VVPATs at all polling stations in Gujarat Assembly polls

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( Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail) during polls.

These safeguards are being implemented by ECI transparently 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, who are on deemed deputation to the ECI and are under its superintendence, direction and control, according to a PIB release.

Due to Strict adherence to ECI’s robust security & administrative protocols by Election machinery, there was no room for any possibility of electoral malpractices during the first phase of Polling held on December 9, 2017. A miniscule percentage of technical glitches (broken/stuck buttons, no display etc) in the EVMs & VVPATs were reported, which were immediately addressed by replacing the machines for smooth conduct of polls, according to the PIB release. 

During first Phase of polling, only 0.75 % of Ballot Units (BUs), 0.75% of Control Units (CUs) and 2.8% of VVPATs developed technical glitches (broken/stuck buttons, no display etc). With 100 % deployment of VVPATs at all polling stations, voters felt confident and  reassured about the transparency and fairness of the electoral process.