The Paper Trail - Viable Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) system for Elections in India - SC
Dr. Subramanian Swamy was before the Supreme Court with a prayer to direct the Election Commission of India to incorporate a system of "paper trail/paper receipt" in the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) as a convincing proof that the EVM has rightly registered the vote cast by a voter in favour of a particular candidate.
The Supreme Court in a judgement delivered yesterday was satisfied that the “paper trail” is an indispensable requirement of free and fair elections. The confidence of the voters in the EVMs can be achieved only with the introduction of the "paper trail". EVMs with VVPAT system ensure the accuracy of the voting system. With an intent to have fullest transparency in the system and to restore the confidence of the voters, it is necessary to set up EVMs with viable VVPAT (Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail) system because vote is nothing but an act of expression which has immense importance in democratic system.
Taking notice of the pragmatic and reasonable approach of the ECI and considering the fact that in general elections all over India, the ECI has to handle one million (ten lakhs) polling booths, the Supreme Court permitted the ECI to introduce the same in gradual stages or geographical-wise in the ensuing general elections. The area, State or actual booth(s) are to be decided by the ECI and the ECI is free to implement the same in a phased manner.
For implementation of such a system (VVPAT) in a phased manner, the Government of India is directed to provide required financial assistance for procurement of units of VVPAT.
This is likely to cost the taxpayer about Rs. 2000 Crores.