SC directs EC to increase VVPAT audits | Fusion - WeRIndia

As the Opposition parties are demanding VVPATs (Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail), the Supreme Court has directed the Election Commission of India (ECI) to increase sample audits.

At present, the VVPAT slips are randomly checking from one EVM per assembly segment.

But, the Opposition leaders are demanding to increase VVPAT sample audits.

As many as 21 Opposition parties filed petitions in this context.

They had sought that 50 per cent of EVM results should be matched and cross-checked with VVPATs. And the Apex Court yesterday gave them one-week time to file their reply.

In this context, the EC stated that the results of Lok Sabha Elections would be delayed at least by six days if the demand of the Opposition parties is met.

It added that the existing system has been adopted after considering all aspects and a detailed study. It ensures to safeguard and check all necessary elements.

If the current system is modified as demanded by the Opposition parties, the results would be delayed.

Moreover, the elections are imminent and will commence within 10 days, it might not be feasible to change the system.

The EC in an affidavit stated that many assembly constituencies in the country have more than 400 polling stations; hence, approximately nine days are essential to finish the process of VVPAT slip count.

If the parties demand a recount, then it will take extra time.

The Lok Sabha Elections will be held between April 11, 2019, and May 19, 2019, in seven phases. And, the counting of votes will take place on May 23. The results will also be declared on the same day.

The political leaders who filed petitions demanding VVPAT audit include Chandrababu Naidu (TDP), Sharad Chandra (NCP), Akhilesh Yadav (SP), Arvind Kejriwal (AAP), Sharad Yadav (Loktantrik Janata Dal), K C Venugopal (Congress), Derek O’Brien (TMC), Satish Chandra Mishra (BSP), M K Stalin (DMK), and Farooq Abdullah (National Congress).

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