EVM VVPAT Manual July2018

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Manual on
Electronic Voting Machine and
VVPAT
July 2018
Document 2 - Edition 3
Hkkjr fuokZpu vk;ksx
Election Commission of India
Nirvachan Sadan, Ashoka Road, New Delhi-110001
Website : www.eci.nic.in, Tel. : 011-23052205, Fax : 011-23052219
“No voter to be left behind”
Hkkjr fuokZpu vk;ksx
Election Commission of India
Nirvachan Sadan, Ashoka Road, New Delhi-110001
“No voter to be left behind”
i
FOREWORD
The use of Electronic Vong Machines has revoluonised the Electoral
SystemandintroduconofVoterVeriablePaperAuditTrailsystemhasprovided
greatertransparencytothepollprocess.
This is the 3rdEdionofManualonElectronicVongMachineandVVPAT,
whichhasbeenrestructuredinviewofthe100%useofVVPATswithEVMsandto
familiarizethereaderswiththegenesisoftheElectronicVongMachine,Process
of its Development, Procurement, Storage and legal provisions. On the other
side this manual contains all important instrucons on use of Electronic Vong
MachinesandVoterVeriablePaperAuditTrail,makingitusefulhandbookonthe
subjectfortheElectoralmachineryhandlingtheElectronicVongMachinesand
VoterVeriablePaperAuditTrailsystem.
 Itishopedthatthismanualwillproveusefultoalleleconrelatedocials
and other stakeholders.  The Commission would welcome suggesons from all
usersofthiscompendiumformakingitmoreinformaveanduseful.
EleconMaterialsDivision
EleconCommissionofIndia
July,2018
New Delhi
ii
iii
MANUAL ON EVMs AND VVPATs
INDEX
Sl. No. Contents Pages
1. Chapter–1:INTRODUCTION 1-4
2. Chapter–2:FLOWCHART 5-7
3. Chapter–3:LEGALPROVISIONFORTHEUSEOFEVMs&
VVPATs
8-25
4. Chapter–4:STORAGEOFEVMsANDOPENINGOFEVM-
WAREHOUSE
26-37
5. Chapter–5:FIRSTLEVELCHECKINGOFEVMs&VVPATs(FLC) 38-48
6. Chapter–6:FIRSTRANDOMIZATIONOFEVMs 49-50
7. Chapter–7:SECONDRANDOMIZATIONOFEVMs 51-52
8. Chapter–8:PRREPARATIONOFEVMs(CANDIDATESET)&
VVPAT
53-57
9. Chapter–9:INSTRUCTIONSONDISPERSALOFEVMsAND
VVPATs
58
10. Chapter–10:INSTRUCTIONSTOZONAL/SECTOR/AREA
OFFICERSREGARDINGEVMs
59-60
11. Chapter–11:VOTINGCOMPARTMENTTOBEUSEDIN
POLLINGSTATIONS
61-62
12. Chapter–12:INSTRUCTIONSONUSEOFEVMsINPOLLING
STATIONS
63
13. Chapter–13:MOCKPOLLONTHEDAYOFPOLL 64-68
14. Chapter–14:DURINGACTUALPOLL 69-71
15. Chapter–15:INSTRUCTIONSONEVMINCASEOFREPOLL 72
16. Chapter–16:INSTRUCTIONSRELATINGTOCOUNTING 73-83
17. Chapter–17:DISPOSALOFEVMs 84-85
iv
18. Chapter–18:TECHNICALEXPERTCOMMITTEEONEVMs&
VVPATs
86-87
19. Chapter–19:EVMTRACKINGSOFTWARE(ETS) 88-89
20. Chapter–20:VARIOUSTYPESOFSEALSUSEDFORSEALING
EVMs&VVPATs
90-97
21. Chapter–21:REPAIRINGOFDEFECTIVEEVMs&VVPATs 98-100
22. Chapter–22:IMPORTANTJUDGEMENTS 101-103
23. Chapter–23:PRESENTATIONONCREDIBILITYOFEVMsAND
VVPATs
104-127
24. Chapter–24:LAYOUTOFPOLLINGSTATION 128
25. Chapter–25:DO’sANDDON’TsONUSEOFVVPAT 129
26. Chapter–26:EXAMPLESOFCRITICALMISTAKES 130-131
27. ANNEXURES(1-30) 132-191
1

