Supreme Court Rejects Petitions for 100% Verification of EVM Votes with VVPAT Slips
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Supreme Court Rejects Petitions for 100% Verification of EVM Votes with VVPAT Slips
In a significant ruling, the Supreme Court of India has dismissed all petitions seeking 100% verification of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) votes with their Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) slips. Additionally, the court declined the prayer to revert to the paper ballot voting system, asserting the credibility and safety of the current electoral process.
Directions by the Supreme Court
The apex court issued two crucial directions in light of the petitions. Firstly, it mandated the sealing of the Symbol Loading Unit (SLU) in containers after the completion of the symbol loading process, to be stored securely for a minimum of 45 days. Secondly, it ruled that the burnt memory in the microcontroller EVM shall be subject to verification by a team of engineers post the declaration of results, upon request by candidates within seven days. The expenses for such verification are to be borne by the candidates, with refunds in case of tampering.
Judicial Perspective
Justice Dipankar Datta emphasized the importance of a critical yet constructive approach guided by evidence and reason in evaluating the electoral system's credibility. He cautioned against unwarranted skepticism, citing the repeated validation of EVMs by constitutional courts over 40 instances.
Election Commission's Assurance
Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar reiterated the assurance of the ECI regarding the safety of EVMs, asserting their 100% reliability. He highlighted the consistent affirmation of EVM credibility by constitutional courts, reaffirming public trust in the electoral process.
Petitions and Court Proceedings
The petitions, filed by various entities including the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and Arun Kumar Aggarwal, sought enhanced verification of EVM data against VVPAT records. During the proceedings, the court underscored the need for evidence-based scrutiny and discouraged unfounded suspicions.
Conclusion
While the Supreme Court's decision upholds the current electoral framework, it underscores the imperative for transparency and accountability in the electoral process. The ruling highlights the balance between ensuring electoral integrity and mitigating unwarranted skepticism, fostering public trust in India's democratic institutions.
Relevant Laws and Regulations
The verdict aligns with existing electoral laws and regulations governing the conduct of elections in India, including provisions related to EVMs and VVPAT verification. The Election Commission of India plays a pivotal role in overseeing the implementation of these laws to uphold the fairness and transparency of the electoral process.
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