Poll panel gives nod to EVM paper trail,Nagaland bypoll in Sept to be first test

The commission’s decision to use VVPAT system comes after the Ministry of Law and Justice issued a notification on August 14,making an amendment to the Conduct of Elections Rules,1961,providing that a printer with a drop box of such design,as may be approved by Election Commission,may be attached to a voting machine for printing a paper trail of the vote.

Election Commissioner Dr Nasim Zaidi told The Sunday Express,“After seeing the response in Noksen bypoll,use of VVPAT will be started in other upcoming elections in a phased manner because huge production of paper trailing machines would be required.”

The poll panel has issued directives to hold special meetings with the contesting candidates in Noksen constituency to brief them about the new system. Special training session for poll officers about use of VVPAT will also be organised soon and steps taken to educate the electors too.

In VVPAT system,after casting the vote by pressing the button in EVM,the elector will be able to view through a transparent window of the printer,kept along with the balloting unit inside the voting compartment,the printed paper slip showing the serial number,name and the symbol of the candidate for whom he had cast his vote before such paper slip gets cut and drops in the drop box of the printer.

The poll officials will seal the printed paper slips which would not be destroyed without the approval of the EC.

“Paper trail will end the confusion in the voter that he used to have with EVMs whether his vote was recorded with the same candidate for whom he had cast his vote or it was recorded with any other candidate,” said an official.

If any elector alleges that the slip generated by the printer has shown the name or symbol of the candidate other than one he voted for,the presiding officer will obtain a written declaration from the elector after warning the elector about the consequences of making a false declaration. The presiding officer may then permit the elector to record a test vote in the voting machine in his presence and in the presence of candidates or polling agents and observe the paper slip generate by the printer. If the allegation is found true,the presiding officer will stop recording of votes in that EVM.