SC reserves verdict on EVM-VVPAT cross-verification pleas as EC denies ‘extra vote for BJP’ reports | 10 highlights

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EVM with the VVPAT. Catch LIVE updates of Lok Sabha Elections Here The petitioner had mentioned that there is no procedure marked by the Election Commission of India (ECI) for the voter to verify that that their vote has been counted as recorded causing a dent in voter verifiability.

The requirement of the voters verifying that their votes have been "recorded as cast" is somewhat met when the VVPAT slip is displayed for about seven seconds after pressing the button on the EVM through a transparent window for the voters to verify that their vote has been recorded on the internally printed VVPAT slip before the slip falls into the 'ballot box', the plea stated. -The Supreme Court bench hearing the petition on VVPAT-EVM vote cross-verification told the Election Commission that they need to explain the steps taken to maintain the ‘sanctity’ of the electoral process.

"Let nobody have apprehension that something which is expected is not being done," the bench of Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Dipankar Datta said. -During the hearing Advocate Nizam Pasha suggested that voters be able to take home the VVPAT slip after they have cast their votes.

-The SC bench flagged the aspect of privacy on the suggested solution. To this Pasha said, "Voter privacy cannot be used to defeat voter's rights." -During the hearing advocate Prashant Bhushan appearing for the petitioners suggested that the light (currently on for just seven seconds) should be on for a long time so that a voter can see the VVPAT slip going into the box after the vote is cast.