Review Petition Filed in Supreme Court Challenges Decision on EVM-VVPAT Cross-Verification

A review petition has been filed in the Supreme Court, challenging the judgment in the EVM-VVPAT case where the plea for 100% cross-verification of Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) data with Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) records was rejected.

Filed through advocate Neha Rathi, the petition highlights concerns over the vulnerability of symbol loading units (SLUs) and the necessity for their audit, which the court’s April 26 judgment allegedly overlooked. The petition contests the recorded percentage of VVPAT slips counted for tallying with EVM votes, stating it to be less than 2% contrary to the judgment’s claim of 5%. Moreover, it questions the ruling’s assertion that 100% matching of EVM-VVPAT data would delay poll result declarations.

The petition underscores the perceived limitations of electronic voting machines in ensuring accurate voter representation and raises concerns over potential malicious alterations by insiders. It seeks a reassessment of the court’s decision in light of these issues.

In the April 26 judgment, the Supreme Court dismissed petitions demanding 100% cross-verification, emphasizing the reliability and user-friendliness of EVMs. Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta affirmed the credibility of EVMs and commended the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) safeguards for fair elections. The judgment also addressed logistical challenges in Indian elections and proposed forward-looking directions to enhance transparency without disrupting ongoing polls.

The review petition challenges these assertions, urging a reevaluation of the decision to uphold the EVM-VVPAT system’s integrity. It signals continued debate over electoral transparency and underscores the importance of addressing stakeholder concerns in the electoral process.

As the review petition awaits consideration, it reignites discussions on the efficacy of electronic voting systems and the need for robust safeguards to uphold democratic principles and public trust in elections.

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