The Election Commission of India (ECI) has recently updated its procedures for verifying the integrity of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), now permitting candidates who secure the second or third position in an election to request a mock poll on selected EVMs following the declaration of results. This decision aims to enhance transparency and address concerns regarding the reliability of the voting process.
The revised protocol allows losing candidates to seek a "burnt memory" verification and a mock poll on up to 5% of the EVMs used in their constituency. This verification process includes diagnostic checks and a mock poll where the candidate can cast a maximum of 1,400 votes on the EVMs in question. The machines will be set up to replicate the actual poll-day configuration. Following the mock poll, engineers from Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) or Electronics Corporation of India Limited (ECIL) will count the VVPAT slips and match them with the results recorded in the Control Unit. Candidates also have the option to load their symbols onto the VVPAT for the mock poll.
This updated procedure comes in the wake of a Supreme Court order dated May 9, prompted by challenges to the effectiveness of the original 2024 ECI protocol. The court's intervention underscores the importance of maintaining the integrity of the electoral process and addressing any potential doubts about EVM tampering.
Several safeguards are built into the verification process. Firstly, the mock poll will only be conducted on EVMs that pass the ECI's self-diagnostic and mutual authentication tests. Secondly, the entire process, including the mock poll, will be video recorded and preserved for up to three months to ensure transparency and accountability. However, it is important to note that this video record will not be treated as "election papers" under Sections 93 and 94 of the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961.
If any EVM unit fails the verification process, a detailed report must be submitted to the Election Commission by the engineer and the District Election Officer. The faulty unit will then be stored separately. The verification process must be completed within four weeks of the Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) sharing the Election Petition (EP) status with the manufacturers. The verification will be limited to 20 Ballot Units, 10 Control Units, and 10 VVPATs per request. The cost for diagnostic checks is ₹23,600 per EVM set, which increases to ₹47,200 if a mock poll is included. This represents a reduction from the ₹40,000 charged during the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.
The Election Commission has also assured the Supreme Court that data in EVMs will not be erased if a candidate requests verification, further emphasizing the commitment to transparency. The court has outlined a structured process for EVM checks, emphasizing the role of certified engineers from BEL and ECIL. This move aims to enhance election transparency and accountability, addressing concerns raised by various stakeholders regarding the integrity of the electoral process. The revised procedures will first be implemented in Maharashtra's upcoming 2024 assembly elections.
