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Synopsis

The Election Commission of India has issued new protocol for handling and storage of Symbol Loading Unit (SLU) in accordance with the directions issued by the Supreme Court of India on April 26, 2024.

On April 26, the top court had rejected all the pleas filed before it seeking 100% verification of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) with Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) slips.

While doing so, a division bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta had directed that on completion of the symbol loading process in the VVPATs undertaken on or after 01.05.2024, the symbol loading units shall be sealed and secured in a container. 

"All CEOs have been directed to create necessary infrastructure and provisions to implement the new protocols for handling and storage of SLUs. As mandated by the Hon’ble Supreme Court, the revised protocols are applicable in all cases of completion of the symbol loading process in the VVPATs undertaken on or after 01.05.2024", the ECI's press note issued today states.

The Supreme Court in its judgment had thrusted upon the security of EVMs after having gone into the technical aspects. It held EVMs to be simple, secure and user-friendly. Furthermore, EVMs reduce paper usage and alleviate logistical challenges. 

Court had further rejected the submission to return to the ballot paper system calling it to be foible and unsound.

"The weakness of the ballot paper system is well known and documented. In the Indian context, keeping in view the vast size of the Indian electorate of nearly 97 crore, the number of candidates who contest the elections, the number of polling booths where voting is held, and the problems faced with ballot papers, we would be undoing the electoral reforms by directing reintroduction of the ballot papers. EVMs offer significant advantages...", it added.

Justice Dipankar Datta is a separate but concurring judgment has also noted that there has been a trend in the recent years fast developing of certain vested interest groups endeavouring to undermine the achievements and accomplishments of the nation, earned through the hard work and dedication of its sincere workforce.

"There seems to be a concerted effort to discredit, diminish, and weaken the progress of this great nation on every possible frontier. Any such effort, or rather attempt, has to be nipped in the bud. No Constitutional court, far less this Court, would allow such attempt to succeed as long as it (the court) has a say in the matter...", Justice Dipankar Datta had penned.