The Supreme Court’s recent judgement on April 26, 2024, was a significant development in India’s electoral process. They effectively placed their trust in Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs)
Court’s decision:
EVMs Upheld: The court rejected the argument to return to paper ballots, citing factors like efficiency and reduced risk of fraud.
VVPAT Scrutiny: While the court didn’t mandate 100% verification of VVPAT slips (paper trail for voters), it did allow candidates to request verification of EVM software in case of doubts about the results.
Enhanced Security: The court directed the Election Commission to tighten security measures by sealing Symbol Loading Units (SLUs) for a longer period after elections.
Arguments for and Against EVMs:
Arguments for EVMs:
Faster and more efficient vote counting.
Reduced risk of booth capturing and manipulation of paper ballots.
More secure against fraud due to tamper-evident seals.
Arguments Against EVMs:
Lack of transparency: Voters cannot physically verify their vote.
Concerns about potential hacking or manipulation of the electronic system.
Limited paper trail with VVPATs (only 5% random verification).
Supreme Court’s Reasoning:
The court acknowledged the concerns but found no concrete evidence of tampering.
It emphasized the security features of EVMs and the role of VVPATs in enhancing transparency.
The court directed the Election Commission to improve security by sealing Symbol Loading Units (SLUs) for a longer duration.
It also allowed candidates to inspect burnt memory/microcontrollers in case of doubts.
Remaining Issues and Debate:
The 5% random VVPAT verification is a point of contention. Some argue for 100% verification for greater confidence.
Concerns remain about the vulnerability of EVMs to sophisticated hacking attempts.
The court’s judgement may not completely quell public skepticism about EVMs.
Conclusion:
The Supreme Court’s decision upholds EVMs but acknowledges the need for continuous improvement. The debate on EVMs is likely to continue, focusing on enhancing transparency, addressing security concerns, and building public trust in the electoral process.
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