EC releases SOP for EVMs burnt memory checking, verification with expanded choices for candidates

New Delhi [India], July 16 (ANI): The Election Commission of India on Tuesday released a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) burnt memory checking and verification with expanded choices for candidates.

It includes the selection of EVMs from any polling station in an assembly constituency, the mix and match of EVM units (BU-CU-VVPAT) from any polling station, connecting BU-CU-VVPAT in any sequence and the option of casting up to 1400 votes in a mock poll in any sequence.

The Commission further said that any fear of hidden functionality in the firmware or bias is eliminated through the ‘randomness’ and ‘enormity’ of test vectors in this C-V process.

The vast and varied choices solely decided by the candidates ensure the creation of a very large number of inputs to the EVMs by way of a combination of the number of key presses and the sequence in which the keys are pressed, for a thorough verification, it added.

The Commission’s choice and outcome-based approach for the C-V process instead of a controlled environment process enhances transparency and ensures the active participation of candidates.

“Candidates can choose EVM from any polling station in an assembly constituency or segment. They can give choices of polling stations or serial numbers of machines from within the assembly segment or constituency,” the poll body added.

The Commission said that the candidates can also mix and match BU-CU-VVPAT from any polling station in an assembly constituency for C-V and is not bound to choose other units of the same set at that particular polling station selected by the candidate.

“Candidates can decide the sequencing of connection of EVM units (BU-CU-VVPAT), number and sequencing of votes cast in the mock poll. They can cast up to 1400 votes in a mock poll in any sequence. Mock VVPAT slips will be counted as per the established procedure by the Commission,” it said.

The Election Commission earlier informed that a total of 8 applications for the General Elections to Lok Sabha 2024 and 3 applications for the General Elections to State Legislative Assemblies had been received for checking/verification of burnt memory/microcontroller of EVMs post the announcement of results.