On April 26, the Supreme Court dismissed all petitions seeking 100% verification of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) votes with their Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) slips, along with petitions advocating a return to ballot paper voting.
A bench comprising Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta announced the decision, emphasizing that it was made after considering protocols and technical aspects. Justice Khanna suggested examining the possibility of electronic machines for counting paper slips, along with the inclusion of a barcode alongside party symbols.
The court highlighted the importance of sealing and storing the Symbol Loading Unit (SLU) for at least 45 days after the symbol loading process. Additionally, it informed about the option for candidates to request a microcontroller program check of EVMs by a team of engineers within seven days after election results are announced.
Justice Datta stressed the need for a balanced perspective, cautioning against blindly distrusting any aspect of the electoral system, which could lead to unwarranted doubts.
While concerns about the originality of VVPAT machines persist, the court’s decision underscores the importance of exploring alternative measures to ensure the integrity and transparency of the electoral process.