With a view to create awareness about voters’ verifiable paper audit trial (VVPAT) machine-  a device attached to the electronic voting machine (EVM) –  the district administration has launched the awareness campaign and demonstration of the same on a large scale in the city.
Under the directives of the Election Commission, the drive is being run in the states, where elections are scheduled in a couple of months. The drive was already held in the five states, which had gone to Assembly elections recently. The VVPAT were introduced after allegations of EVMs being rigged, which however, could not be proved.
The awareness drive and demonstrations of VVPAT are being held throughout Maharashtra, where Lok Sabha and Assembly polls are due this year. As many as 24 teams with each team comprising eight members are holding demonstrations at various places in Nagpur city. The awareness drive that was launched on January 3 will continue till February 25.
One such live demonstration of VVPAT was held at Coffee House Square, Dharampeth on Sunday morning. The VVPAT device is attached to the EVM and as soon as a voter presses the button to cast his vote, the VVPAT generates a slip displaying the symbol of the party or candidate the person has voted for. This gives the confirmation to the voter that his vote has been registered correctly in the EVM.
Team leader of one of the teams Sachin Lambat told TLN, the response has been good. A number of people get curious after seeing the EVM, and we give them information about VVPAT, its functioning. “The entire voting exercise is carried out live and through VVPAT where they also get the authentic confirmation of their vote. This clears the doubt about the EVM,†Lambat said.
Naib Tehsildar (West Nagpur); Ms. M N Patil, who was also present said “We have been conducting this drive near educational institutions, offices, private companies, marriage halls, where a large number of people gather. It helps us to reach a large number of people and create awareness,†she said, adding the drive will be held at the same venue next week too.
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