Shillong: Meghalaya Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Frederick K Kharkongor on Wednesday said Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) EVMs introduced by the Election Commission of India (ECI) will be used during the state assembly elections, slated to be held next year.
"The VVPAT will be used in the 3082 polling stations in all the 60 assembly constituencies," Kharkongor said while addressing at the launching of the special summary revision 2018 held at the East Khasi Hills District deputy commissioner s office here.
Launching the VVPAT awareness video in presence of representatives of the different political parties during the occasion, Kharkongor said, "VVPAT is a new component of the entire election management by the Election Commission of India." With the introduction of this new element into the voting process, he said, "There will be much more faith and credibility in the voting system. The entire voter s satisfaction will reach an all time high."
The CEO said it is important to educate all the stakeholders of the election process, various officers, political parties, and voters that this is a voter-centric component introduced for the benefit of the voters so that he/she is satisfied.
He informed that after a voter press the button on the electronic voting machine (EVM), a slip will be opened on the VVPAT machine for only seven seconds for the voter to get a view before it drops back into the box.