INTRODUCTION

The Electronic Vong Machine (EVM), the replacement of the ballot
boxis mainstayintheelectoralprocess.Firstconceivedin 1977 in theElecon
Commission, the Electronics Corporaon of India Ltd. (ECIL), Hyderabad was
assignedthetasktodesignanddevelopit.In1979aproto-typewasdeveloped,
whichwasdemonstratedbytheEleconCommissionbeforetherepresentaves
ofpolicalpareson6thAugust,1980.TheBharatElectronicLtd.(BEL),Bangalore,
anotherpublic-sectorundertaking,wasco-optedalongwithECILtomanufacture
EVMsonceabroadconsensuswasreachedonitsintroducon.
First me use of EVMs occurred in the general elecon in Kerala in May,
1982;however,theabsenceofaspeciclawprescribingitsuseledtotheSupreme
Courtstrikingdownthatelecon.Subsequently,in1989,theParliamentamended
theRepresentaonof thePeopleAct,1951 tocreateaprovisionfortheuseof
EVMsintheelecons(chapter3).Ageneralconsensusonitsintroduconcouldbe
reachedonlyin1998andthesewereusedin25LegislaveAssemblyconstuencies
spread across three states of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Delhi.  Its use
was further expanded in 1999 to 45 Parliamentary Constuencies and later, in
February2000,to45AssemblyConstuenciesoftheHaryanaAssemblyelecons.
In the State Assembly elecons, held in May 2001,in the states of Tamil Nadu,
Kerala, Pondicherry and West Bengal, the EVMs were used in all the Assembly
Constuencies.  Since then, for every State Assembly elecon, the Commission
hasusedtheEVMs.In2004,intheGeneralElecontotheLokSabha,theEVMs
(morethanonemillion)wereusedinall543ParliamentaryConstuenciesinthe
country.
 AnEVMconsistsoftwounits,namely,ControlUnit(CU)andBallongUnit
(BU) with a cable (5 mt. long) for connecng the both. A Ballong Unit caters
upto16candidates.TherearenumberofvariantsavailablefortheEVMs.Time-
to-me,it has evolvedand hasbecomemorerobust.In case of pre-2006(M1)
andpost-2006EVMs(M2),4(Four)BallongUnitscanbecascadedtogetherto
accommodate upto a maximum of 64 candidates (including NOTA), which can
be used with one Control Unit.  In case of upgraded post-2006 EVMs (M3), 24
(TwentyFour)BallongUnitscanbecascadedtogethercateringto384candidates
2
(includingNOTA)whichcanbeusedwithoneControlUnit.Itrunsonapowerpack
(Baery)having7.5volts.IncaseofM3EVM,powerpacksareinsertedin5th,9th,
13th,17th&21stBallongUnits,ifmorethan4BUsareconnectedtoaControl
Unit.OntherightsideoftheBUalongthecandidates’votebuon,digits1to16
areembossedinBraillesignageforguidanceofvisuallyimpairedelectors.
Control Unit 
The design and applicaon of EVMs in the elecons are considered a
signicantachievementinglobaldemocracy.It has broughtmoretransparency,
swiness, and acceptability in the system. It has also helped in creang a vast
poolofeleconocialswellversedinitsuse.Initsevoluon,theCommissionhas
issuedseriesofinstrucons,frequentlyaskedquesons,andtechnicalguidelines.
Duringthisperiodanumberofjudicialpronouncementshasalsohelpedinmaking
theEVMsanintegralcomponentofourelectoralsystem.
VOTER VERIFIABLE PAPER AUDIT TRAIL (VVPAT)
