New Delhi: In a landmark judgment, the Supreme Court of India has addressed the ongoing concerns surrounding the use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in the electoral process. The apex court’s decision came after a series of petitions were filed questioning the reliability and transparency of EVMs, particularly with the Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) system.
Key Highlights of the Supreme Court’s Decision:
- Petition Dismissal: The two-judge bench, comprising Justice Sanjeev Khanna and Justice Dipankar Dutta, dismissed the petitions demanding 100 percent VVPAT slip matching with EVM votes.
- Vote Verification: The court has instituted a new protocol where candidates can request vote verification at their own expense. Should any discrepancies or tampering be detected, the candidates will be reimbursed.
- Symbol Loading Unit (SLU) Security: Post-election, the SLU must be sealed and safeguarded for a period of 45 days to ensure the integrity of the voting process.
- EVM Scrutiny: Candidates are granted the right to have the EVM’s microcontroller program inspected by a technical team within seven days following the election results announcement. This option is available to candidates who finish second and third in the election.
- Constructive Criticism Encouraged: The court emphasized the importance of a balanced approach to criticism of the electoral system, advocating for meaningful discourse that fosters trust and cooperation among democratic institutions.
Justice Dutta remarked on the necessity of maintaining harmony and trust among the pillars of democracy, highlighting that a culture of trust and cooperation can amplify the voice of democracy.
The Supreme Court’s directive also includes a suggestion for the Election Commission to consider the implementation of electronic machines for counting VVPAT slips and the possibility of assigning barcodes to each party’s election symbol to streamline the process.
This ruling is expected to have significant implications for the future conduct of elections in India, as it seeks to balance the need for technological advancement with the imperative of maintaining electoral integrity.
