The anticipation is palpable as the nation awaits the pronouncement of a significant judgement by the Supreme Court tomorrow. At the heart of the matter lies a batch of petitions advocating for 100% verification of votes cast through Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) with the Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) slips. This verdict could potentially redefine the landscape of electoral transparency in India.
A bench comprising Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta had reserved judgment on April 18, following two days of intense hearings. The Court reconvened on April 24 to seek technical clarifications from the Election Commission of India (ECI), underscoring the complexity and gravity of the issue at hand.
The crux of the debate revolves around the efficacy and integrity of the electoral process, particularly concerning the security features of EVMs and VVPATs. During the hearings, the bench engaged extensively with ECI officials, who adamantly asserted that EVMs are impervious to tampering. However, concerns were raised regarding the feasibility of conducting a complete count of VVPAT slips, with the ECI deeming it practically unviable.
Petitions filed by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), Abhay Bhakchand Chhajed, and Arun Kumar Aggarwal underscore the paramount importance of bolstering voter confidence through enhanced transparency measures. Advocates argue that any delay in result declaration is a minor trade-off for ensuring the sanctity of the electoral process. The bench, meanwhile, expressed reservations about manual counting processes, citing the potential for human error and manipulation.
Currently, the ECI randomly verifies VVPAT slips from five polling booths per assembly segment in a Parliamentary constituency, pursuant to a directive issued by the Supreme Court in 2019. This move marked an incremental shift from the previous verification of one polling booth per assembly segment. However, petitioners contend that this falls short of the desired level of transparency and accountability.
As the judiciary prepares to deliver its verdict, the implications are far-reaching. A ruling in favor of 100% VVPAT verification would signal a significant stride towards bolstering public trust in the electoral process. It would underscore the judiciary's commitment to upholding democratic principles and ensuring free and fair elections.
In a democracy, the sanctity of the electoral process is sacrosanct. It is incumbent upon all stakeholders—judiciary, executive, and electoral bodies—to uphold the integrity of elections, the cornerstone of democracy. Tomorrow's verdict holds the promise of ushering in a new era of transparency and accountability in India's electoral landscape, reaffirming the nation's commitment to democratic ideals.
