11 candidates apply to verify EVM burnt memory: what is this process?
- In a first, 11 candidates in the recently-concluded 2024 Lok Sabha and State Assembly elections have applied for verification of the burnt memory of the Ballot Units and Control Units of electronic voting machines (EVMs), and of Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) units.
- The remedy of verification was made available to losing candidates by the Supreme Court this April.
- The candidates would have to bear expenses of the verification process, but they would be refunded if any tampering was found.
Supreme Court order
- While upholding the EVM-VVPAT system and rejecting the plea for a return to ballot papers and for 100% counting of VVPAT slips, the court directed the Election Commission of India (ECI) to allow second- and third-placed candidates to seek verification of burnt memories of EVMs and VVPATs
- up to 5% of machines in an Assembly constituency or Assembly segment of a Lok Sabha constituency.
- The court said that candidates or their representatives “shall identify the EVMs by the polling station or serial number”, and “shall have an option to remain present at the time of verification”.
- Requests for verification have to be made within seven days of the declaration of the result.
- The actual cost or expenses for the said verification will be notified by the ECI, and the candidate making the said request will pay for such expenses.
- The expenses will be refunded, in case the EVM is found to be tampered
Process to be followed for the verification
- The ECI is yet to finalize the technical standard operating procedure (SOP).
- However on June 1, the ECI released the administrative SOP for checking and verification of the burnt memory of EVMs and VVPATs.
- The District Election Officer (DEO) will be responsible for the process