ECI makes arrangements to prevent misuse of EVMs/VVPATs

Speed Post News Network

New Delhi : The Election Commission of India (ECI) has put in place an elaborate framework of administrative system, security protocols and procedural checks-and-balances in Gujarat to prevent any possible misuse of EVMs/VVPATs or procedural lapses in the use of EVMs and VVPATs during the assembly polls. The first phase of Gujarat Assembly polls is scheduled for December 9 and December 14, 2017.

These safeguards are being implemented by ECI, in total transparency, with the active and documented involvement of political parties, candidates and their representatives at every stage, so as to build their confidence on efficacy and reliability of EVMs and VVPATs. All these functions and procedures are implemented through the District Election Officers (DEOs), Returning Officers (ROs), Assistant Returning Officers (AROs) and other election related officers concerned.

In order to provide 100% voter verifiability and auditability of every vote cast through the EVM, the Commission has deployed Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) machines in all the 50,128 polling stations in Gujarat excluding Auxiliary Polling Stations. In the VVPAT machine, a paper slip is generated bearing the name and symbol of the candidate to whom the vote has been cast and remains visible to the voter through a transparent window for 7 seconds. Thus, the VVPAT enables the voter to verify instantly that the vote cast by him has been recorded correctly in favour of the candidate of his choice, according to a PIB release.

On the poll day, a mock poll by casting at least 50 votes will be conducted at every polling station by the Presiding Officer in the presence of the polling agents one hour before start of actual poll.