Election Commission Revises Protocol for Handling EVM Units Following Supreme Court Order

The Election Commission has made changes to the protocol for handling and storing Symbol Loading Units (SLUs) in response to a directive from the Supreme Court. The court ordered that the machines should be sealed and secured in a container and stored in a strongroom alongside the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) for a minimum of 45 days after the election results are declared.

An EVM is comprised of three components: the ballot unit, control unit, and VVPAT (Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail). The SLU is used to upload the names and symbols of the candidates contesting for a specific seat onto the VVPAT or paper trail machines.

The Election Commission stated that all state chief electoral officers have been instructed to establish the necessary infrastructure and provisions to implement the new protocols for handling and storing the SLUs. The revised protocols, as per the Supreme Court mandate, are to be followed for all cases of symbol loading in the VVPATs that occur on or after May 1, 2024.

Prior to the Supreme Court’s order, the SLUs were handed over to local poll officials. The ongoing general elections, which are being conducted in seven phases, saw 102 constituencies going to poll during the first phase, with 89 seats voting on April 26.

The next phase is scheduled for May 7, and the votes will be counted on June 4.