Why in News? As the country votes for 2024 Lok Sabha election, the SC has given Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), a big vote of confidence.

What has SC Ruled? Presently, the Election Commission of India (ECI) conducts random matching of Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) slips with EVMs at five polling booths per assembly constituency. A two-judge bench rejected petitions seeking 100% verification of votes cast on EVMs using the VVPAT. However, the court issued two directions to the ECI in this regard.

What is the SC's First Direction? The court gave directions to the ECI to seal and store the symbol loading units (SLUs) for 45 days after declaration of results. SLUs are memory units that are first connected to a computer to load election symbols onto it, and then used to enter symbols of the candidates on the VVPAT machines.

What is the SC's Second Direction? The SC has enabled candidates to seek verification of the EVMs - again a first. The burnt memory in the EVM microcontroller must be checked by a team of engineers - after results are declared - if candidates (placed 2nd and 3rd in the election) make such a request (within 7 days of declaration of results). The expenses for this verification will have to be borne by the candidate (which would be refunded in case the EVM is found to be tampered with).

SC's Suggestion on VVPAT: The ECI may examine the suggestion that VVPAT slips can be counted using a counting machine, rather than by humans. VVPAT slips could have a barcode printed on them, making it easier for machine counting.

Key Takeaways from the SC’s Verdict: The apex court reposed faith in the electoral process, saying ‘blindly doubting a system can breed skepticism’. However, its directives and suggestions attempt to ensure that India’s electoral process remains full proof.