 Ina meengofall policalparesheld on4thOctober,2010,thepares
expressedsasfaconwiththeEVMbutsomeparesrequestedtheCommission
toconsiderintroducingVoterVeriablePaperAuditTrailforfurthertransparency
andveriabilityinpollprocess.TheCommissionreferredthemaertoitsTechnical
Expert Commiee on EVMs for examining and making a recommendaon
in this regard. The Expert Commiee had several rounds of meengs with the
manufacturersofEVM,namely,BEL&ECIL,onthisissueandthenhadmetthe
policalparesandothercivilsocietymemberstoexplorethedesignrequirement
oftheVVPATsystemwiththeEVM.
3
On the direcon of the Expert Commiee, the BEL and ECIL made a
prototypeanddemonstratedbeforetheCommieeandtheCommissionin2011.
OntherecommendaonoftheExpertCommieeonEVM&VVPATsystem,the
Commission conducted simulated elecon for the eld trial of VVPAT system
in Ladakh (Jammu & Kashmir), Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala), Cherrapunjee
(Meghalaya), EastDelhi District(NCT of Delhi) and Jaisalmer (Rajasthan)inJuly
2011.Allstakeholdersincludingseniorleadersofpolicalparesandcivilsociety
membersparcipatedandwitnessedenthusiascallyintheeldtrial.Aer1steld
trialoftheVVPATsystem,CommissionmadeadetailedreassessmentoftheVVPAT
system to further ne tune the VVPAT system.  Accordingly, the manufacturers
developed2ndversionofVVPATprototype.Thesamewasagainsubjectedto2nd
eldtrialinthesaidvelocaonsinJuly-August2012.
 InthemeengoftheTechnicalExpertCommieeheldon19.02.2013,the
CommieeapprovedthedesignofVVPATandalsorecommendedtheCommission
totake acon on amendmentoftherulesforusing VVPAT.TheGovernmentof
IndianoedtheamendedConductofEleconsRules,1961on14thAugust,2013,
enablingtheCommissiontouseVVPATwithEVMs.TheCommissionusedVVPAT
withEVMsrstmeinbye-eleconfrom51-Noksen(ST)AssemblyConstuency
ofNagaland.Thereaer,VVPATshavebeenusedinselectedconstuenciesinevery
elecontoLegislaveAssembliesand8ParliamentaryConstuenciesinGeneral
ElecontotheHouseofthePeople-2014.
Facts on VVPAT:
ControlUnitVSDUPrinter(VVPAT)BallongUnit
4
 VoterVeriable PaperAudit Trailis anindependentsystemaachedwith
the Electronic Vong Machines that allows the voters to verify that their votes
arecastas intended.When avoteiscast,aslipisprintedonthe VVPATprinter
containing the serial number, name and symbol of the candidate and remains
exposedthroughatransparentwindowfor7seconds.Thereaer,thisprintedslip
automacallygetscutandfallsinsealeddropboxoftheVVPAT.
 VVPATconsistsofaPrinterandaVVPATStatusDisplayUnit(VSDU).VVPAT
runsonapowerpack(Baery)of22.5volts.ControlUnitandVSDUarekeptwith
thePresidingOcer/PollingOcerandBallongUnitandPrinterarekeptinthe
vongcompartment.
This Manual on EVMs is an important milestone in documentaon as
it brings all previous instrucons and guidelines on a single plaorm for beer
readability.Dividedin26 chapters,itdetailslegalframework,seriesofchecking,
randomizaon, storage instrucons, seng of EVMs (with VVPAT), mock poll
instrucons,counnginstrucons,frequentlyaskedquesons,judicialdecisions,
andearlierreferences.
********
5




