Election Commission Issues New Protocol for Handling EVM Symbol Loading Units

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued new protocols for handling and storage of Symbol Loading Units (SLUs) of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPATs) following a Supreme Court order dated April 26, 2024. The revised protocols are applicable for all cases of completion of the symbol loading process in the VVPATs undertaken on or after May 1, 2024.

Under the new protocol, the SLUs, which upload the name and symbol of candidates on the VVPAT machines, must now be sealed and secured in a container, and stored in a strongroom along with the EVMs for at least 45 days after the declaration of results. Previously, the SLUs were handed over to local poll officials by the engineers of BEL or ECIL, and returned to them a day after the poll.

The ECI has directed all Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) to create necessary infrastructure and provisions to implement the new protocols for handling and storage of SLUs. The Supreme Court also directed that the burnt memory in EVM microcontroller must be checked by a team of engineers after results are declared if candidates placed second and third in the election make such a request within seven days of the declaration of results.

Why this matters: The new measures are aimed at enhancing the transparency and security of the electoral process. The Supreme Court's directions come in the backdrop of concerns raised about the integrity of EVMs and VVPATs. The availability of SLUs for examination, along with the EVMs, for 45 days after the declaration of results provides an additional layer of verification and strengthens confidence in the election results.

The ongoing seven-phase general elections in India saw the first two phases being completed on April 26 and May 7, with the votes to be counted on June 4. "The Election Commission has directed all state chief electoral officers to create necessary infrastructure and provisions to implement the new handling and storage protocols for the SLUs, applicable for all cases of completion of the symbol loading process in the VVPATs undertaken on or after May 1, 2024," an ECI spokesperson said. The new protocols have been issued in pursuance of the Supreme Court's judgement in Writ Petition (Civil) No. 434 of 2023.

Key Takeaways

• ECI issues new protocols for handling and storage of Symbol Loading Units (SLUs) of EVMs and VVPATs.
• SLUs must now be sealed, secured, and stored in strongrooms with EVMs for at least 45 days after results.
• Supreme Court directed burnt memory in EVM microcontrollers to be checked if requested by candidates.
• New measures aim to enhance transparency and security of electoral process, addressing concerns about EVM integrity.
• Protocols applicable for symbol loading process in VVPATs completed on or after May 1, 2024.