accountability within the electoral course of.
