EVM-VVPATS

NEWS: The Election Commission of India has completed the first stage of EVM-VVPAT randomization across Assam, Kerala, and Puducherry

About Randomization of EVM-VVPATs

• It is a two-stage, software-driven process used to allocate voting machines to various constituencies and polling stations.
• Ensures that no one—including election officials—knows in advance which specific machine will be deployed to which polling station.
• ObjectiveàEliminate human intervention and bias in the distribution of machines
• Ensures electoral neutrality and boosting public confidence in the voting process.

Working process

• First Stage (District to Constituency)àMachines that have passed the First Level Checking (FLC) are randomly shifted from the District Warehouse to the specific Assembly Constituency (AC).
• Second Stage (Constituency to Polling Station)à Once the list of contesting candidates is finalized, the machines are again randomized to be assigned to specific Polling Stations within that constituency.

Key Features

EVM Management System (EMS):

• A specialized software used to conduct the drawàEnsuring the process is mathematical and unpredictable.
• Conducted by the District Election Officer (DEO) in the direct presence of representatives from recognized National and State political parties.
• After the first randomization, machines are moved to AC-specific Strong Rooms, which are sealed and guarded 24/7.
• The serial numbers of the randomized machines are shared transparently with political parties and candidates at every stage.

Significance:

• Eliminates black box suspicions regarding machine deployment.
• It is impossible to pre-program a machine for a specific booth.