Supreme Court Rejects Pleas for 100% Verification of EVM-VVPAT, Affirms Credibility

The Supreme Court dismissed petitions seeking complete cross-verification of votes cast using Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) with Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) on Friday. Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta delivered two concurring verdicts, upholding the integrity of EVMs integrated with VVPATs.

The court permitted verification of EVM microcontrollers by manufacturers after poll results, upon request of candidates standing second and third. Requests for verification must be made within seven days of election result declaration, subject to payment of fees.

Additionally, the Supreme Court issued directives: symbol loading unit containers must be sealed in the presence of polling agents and candidates for 45 days, and EVM components shall be verified by manufacturing company engineers post-counting, upon written request within seven days of result declaration.

India’s EVM-VVPAT system, utilized since 2000, allows voters to view a paper slip for seven seconds before storage in a sealed drop box, enhancing transparency.

During the hearing, the apex court emphasized it cannot “control the elections” based on doubts about EVM efficacy, noting it cannot alter perspectives favoring a return to ballot papers.

The bench sought clarifications from the Election Commission, including the reprogrammability of EVM microcontrollers. The court had reserved its verdict on April 18, later seeking clarifications from the EC.

Petitioners, including NGO ‘Association for Democratic Reforms,’ challenged the EC’s 2017 decision to replace VVPAT glass, urging a return to ballot papers.

With the Lok Sabha polls ongoing, concluding on June 4, the court’s decision holds significance in electoral processes.