The state general administration department has sanctioned Rs 92 lakh fund for the VVPAT system
After an electronic voting machine (EVM) used in the Zilla Parishad polls in Buldhana in February was found to be faulty, the State Election Commission for the first time decided to use voter-verifiable paper audit trail (VVPAT) in Nanded Municipal Corporation elections in October.
The state general administration department has sanctioned Rs 92 lakh fund for the VVPAT system. "Questions and doubts were raised over the efficiency of EVMs. In the recent local body elections in Buldhana district, in one booth, some of the votes polled in the name of an independent candidate were found to be transferred to the BJP candidate. Therefore, we have decided to use the EVMs with VVPAT system in Nanded Municipal Corporation election," said a senior official from the state General Administration department requesting anonymity.
He said the people's confidence over the election system should not be eroded. "To ensure complete transparency and win confidence in the current voting system, we will add VVPAT to the existing system. People have to cast their vote without any fear and bias. The 350 voter verified trail audit trail will be used in Nanded. The total cost of these voters paper audit trail is the Rs 92 lakh," he added.
BJP leader Subramanian Swamy had filed a petition in the Supreme Court against the Election Commission of India over the use of VVPAT in 2013. The apex court had asked the EC to use VVPAT system for transparent elections. But it was delayed citing lack of fund. Moreover, the contempt petition was also filed by the Backward & Minority Community Employees Federation (BAMCEF) for not complying with the apex court order in Swamy vs. Election Commission of India.
Anil Galgali, the RTI activist welcomed the SEC decision. "The VVPAT system should be used in all elections. It has been proven that EVMs can malfunction. The VVPAT should not be restricted to the pilot project only. We request the respective government to provide adequate fund to the state election commissions," Galgali said.
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