Kohima: Marking a historical landmark for the Indian electioneering process, the Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trial (VVPAT) was first introduced to polling personnel in Tuensang by Deputy Election Commissioner Dr Alok Shukla.
According to official sources today, this was revealed by Dr Shukla during the first phase of training for polling personnel for the September 4 Bye-election of the Noksen Assembly Constituency at CKS Hall, Tuensang on Thursday.
Dr Shukla stated that Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) was first introduced at Perul, Kerala in 1982. It was used in the entire country for the first time at the 2004 parliamentary election and this will be the first time since its introduction that an additional unit (printer) is added to the EVM.
He expressed confidence that the installation of the printing unit would be successful and enable voters to physically verify their candidate of choice.
As the voter presses the ballot button, the vote is recorded in the control unit and simultaneously, the ballot slip is printed.
It will be visible to the voter for seven seconds through a small screen in the printer. The serial number and symbol of the candidate are printed in the ballot slip.
Printing is done thermally and refilling of ink is not required. The ballot slip is automatically cut after seven seconds and dropped into the ballot slip compartment. The printer also has a paper roll compartment that supplies paper for the ballot slip.
This compartment is not to be opened during the poll and an additional printer will be provided in case there is shortage of paper during the poll.
Dr Shukla affirmed that counting during this election will be done by the machine. In case a discrepancy arises, a petition needs to be filled to the Returning Officer, after which manual counting of the ballot slip can be done. (UNI)