VVPAT system to elude J&K assembly elections 2014

Many DEOs oblivious about the system

PS BALI

Jammu, Oct 28: The latest reform of Election Commission of Indian (ECI), Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) system, would elude the Jammu and Kashmir elections- the system that provides a voter confirmation about his intended vote.

Highly placed sources told Greater Kashmir that due to compatibility issues and other constraints with regard to the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), the VVPATs system may not be fully introduced in Jammu and Kashmir for these elections. He said some machines compatible with the system may be provided on experimental basis.

“The VVPAT system is compatible only with post-2008 machines, which are around 40% of the total EVMs. Besides, it takes huge time to train poll personnel," said the source .

He revealed that apart from these operational issues, the commission also failed to get enough number of VVPAT units from the Bangalore based, Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Electronics Corporation of India (ECIL).

There are financial constraints too. "Approximately 30045 EVM machines are being used. If VVPAT is to be implemented in all the machines, it would require Rs 50.77 crore to implement it," said he.

However, he said that for experiment purposes VVPAT system might be used at few places, depending upon the size and electorate of the constituency, which are yet to be decided.

A Returning officer from urban constituencies maintained that they are being told about the system, but they have not received machines yet.

“Presently we are being told about the system theoretically through manuals.  However authorities are saying that some of these systems are on transit,” he said.

 Giving details about the utility of the system, he said that it would help to dispel doubts of voters about any type of manipulations in the EVMs.

Meanwhile, when contacted many District Election Officers (DEOs) expressed their ignorance about the Vote Verifier.

“Although we are not informed about the system, but the name signifies that it must be something about verification of the voters,” said a DEO , wishing anonymity.

VVPAT is a system, wherein a voter will be able to see the image of the symbol of the candidate to whom he has voted. The image, which could be viewed through a glass window for seven seconds, would be retained in the VVPAT unit.

It is an independent verification system that allows voter to verify that his vote was cast correctly, to detect possible election fraud or malfunction, and to provide a means to audit the stored electronic results.