VVPAT machines for Bhoranj bypoll

Our Correspondent

Hamirpur, March 27

Voter Verified Printing Audit Trial (VVPAT) machines would be introduced in the Bhoranj by-election along with electronic voting machines (EVMs). Madan Chauhan, District Election Officer, said that the VVPAT machines with EVMs would be used for the first time in the state as a new concept to put in place a more trusted voting procedure.

He said that each EVM would be connected with VVPAT. Detailing about the working of the VVPAT, he said the mahine would print a slip containing details of the vote caste which would be visible to the voter for some time and then would be retained by the machine. He said the slip could not be taken away by the voter.

The Deputy Commissioner said wide publicity and general awareness camps would be organised for the voters of Bhoranj (SC) constituency. Pankaj Sharma, block development officer, was appointed Nodal Officer (NO) for this purpose. The Nodal Officer will make arrangements generating awareness on the use of VVPAT machines with EVM by convening a meeting of panchayat pardhans and ward members, anganwari workers, youth clubs, mahila mandals, principals of government schools, principals of vocational training Institutes, etc. He said all stakeholders were directed to make ublicity in their corresponding areas of VVPAT machines.