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Introduction
VVPAT stands for Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail which is an independent paper record of the electronic voting machine. VVPAT is connected with EVM through a printer port, which records vote data and counters in a paper slip to verify the correct recording of vote by EVM. Voters can verify their votes before casting ballots which helps to eliminate chances of electoral fraud and rigging.
VVPAT is one of the most important devices introduced by the Election Commission of India in the field of Electoral Reforms.
VVPT is useful for the visually challenged voters, illiterate voters and senior citizens who can’t read or write to check that their votes are correctly cast on EVMs and they don’t get any chance to question about it later. Every registered voter is not allowed to touch the EVM unless a ballot has been cast for that voter.
Importance of VVPAT:
VVPAT is helpful for a voter to check that his vote is cast as per his wishes. VVPAT can be a great help for the voters who are physically challenged and cannot use EVMs.
Voters can verify their votes before casting ballots which helps to eliminate chances of electoral fraud and rigging. Moreover, this system of paper trail makes it impossible for any person to escape from their responsibilities under the Electoral Act.
VVPAT can be used where EVM cannot be used because of its weight or other issues regarding which there are some drawbacks in its use.
Benefits of VVPAT:
If EVM is hacked the system should ensure that only in case of hacking there is a paper trail.
VVPAT will benefit everyone because everyone has the right to know their vote. Further, it would help to reduce the chances of electoral frauds and rigging. It will also reduce stress on voters at the time of voting, who need not be tensed over electoral frauds and rigging.
The VVPAT system gives confidence to the electorate that every vote is counted and it eliminates any chance of tampering with EVM votes. VVPAT ensures transparency as well as accuracy of the voting system.
Need for VVPAT:
Expense of every EVM is between Rs. 15,000 to 20,000 and its maintenance cost is around Rs. 1000/- per year which has led to a high cost of conducting elections in India but this money will be saved if VVPAT system is implemented.
Election expenditure in India ranges between 5000 crores to 10000 crores which is quite high when compared with the countries like Germany, USA, Canada and France which spend 300 crores each for election purposes respectively. This huge expenditure can be reduced by implementing this VVPAT system in elections.
The VVPAT system will also help to ensure that EVM is not to be used in an international election as well. International elections will be conducted with paper trail which will ensure that EVMs are not tampered. This could avoid disastrous effects in the case of the UN, EU or any other international election.
VVPAT system can reduce the chances of electoral frauds and rigging as it has no scope for cheating as it gives a paper copy of vote cast by voter and a voter can check his vote before casting. Hence, VVPAT is beneficial for everyone in India.
How is VVPAT beneficial?
- Voter can verify their votes before casting ballot which helps to eliminate chances of electoral fraud and rigging.
- VVPAT system gives confidence to electorate that every vote is counted and it eliminates any chance of tampering with EVM votes.
- VVPAT system ensures transparency as well as accuracy of the voting system.
- VVPAT can reduce the chances of electoral frauds and rigging as it has no scope for cheating as it gives a paper copy of vote cast by voter and a voter can check his vote before casting.
- VVPAT is a paper trail which provides transparency in happenings in elections such as counting, investigating the cases of corruption, etc.
- VVPAT helps to save money which can be used for other important purposes like educating people, clearing their name in cases of disputes, etc.
- VVPAT is a simple much useful machine which can be used in developing countries like India, if implemented it would help to reduce the huge expenditure on elections.
- It is a paper trail system on which no one can deny their action.
- VVPAT helps to increase confidence level of voters in election process.
- It helps to avoid fraudulent voting and corrupt practices such as booth capturing etc.
- VVPAT makes elections accurate by avoiding over and under voting by the electorates and ensures that every person has only one vote like they are entitled to so that we have fair election system.
- Its verification helps to eliminate chances of EVM manipulation.
- VVPAT makes elections transparent and helps to reduce electoral frauds and rigging by recording the data on paper.
- Voter can check their vote before casting ballot which helps to reduce chances of electoral fraud and rigging.
- It is a paper trail system on which no one can deny their action.
- It will help in reducing corruption as people will know that their vote is recorded on paper, which is more transparent and accurate than electronic voting machines.
VVPAT system gives voters a sense of security as they can check whether their votes are correctly cast or not in EVM poll before casting ballot.
Interesting Facts about VVPAT
- VVPAT slip is displayed for 7 seconds before it’s automatically cut and falls in the sealed drop box of the VVPAT.
- VVPAT does not require battery as it runs on Power pack Battery
- In general, To count the vote of one VVPAT it takes one hour.
- The VVPAT were first deployed in the bye-election for the Noksen Assembly seat in Tuensang district of Nagaland in September 2013.
- VVPAT consists of a Printer and a VVPAT Status Display Unit (VSDU).
Conclusion
VVPAT system is an important device introduced by Election Commission of India to ensure transparency and accuracy in EVMs. Elections in India will be conducted with paper trail which will ensure that EVMs are not hacked or tampered. This can avoid disastrous effects in the case of the UN, EU or any other international election. The VVPAT system can also save a lot of money which can be used for other important purposes like educating people, clearing their name in cases of disputes, etc. VVPAT being a paper trail is helpful for disabled voters as well.
