Topics covered: RPA related issues.
Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT):
Context:
The Election Commission has decided to use Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) along with Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) at all the Polling Stations in the upcoming assembly elections in four states and Union territory.
What is VVPAT?
- Voter verifiable paper audit trail (VVPAT) is a method of providing feedback to voters using EVMs.
- A VVPAT is intended as an independent verification system for voting machines designed to allow voters to verify that their vote was cast correctly, and to provide a means to audit the stored electronic results.
- It contains the name of the candidate for whom vote has been cast and symbol of the party/individual candidate.
Significance and the need for VVPATs:
- The VVPAT helps to detect potential election fraud or malfunction in the Electronic Voting Machine.
- It provides a means to audit the stored electronic results. It serves as an additional barrier to change or destroy votes.
- The EVMs with VVPAT system ensure the accuracy of the voting system with fullest transparency and restores the confidence of the voters.
- EVMs and VVPATs also speed up the election process as counting votes on EVMs takes much lesser time than counting paper ballots.
InstaLinks:
Prelims Link:
- About VVPAT.
- Features.
- What are EVMs?
- About the right to vote.
Mains Link:
Discuss the significance of Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) in Elections.
Sources: the Hindu.
