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High-tech system for foolproof polling
Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail VVPAT systems will used for the first time for elections to all 119 Assembly constituencies in Telangana, which will be held in the coming months In view of doubts being raised about the veracity of EVMs from some sections, Election Commission brought in this new technology that allows voters to verify whether their votes are cast as intended Some sections al
Hyderabad: Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) systems will used for the first time for elections to all 119 Assembly constituencies in Telangana, which will be held in the coming months. In view of doubts being raised about the veracity of EVMs from some sections, Election Commission brought in this new technology that allows voters to verify whether their votes are cast as intended. Some sections alleged that the votes cast in EVMs were going in favour of one party only.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) held a workshop here on Friday to create awareness on VVPAT systems and EVMs, their usage and first level checking to ensure smooth conductance of elections without technical glitches. All Collectors who are DEO (District Electoral Officers) and Joint Collectors from Telangana districts as well Chief Electoral Officer, Telangana Dr Rajat Kumar attended the programme.
The VVPATs were used for first time in Telangana for by-polls in Khammam district two years ago. However, this is the first time that these advanced systems are being used for entire State unlike in 2014 elections where only EVMs were used.
In the polling booths EVM and VVPAT are kept in a private enclosure. After the vote is cast, a slip is printed containing the serial number, name and symbol of the candidate and it can be seen by the respective voter through a transparent window for seven seconds. Thereafter the printed slip automatically gets cut and falls in the sealed drop box of the VVPAT. The new system was first used in assembly elections during by-polls in Nagaland in 2013.
District Collectors and JCs were told about functioning of EVMs and VVPATs and how to overcome any kind of glitches. Authorised engineers from ECIL emphasised on first level checking of the equipment by poll staff before they are taken to polling booths. They said this would address fifty per cent of technical problems usually seen in first hour of polling.
Vikarabad Collector and DEO Syed Omar Jaleel said that voters have to give a declaration if they felt VVPAT showed a different candidate name than cast by him or her. However, if the objection was found to be false then the Election Commission would initiate criminal proceedings for misleading it.
Meanwhile, CEO Rajat Kumar said that they have informed the Election Commission of India about dissolving of Assembly by Governor. He said that he would be going to New Delhi on Monday for discussions with ECI. When asked about likely dates for elections, he said that Telangana Electoral Office has to submit its preparedness for holding election and only after that ECI would think of election dates.
" Issues like number of EVMs and VVPATs requirement, finalisation of voters and cut-off date for revision of electoral rolls, budget issues, law and order personnel and paramilitary forces needed for smooth conduct of polls have to be worked out and ECI be informed about it. Then it will decide on how to adjust the machinery and man power and only afterward dates will be announced," the CEO said.