6
7
STANDARD SCHEDULE FOR UPCOMING/POLL GOING STATES
 
1 2
AllocaonofEVMs/VVPATsbyECI PollGoneC+30
OrderingofconsumablesLOI PollGoneC+30
DispatchfromDonorStates PollGoneC+60
ReceiptatBorrowerStates P-120
FLCstart P-90
FLCcompleon P-51
1stRandomizaonofEVMs/VVPATs P-21
2ndRandomizaonofEVMs/VVPATs P-14
HandingoverofDefecveEVMs/VVPATtomanufacturers
forrepair
C+60
CompleonofRepairs C+90
P = Poll day
C = Counting day
8


3.1 The Electronic Vong Machines were used for the rst me during the
GeneralElecontotheKeralaLegislaveAssemblyheldfromParurAssembly
ConstuencyinMay,1982at50pollingstaons.Thereaer,thesemachines
wereusedintenotherconstuenciesin1982-83.
 Aer1983,theEVMscouldnotbeused,asintheEleconAppealarisingout
oftheeleconpeonrelangtotheuseofthemachinesintheelecon
fromParurAssemblyConstuencyinKerala,theSupremeCourtruledthat
thereshouldbespecicprovisionin thelawprovidingforuseofEVMsin
elecons.
Thereupon, the Elecon Commission of India recommended to the
GovernmentofIndiatoamendthelawsuitablytoprovidelegalsanconfor
theuseofEVMs.
 InDecember,1988anewsecon61AwasinsertedintheRepresentaonof
thePeopleAct,1951,empoweringtheEleconCommissionofIndiatouse
ElectronicVongMachinesinelecons,whichreadsasunder-
 “61A.Vongmachines at elecons.—Notwithstandinganythingcontained
inthisActortherulesmadethereunder,thegivingandrecordingofvotesby
vongmachinesinsuchmannerasmaybeprescribed,maybeadoptedin
suchconstuencyorconstuenciesastheEleconCommissionmay,having
regardtothecircumstancesofeachcase,specify.”
 Explanaon.—Forthepurposeofthissecon,"vongmachine"meansany
machineorapparatuswhetheroperatedelectronicallyorotherwiseusedfor
givingorrecordingofvotesandanyreferencetoaballotboxorballotpaper
inthisActortherulesmadethereundershall,saveasotherwiseprovided,
beconstruedasincludingareferencetosuchvongmachinewhereversuch
vongmachineisusedatanyelecon.
 TheSupremeCourt upheld the validityoftheaboveprovisioninAllIndia
Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam v/s. Chief Elecon Commissioner and
others[2002(UJ)(1)387]
[NOTE:IncaseofanydiscrepancykindlyreferManualofEleconLaws]
 THEREPRESENTATIONOFTHEPEOPLEACT,1951
9
 .—
 
(a) anyballotboxusedatapollingstaonorataplacexedforthepoll
isunlawfullytakenoutofthecustodyofthepresidingocerorthe
returningocer,orisaccidentallyorintenonallydestroyedorlost,
orisdamagedortamperedwith,tosuchanextent,thattheresultof
thepollatthatpollingstaonorplacecannotbeascertained;or
 [(aa)
 anyvongmachinedevelopsamechanicalfailureduringthecourse
oftherecordingofvotes;or]
(b) anysucherroror irregularityin procedureasis likelytoviatethe
polliscommiedatapollingstaonorataplacexedforthepoll,
thereturningocershallforthwithreportthemaertotheElecon
Commission.
(2) Thereupon the Elecon Commission shall, aer taking all material
circumstancesintoaccount;either—
(a) declarethepollatthatpollingstaonorplacetobevoid,appointa
day,andxthehours,fortakingafreshpollatthatpollingstaonor
placeandnofythedaysoappointedandthehourssoxedinsuch
mannerasitmaydeemt,or
(b) ifsasedthattheresultofafreshpollatthatpollingstaonorplace
will not, in any way, aect the result of the elecon or that 5[the
mechanicalfailureofthevongmachineor]theerrororirregularity
inprocedureisnot material,issue suchdireconstothe returning
ocerasitmaydeemproperforthefurtherconductandcompleon
oftheelecon.
(3) TheprovisionsofthisActandofanyrulesorordersmadethereundershall
applytoeverysuchfreshpollastheyapplytotheoriginalpoll.]
 
