EVM controversy: Maharashtra Election Commission to use VVPAT in Nanded civic polls on pilot basis

Mumbai: The State Election Commission of Maharashtra (SECM) said on Wednesday that Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) machines would be used in a single ward during the 11 October election to the Nanded-Waghala Municipal Corporation (NWMC). [caption id=“attachment_4110463” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Representational image. PTI[/caption] Election Commissioner JS Saharia said VVPAT machines attached to electronic voting machines would be used in ward number 2 on pilot basis. The facility would be used in Maharashtra for the first time. On 12 October, counting of votes in this ward will be done twice — through EVMs as well as VVPAT machines, he said. Ward number 2 was selected for VVPAT use through a draw of lottery, he said. The Supreme Court in 2013 had directed the Election Commission of India to introduce VVPAT machines — which provide feedback to the voter — in a phased manner. The SECM had placed order for 400 VVPAT machines from the Electronic Corporation of India (ECI), but the company could not provide so many machines in time, so it was decided to use available 70 machines on pilot basis at a single ward in Nanded polls. There are 81 seats across 20 civic wards of the NWMC. Nineteen wards are represented by four members each, while one ward has five representatives. Nanded is the home-turf of Congress leader and former chief minister Ashok Chavan. The Congress, with 41 members, controls the outgoing civic body. The corporation has 3.96 lakh registered voters. Counting will be held on 12 October and results will be declared on the same day. There are 578 candidates in the fray.