The Election Commission of India has directed for strict action to be taken against YSRCP MLA Pinneli Ramakrishna Reddy after a video of him damaging a VVPAT machine during the Andhra Pradesh elections went viral. The MLA was caught on camera throwing the VVPAT on the ground inside a polling booth. This incident has sparked outrage among the public and raised concerns about the safety of electronic voting machines.
VVPAT: Safeguarding the Integrity of India's Electoral Process
Introduction
The Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) is an electronic voting machine (EVM) that produces a physical paper record of the vote cast. It has been implemented in India to enhance transparency and trust in the electoral process.
Incident in Andhra Pradesh
In April 2019, during the Andhra Pradesh state elections, a video went viral showing YSRCP MLA Pinneli Ramakrishna Reddy damaging a VVPAT machine inside a polling booth. The Election Commission of India (ECI) swiftly directed for strict action to be taken against the MLA.
Background of VVPAT
VVPAT was first introduced in India in 2013 in a limited number of polling stations. In 2018, the ECI decided to implement VVPAT in all the polling stations for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. VVPAT machines are designed with multiple security features, including:
FAQs Related to VVPAT
Q1. How does VVPAT work?
A1. After casting their vote on the EVM, voters press the VVPAT button. A paper slip with the candidate's name and symbol is printed and dropped into a transparent box.
Q2. Can VVPAT be hacked?
A2. The ECI and experts have stated that VVPAT machines are highly secure and have multiple layers of protection to prevent hacking or manipulation.
Q3. What happens if the VVPAT slip does not match the vote cast on the EVM?
A3. In such cases, the presiding officer investigates the issue. If the error cannot be resolved, the entire polling unit's EVM and VVPAT machines are replaced.
Q4. How does VVPAT prevent fraud?
A4. VVPAT provides physical proof of the vote cast, which voters can verify and compare with the electronic record. This helps prevent fraud and increases voter confidence.
Q5. What were the key findings of the 2019 Lok Sabha election using VVPAT?
A5. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, over 40 lakh VVPATs were deployed. The ECI randomly verified VVPAT slips from over 20,000 polling stations, and no discrepancies were found. This reconfirmed the reliability and accuracy of the VVPAT system.
Conclusion
VVPAT has become an integral part of India's electoral process, enhancing transparency and strengthening voter trust. The incident in Andhra Pradesh was an isolated case and does not undermine the overall integrity of the system. The ECI's swift action in taking appropriate measures reinforces the commitment to free and fair elections in India.
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