No Doubts/Fraud! VVPAT Machines to be introduced in State Election Process
Mangaluru: In addition to the Electronic Voting Machines {EVM}, for the First time the Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) machines will be used in the forthcoming Karnataka State election process, on the 12 May 2018 voting day, to verify that the vote polled by a voter goes to the correct candidate. VVPATs are a second line of verification and are particularly useful in the time when allegations around Electronic Voting Machines’ tampering crop up. Parties have been making regular demands for VVPATs to be used during elections after alleging EVMs may not be completely secure and tamper proof.
The Election Commission recently received a memorandum from 16 political parties demanding that the paper ballot system be reintroduced for greater transparency during elections. The BSP, the AAP and the Congress have alleged that of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) took place during the recent Assembly Elections. Amid protests by Opposition parties against EVMs without paper trail units, there has been a call for procurement of VVPAT (voter verifiable paper audit trail) machines for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
The Supreme Court on April 13, 2017, asked the Centre to respond by May 8 to a plea by the BSP to comply with a 2013 Supreme Court directive to introduce paper trail in EVMs. In 2013, the SC had asked the Commission to introduce paper trails in EVMs in a phased manner for the 2014 Lok Sabha Elections. “EVMs with VVPAT system ensure the accuracy of the voting system. With an intent to have fullest transparency in the system and to restore the confidence of the voters, it is necessary to set up EVMs with VVPAT system because vote is nothing but an act of expression which has immense importance in democratic system,” the Bench had said.
Addressing the media persons during a press meet held at DC Hall, Sasikanth Senthil-DK Deputy Commissioner briefing on the voting process using EVM and VVPAT said, “With the introduction of VVPAT system in the forthcoming election process, the machine gives instant feedback to the voter showing that the vote polled has in fact been allotted against the candidate chosen. The working procedure of VVPAT’s is that after a voter presses the button on the EVM against the chosen candidate, the VVPAT prints a slip containing name of the candidate and the election symbol and drops it automatically into a sealed box. The machines give the chance for the voter to verify their vote. The machine is placed in a glass case in a way that only the voter can see it. The slip is displayed to the voter for seven seconds after which the VVPAT machine cuts it and drops in into the storage box with a beep. The machines can be accessed, though, by the polling officials and not by the voter.”
DC further said, ” The deadline for voters to enroll/register themselves is 14 April 2018, and as per the direction of ECI special voter registration camps is organized on 8 April 2018 in all the polling booths of DK. In this regard the respective BLOs will receive Form-6 at the polling station. As per the Electoral Rolls finally published on 28 February 2018, the number of voters registered are : Mangaluru North-228025; Mangaluru South-230351; Mangaluru Main-190361; Belthangady-213875; Moodbidiri-194947; Bantwal-216027; Puttur-197923; and Sullia-195305. The total number of voters are 1666814, of which 820764 are male voters, and 846050 are females, who will be polling in 1858 polling booths.”
“The EVMs and VVPATs will be used in all polling stations to enhance the transparency and credibility of the election. The first level check of the received EVMs and VVPATs has been completed in the presence of representatives of all the political parties. A two-stage randomization of EVMs and VVPATs will also be done shortly. EVMs and VVPATs are safely stored with the presiding officer/Polling Officer and Balloting Unit and VVPAT printer are kept in the voting compartment. Serial numbers, names of the candidates and symbol allotted to them are loaded in VVPAT unit by engineers of manufacturer, namely ECIL/BEL.”
Also clarifying on yet another point, Deputy Commissioner S. Sasikanth Senthil said, “There was no need to obtain permission from Returning Officers (RO) to conduct private functions on private premises. Private programmes are not of a political nature and do not require permission, and they don’t fall under Election Model Code. However, if the private programmes are conducted in public places, organizers have to obtain permission, including for the use of loudspeakers, from the authorities. Meanwhile, organizers of non-political programmes, including staging of Yakshagana, have to submit an undertaking to the Returning Officer or to the local authority/police station that the programme is not being conducted for any political purpose. There is no need to obtain permission from Returning Officers for such programmes. A single window system would soon be in place at the offices of all Returning Officers to expedite according permission to hold public programmes. People need not approach the Deputy Commissioner for permission”
“Officers of the rank of Assistant Commissioners of Police will be appointed as nodal officers for each of the four Assembly constituencies falling under the Mangaluru City Police Commissionerate. Respective nodal police officers will hold daily meetings with ROs on enforcement of the model code of conduct. Circle inspectors of police will be assigned the security responsibility of respective Assembly constituencies in the district. Our aim this time during the election is to have a smooth and fair election process” added DC.
Dr John Pinto-State Level master Trainer and Pradeep D’souza- Deputy Director of Sports demonstrated how to use the VVPAT, and many journos tried using it and were amazed to note the results. Additional District Magistrate Vaishali and Zilla Panchayath CEO M R Ravi were also present during the press meet.
HELP LINES: General public of DK may contact the following helpline regarding enquiry of election-related information.
– ceokarnataka.kar.nic.in-to search the name of the electoral rolls.
– 1950 {Toll Free}-State Help Line
– 18004252099 -{Toll Free}-District Help Line
– To know your assembly constituency polling station address and other details, you can SMS your Electoral Photo ID card number to 9731979899 in the format: KAEPIC<space>ID Card no {Eg: KAEPIC XYZ150201}
– District Election Website: http://www.dk.nic.in/election; www.deodk.com
– Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Deomangaluru-246148839209978
-A new Whatsapp will be also be launched soon
