Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT)

Why in news:

• Former Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) S Y Quraishi had recently suggested that VVPAT must be counted instead of EVM tallies while counting election results.

What is it?

• The Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) is a method that provides feedback to voters.
• It is an independent verification printer machine and is attached to electronic voting machines.
• It allows voters to verify if their vote has gone to the intended candidate.

How VVPAT machines work?

• When a voter presses a button in the EVM, a paper slip is printed through the VVPAT.
• The slip contains the poll symbol and name of the candidate.
• It allows the voter to verify his/her choice.
• After being visible to the voter from a glass case in the VVPAT for seven seconds, the ballot slip will be cut and dropped into the drop box in the VVPAT machine.
• VVPAT machines can be accessed by polling officers only.
• VVPAT was introduced in all polling booths 543 Lok sabha constituencies in 2019 Indian general election.

Prelims Question

Consider the following statements:
1.VVPAT trails are used for counting votes.
2.It was used in all polling booths during the 2019 Lok Sabha election.
Which among the above statements is/are correct?
(a)1 only 
(b)2 only 
(c)Both 1 and 2
(d)Neither 1 nor 2

Answer to prelims question