Election Commission Updates EVM Protocol following Supreme Court Directive

The Election Commission has made changes to the protocol for managing and storing Symbol Loading Units (SLUs) in response to a directive from the Supreme Court. The court had instructed that the machines should be sealed and secured in a container, then kept in a strongroom along with the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) for a minimum of 45 days after the election results are declared. An EVM consists of three parts: the ballot unit, control unit, and VVPAT.

The SLU is used to input the name and symbol of candidates competing for a specific seat onto the VVPAT or paper trail machines. The Election Commission stated that state chief electoral officers have been instructed to establish the necessary infrastructure and facilities to execute the revised protocols for handling and storing the SLUs. The Commission indicated that the new protocols are applicable to all instances of completion of the symbol loading process in the VVPATs from May 1, 2024, as per the Supreme Court mandate.

Prior to the Supreme Court’s order, SLUs were handed over to local poll officials. In the initial phase of the ongoing seven-phase election, 102 constituencies went to poll, followed by 89 seats in the subsequent phase on April 26. The next phase is scheduled for May 7, with the votes to be counted on June 4.