Petition Filed In SC Demanding VVPAT Machines, CCTV Etc. At Gujarat Assembly Elections [Read Petition]

A Petition has been filed before the Apex Court demanding use of Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) machines during the upcoming Assembly elections in Gujarat.

The Petition, filed by All India Congress Committee (AICC) Secretary Prakash Joshi, seeks a direction to the Election Commission of India (ECI) to frame appropriate rules, regulations and guidelines for the counting of VVPAT paper trails.

Mr. Joshi makes reference to a judgment rendered by the Supreme Court in 2013, wherein it had directed usage of VVPAT machines for all forthcoming elections in a phased manner.

The Petition, further, expresses discomfort with the rumors that the same EVM machines used in the previous elections would be used in the upcoming elections.

It submits, "This being the factual position it was made the petitioner to understand that the old EVM machines which used in the previous elections will be used with an addition of a VVPAT and it is called as EVM with VVPAT. It is pertinent to mention that the there are serious doubt in the minds of general public regarding the EVM’s which are used for the last assembly elections.  The same machines will be used for the forthcoming elections with an addition of VVPAT, which further create doubts as to whether this entire process of election is dubious or not."

Furthermore, in order to ensure free and fair elections, it demands that only such officials, who are not facing any disciplinary proceedings or inquiries, be deployed at polling booths. Observers appointed by the ECI have also been asked to be instructed to respond to and take action against "ground level complaints".

"... past experience says that either these complaints are left unattended, unaddressed or un-responded. Action on complaints is a key to free and fair elections on minute to minute basis. A system of delay reporting on action taken on ground level complaints to Election Commission, may ensure action," it explains.

Besides, it suggests increasing the visibility time of VVPAT paper trail from 7 seconds to 13 seconds, making sure the paper trails are sealed in a box and preserved for at least 120 days, immediate recounting of votes if a candidate is not satisfied, and using high quality thermal printers and thermal papers at polling booths.

Installation of CCTV cameras has also been recommended, contending, "CCTV Cameras should be installed in each of the polling booth to record the mobility of personnel and persons deployed for election process. It is also suggested that the number of votes polled along with mobility of personnel should be displayed on a screen which shall be installed outside the booth near the tables of the representatives of the political parties."