PANJIM: Gearing up for the 2017 State Assembly elections, the Chief Electoral Office (CEO) on Thursday conducted a demonstration on use of voter verifiable paper audit trail system (VVPAT) for political parties. VVPAT system would be used for the very first time in the State elections along with electronic voting machines (EVMs).
Speaking to media persons, CEO Kunal said that in the coming Assembly elections, Goa will use VVPAT along with EVMs, to ensure transparency in the voting process. A total of 2000 machines will be placed during the elections.
The VVPAT – by which the voter will be able to ensure that the vote has been cast for the desired candidate – will also ensure that the authorities have proof of the votes bagged by each candidate in case political parties raise objections regarding the EVMs and demand a re-poll.
“Across the country, there have been a series of apprehensions about use of EVMs. Hence, the Election Commission of India (CEI) decided to introduce VVPAT, as per which the voter will be in a position to confirm the vote he or she has cast,” he said.
“The EVM will be used to cast the vote while VVPAT will confirm to the voter that he has voted for his candidate and party symbol. With this unique system a slip showing the serial number, the name and symbol of the candidate will be printed leaving no doubt about his secret vote,” the officer explained.
