Supreme Court Stands Firm on EVMs for Electoral Process, Petitions Dismissed

The SC rejected the petition regarding using ballot papers instead of EVM machines for voting.

26 April 2024

By Payoshi Bisht

A petition regarding the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) was presented at the Supreme Court. The petitioner claimed that 100 percent EVM votes should be verified on the basis of EVM receipts. The Supreme Court rejected all the petitions related to ballot papers and clarified that EVM machines will be used in the upcoming election. 

The SC further rejected all pleas challenging 100 percent EVM votes with VVPAT slips. All petitions were pending before the Supreme Court and have been pending for the past few days. Earlier in the day, the court said that it is very challenging to hold an election on a ballot paper. It also asked for EVM machines and the VVPAT to be verified. The process to rectify it can be done by issuing directions. 

There are two directives issued by the Supreme Court. The first directive states that after the symbol loading procedure is completed, the symbol loading units (SLUs) shall be sealed and stored for a period of 45 days.

The second directive states that a team of engineers shall examine the previous memory of a microcontroller unit. On 18th April, the bench reserved its verdict on the petitions after hearing them for two consecutive days. On Wednesday, the apex court re-registered the petitions. Later, the apex court asked the Election Commission to provide clarifications on certain points, after which it reserved its judgement.