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The recent Maharashtra assembly elections saw a rigorous verification process of voting machines, bolstering the Election Commission's confidence in the integrity of the electoral system. A key finding was the perfect match between the results from 1,440 randomly selected Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trails (VVPATs) and the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) they were paired with. This verification, encompassing 5% of VVPATs per constituency, served to allay concerns raised by opposition parties regarding the credibility of EVMs and the potential for manipulation. Maharashtra's Additional Chief Electoral Officer, Kiran Kulkarni, emphatically defended the EVMs, asserting their standalone nature and the impossibility of hacking due to their one-time programmable chip and stringent security protocols. This statement directly addresses the calls from some opposition parties for a return to ballot papers, suggesting a high level of confidence in the current system's security and accuracy.
Beyond the verification of voting machines, the elections also saw a substantial increase in cases related to violations of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC). A total of 659 such cases were recorded, significantly higher than the 366 cases reported during the Lok Sabha elections held earlier in the year. Mr. Kulkarni highlighted the active investigation into these 659 cases, emphasizing the commitment to thoroughly investigate complaints regarding hate speeches and other MCC violations. He expressed optimism that these investigations will yield satisfactory conclusions, citing the high charge-sheeting rate (300 out of 366) from the Lok Sabha election investigations as evidence of the investigative agencies' efficiency. The significant rise in MCC violations from the Lok Sabha elections to the Assembly elections suggests a potential need for enhanced monitoring and enforcement of the MCC during future electoral processes.
Addressing concerns about potential booth capturing, circulated videos from Beed district were dismissed by Mr. Kulkarni as either unrelated to the elections or originating outside the state. He highlighted the swift response to disruptions at six polling stations in Beed, where the issues were resolved within an hour and those attempting to disrupt the process were apprehended. The introduction of EVMs, coupled with the Supreme Court-mandated Checking and Verification (C&V) procedure, allows candidates to request verification of specific EVMs and VVPATs if irregularities are suspected, further enhancing transparency and accountability. This proactive approach to addressing concerns about election integrity underscores the Election Commission's commitment to maintaining public trust and ensuring fair elections. The explanation offered regarding the 99% battery charge displayed on some EVMs clarified that the power pack's functionality is not analogous to a mobile phone battery, possessing a lifespan of five years and a significant capacity. This technical detail, readily accessible on the Election Commission of India's website, aimed to dispel any misconceptions about potential tampering linked to battery levels.
The comprehensive verification process, involving the random selection of VVPATs from multiple polling stations in each constituency, further reinforces the transparency of the election process. This process, conducted in the presence of observers, counting agents, candidates, and officials, allows for independent verification of the EVM counts. The lottery system used to select the VVPATs ensures randomness and minimizes the possibility of bias. The emphasis on transparency throughout the process, from the verification of VVPATs to the investigation of MCC violations, highlights the Election Commission's commitment to ensuring the integrity of the electoral process and maintaining public confidence in the outcome of the Maharashtra Assembly elections. The robust procedures in place, combined with the high number of VVPATs verified and the resulting perfect match with EVM counts, underscore the system's reliability and effectiveness in safeguarding the democratic process. The official's confident assertions regarding the tamper-proof nature of EVMs, backed by technical explanations and transparent processes, aim to address and dispel any lingering doubts about the fairness and accuracy of the elections.
Source: 1,440 VVPATs verified in Maharashtra polls, all results matched with EVM counts: Official