Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) 

Why in News?

• • The Supreme Court (SC) announced that it would shortly consider petitions requesting 100% verification of Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) slips, with the first phase of voting scheduled for April 19.

What is VVPAT and how does it work?

• • The VVPAT machine prints a slip of paper with the voter’s selection on it, providing visual verification for the vote made by the voter. It is attached to the ballot unit of the EVM.

• • This paper slip, which has the candidate’s name, party emblem, and serial number on it, is shown in the machine through a glass pane, allowing the voter to check her vote for seven seconds. The slide then drops into an underneath chamber.

History of VVPATs:

• • The Election Commission of India (EC) met with political parties in 2010 to examine ways to improve the transparency of the EVM-based voting process, which gave rise to the concept of the VVPAT machine.
  • Field tests were conducted in July 2011 in Ladakh, Thiruvananthapuram, Cherrapunjee, East Delhi, and Jaisalmer following the development of a prototype. An EC expert committee accepted the design in February 2013 after it was adjusted, tested further, and political parties’ input was gathered.
  • The Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961 were modified later that year to permit the attachment of a printer with a drop box to the electronic voting machine. After the VVPAT was first implemented in all 21 voting places inside the Nagaland constituency of the Noksen Assembly in 2013, the Election Commission (EC) intended to roll out the technology gradually. In June 2017, VVPAT adoption reached 100%.

What have been the legal cases surrounding the VVPAT?

• • The Supreme Court of India declared a paper trail for free and fair elections in Subramanian Swamy v. Election Commission of India, directing the government to finance the deployment of Voting Vehicles (VVPATs). Former AP CM Chandrababu Naidu urged the SC to require at least 50% of randomly assigned VVPAT slips, while the EC argued results would be five to six days behind schedule. The court directed the EC to use VVPATS in five voting places instead of the previous guideline of verifying slips from one polling station per constituency.

Why does the EC not want to count 50% of VVPAT slips?

• • The Election Commission (EC) has revealed that election officials in a single polling station take around an hour to reconcile VVPAT slips with the EVM count, and five polling stations will have a five-hour wait overall. The EC has also highlighted infrastructure issues, including labor shortages, that hinder the expansion of polling booths where VVPAT slips are counted.

Challenges with VVPAT in India:

1. 1. Technical Glitches:

• • VVPAT machines are prone to technical malfunctions such as paper jams, printing errors, and calibration issues, which can disrupt the voting process and lead to delays.
  • Ensuring the reliability and accuracy of VVPAT machines remains a challenge, particularly in remote or poorly serviced areas with limited technical support.

1. 2. Voter Education:

• • Many voters, especially in rural and less educated communities, may not fully understand the significance of VVPATs or how to verify the paper trail.
  • Lack of awareness about VVPAT functionality can undermine its effectiveness in building trust and transparency in the electoral process.

1. 3. Cost and Logistics:

• • Procuring, deploying, and maintaining VVPAT machines incur significant costs for the Election Commission of India (ECI) and state governments.
  • Transporting VVPAT machines to polling stations, especially in geographically challenging regions, poses logistical challenges and increases operational expenses.

1. 4. Increased Voting Time:

• • The additional step of verifying VVPAT slips extends the time required for each voter to cast their ballot, potentially leading to longer queues and congestion at polling stations.
  • During high-turnout elections, delays in the voting process may disenfranchise some voters or deter others from participating.

1. 5. Storage and Security:

• • Safeguarding the paper trail generated by VVPAT machines requires secure storage facilities to prevent tampering or manipulation.
  • Maintaining the integrity of VVPAT slips throughout the electoral process, from printing to counting, poses security challenges and risks of tampering or mishandling.

1. 6. Legal and Regulatory Framework:

• • Ambiguities or inconsistencies in the legal framework governing VVPAT usage, including guidelines for random verification and resolution of disputes, can lead to confusion and disputes during elections.
  • Ensuring compliance with legal requirements and addressing potential loopholes in the regulatory framework is essential to maintaining the credibility and integrity of VVPAT-enabled elections.

1. 7. Public Trust and Confidence:

• • Despite the introduction of VVPATs to enhance transparency and accountability in elections, skepticism and mistrust among voters regarding the electoral process persist.
  • Instances of malfunctioning VVPAT machines or allegations of electoral fraud can undermine public trust and confidence in the fairness and integrity of elections.

Way Forward:

• • To address technical malfunctions in VVPAT machines, the EC should implement a routine maintenance system and increase transparency in the electoral process. This can be achieved by providing more information to political parties and the public about the functioning of the machines and verification processes. The EC should also take responsibility for defective machines and implement a system of accountability for those responsible for maintaining and testing them. Additionally, ongoing research and development in electronic voting are needed to improve accuracy, security, and transparency in the electoral process. This will help prevent future incidents and ensure the smooth functioning of the electoral process.