BackHimachal Pradesh, Gujarat polls to see first-ever audit of paper trail of votes
The move is significant because this will be the first time that the Election Commission will count the paper audit trail in a bid to ensure greater transparency in the electoral process
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New Delhi: India’s first ever paper audit trail of votes will take place in the upcoming assembly polls in Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat, lending greater transparency to the democratic process.
The Election Commission (EC) has set the ball rolling by directing its counterparts in the two states to make preparations to roll out the procedure of counting of voter verifiable paper audit trail (VVPAT) paper slips.
In a letter dated 13 October, the EC wrote to chief electoral officers (CEO) of Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat with instructions on mandatory counting of VVPAT paper slips at one polling station, randomly selected, in each assembly constituency.
Although it is a pilot, the move is significant because this will be the first time that the poll watchdog will count the paper audit trail in a bid to ensure greater transparency in the electoral process.
Goa witnessed 100% VVPAT coverage during assembly elections in February, which meant every voter got a ticket as proof of their voting, but there was no official audit of this paper trail.
The new move comes in the backdrop of some opposition parties alleging that electronic voting machines (EVMs) are vulnerable to tampering. Following a meeting with all political parties in May, the EC said it would evolve an appropriate framework for the same.
“The draw of lots must be conducted immediately after the completion of the last round of votes recorded in the EVMs (control units) in the designated counting hall for the particularly assembly constituency," the EC directive said, adding that a written intimation about the draw of lots must be made to election candidates or their election agents in advance.
The EC wants white postcard-size paper cards with printed assembly constituency number, name and polling date to be used for draw of lots. “Each paper card shall be shown to the candidates/their agents before folding and dropping in the container," the directive added.
These paper slips will be counted in a special ‘VVPAT counting booth’. The entire process will be videographed. It will be overseen by the returning officer who will issue a certificate after the completion of the process.
Assembly elections in Himachal Pradesh will be held on 9 November and counting is on 18 December. The schedule for Gujarat is yet to be announced, although chief election commissioner Achal Kumar Joti has said polling will be completed before 18 December.
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