A DIPR feature
Dimapur, Dec. 7: The Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) is an independent system attached with the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) that allows the voters to verify that their votes are cast as intended.
The VVPAT is attached to the ballot unit of the EVM and both the ballot unit and the VVPAT are placed in the voting compartment. The VVPAT has a small transparent glass window on it. When a voter comes to vote and presses the blue button on the ballot unit to vote for the candidate, the glass window on the VVPAT lights up. A printed paper slip containing the serial number, name of the candidate and election symbol of the candidate is then visible to the voter from behind the glass window. The voter witnesses all these details on the paper slip and is satisfied that the vote has been cast as intended.The printed paper slip remains visible to the voter through the transparent glass window for seven seconds. After seven seconds, the printed paper slip gets automatically cut and falls into the sealed printed paper slip compartment / drop box of the VVPAT below followed by a beep sound. Thereafter the light goes off behind the glass window.
During counting, after the votes have been counted using the control unit of the EVM and the result sheet is prepared and announced by the returning officer (RO), the candidate / election agent / counting agent may apply in writing to the RO to count the printed paper slips accumulated in the drop box of the VVPAT in respect of any polling station giving the reasons for such requests.
In such a case, the RO shall, pass a speaking order on whether the counting of paper slips shall be done or not. While deciding the matter the RO shall give consideration to factors like the total number of votes polled in that polling station and the margin of votes between the winning candidate and the candidate making the application; whether the EVM met with any defect and was replaced during the poll at that polling station or whether there was any complaint about the VVPAT at that polling station during poll.
In cases that the RO decides to allow counting of the printed paper slips of any polling station, the same shall be done and the printed paper slips count shall be considered in the result sheet.
The Election Commission of India has directed that from now on, VVPAT shall be used with EVMs at all the polling stations in all the future elections to the Parliament and state legislative assemblies. The VVPAT is thus going to enhance the transparency and verifiability in poll process. (Source: chief electoral officer, Nagaland)
