Recently, the Supreme Court has sought detailed explanations from the Election Commission regarding the steps taken to ensure free and fair elections. The bench, comprising Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Dipankar Datta, emphasized the importance of maintaining sanctity in the electoral process.
The court highlighted the significance of addressing any concerns to prevent doubts about the fairness of elections.
The Supreme Court’s observations came during a hearing on several pleas seeking comprehensive cross-verification of votes cast using EVMs with VVPAT. VVPAT is an independent verification system that enables voters to confirm if their votes were correctly registered.
Responding to SC, the Election Commission of India refuted allegations of discrepancies in EVMs, specifically addressing reports of an extra vote being displayed during a mock poll in Kerala’s Kasaragod district.
Senior deputy election commissioner Nitesh Kumar Vyas informed the bench that the allegations were false, having been verified with the district collector. The Commission assured the court of submitting a detailed report on the matter.
The Election Commission underscored its stringent protocols for EVM usage, emphasizing the thorough procedures undertaken before and during elections. Prior to deployment, all EVMs undergo mock drills, with candidates permitted to randomly select 5% of machines for verification. On polling day, this process is repeated to ensure accuracy.
Moreover, the Commission elaborated on the testing of VVPAT slips, highlighting the mock polls conducted on election day to count and match the slips. Each EVM is equipped with multiple paper seals, facilitating verification during the counting process by cross-referencing seal numbers.
Senior deputy election commissioner Nitesh Kumar Vyas was present in the courtroom to provide insights into the functioning of EVMs. The Supreme Court, earlier in the day, directed senior advocate Maninder Singh, representing the EC, to investigate the issue after advocate Prashant Bhushan raised concerns about the alleged anomaly.
The Supreme Court’s scrutiny underscores the critical importance of ensuring transparency and integrity in the electoral process, reflecting the judiciary’s commitment to upholding democratic principles.
As the Election Commission prepares to submit a detailed report, the public awaits further clarity on the matter, hoping for reassurance regarding the credibility of Bharat’s electoral system.
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