 NotwithstandinganythingcontainedinthisActortherulesmadethereunder,
thegivingandrecordingofvotesbyvongmachinesinsuchmannerasmay
beprescribed,maybeadoptedinsuchconstuencyorconstuenciesasthe
EleconCommissionmay,havingregardtothecircumstancesofeachcase,
specify.
10
 Explanaon.—Forthepurposeofthissecon,"vongmachine"meansany
machineorapparatuswhetheroperatedelectronicallyorotherwiseusedfor
givingorrecordingofvotesandanyreferencetoaballotboxorballotpaper
inthisActortherulesmadethereundershall,saveasotherwiseprovided,
beconstruedasincludingareferencetosuchvongmachinewhereversuch
vongmachineisusedatanyelecon.]

 .—
[(1)] Whoevercommitsanoenceofboothcapturingshallbepunishable
withimprisonmentforatermwhich6[shallnotbelessthanoneyearbut
which may extend to three years and with ne, and where such oence
is commied by a person in the service of the Government, he shall be
punishablewithimprisonmentforatermwhichshallnotbelessthanthree
yearsbutwhichmayextendtoveyearsandwithne].
Explanaon.— For the purposes of 7[this sub-secon and secon 20B],
"boothcapturing"includes,amongotherthings,alloranyofthefollowing
acvies,namely:—
(a) seizureofapollingstaonoraplacexedforthepollbyanyperson
orpersons,makingpollingauthoriessurrendertheballotpapersor
vongmachinesanddoingofanyotheractwhichaectstheorderly
conductofelecons;
(b) takingpossessionofapollingstaonoraplacexedforthepollby
anypersonorpersonsandallowingonlyhisortheirownsupporters
toexercisetheirrighttovoteand6[preventothersfromfreeexercise
oftheirrighttovote];
(c) 8[coercing or inmidang or threatening directly or indirectly] any
elector and prevenng him from going to the polling staon or a
placexedforthepolltocasthisvote;
(d) seizure of a place for counng of votes by anyperson or persons,
making the counng authories surrender the ballot papers or
vongmachinesandthedoingofanythingwhichaectstheorderly
counngofvotes;
(e) doingbyanypersonintheserviceofGovernment,ofalloranyofthe
aforesaidacviesoraidingorconnivingat,anysuchacvityinthe
furtheranceoftheprospectsoftheeleconofacandidate.]
11
(2) Anoencepunishableundersub-secon(1)shallbecognizable.]
 .—
(1) TheCentralGovernmentmay,aerconsulngtheEleconCommission,by
nocaonintheOcialGazee,makerules1forcarryingoutthepurposes
ofthisAct.
(2) Inparcular,andwithoutprejudicetothegeneralityoftheforegoingpower,
suchrulesmayprovideforalloranyofthefollowingmaers,namely:—
[(a) theformofadavitundersub-secon(2)ofsecon33A;]
[(aa)] theduesofpresidingocersandpollingocersatpollingstaons;
[(aaa) theformofcontribuonreport;]
(b) thecheckingofvotersbyreferencetotheelectoralroll;
[(bb) themannerofallocaonof equitablesharingofmeonthecable
televisionnetworkandotherelectronicmedia;];
(c) themannerinwhichvotesaretobegivenbothgenerallyandinthe
caseofilliteratevotersorvotersunderphysicalorotherdisability;
(d) themannerinwhichvotesaretobegivenbyapresidingocer,polling
ocer,pollingagentoranyotherperson,whobeinganelectorfora
constuencyisauthorisedorappointedfordutyatapollingstaon
atwhichheisnotentledtovote;
(e) theproceduretobefollowedinrespectofthetenderofvotebya
person represenng himself to be an elector aer another person
hasvotedassuchelector;
[(ee) the manner of giving and recording of votes by means of vong
machinesand the procedureas tovongtobe followedatpolling
staonswheresuchmachinesareused;]
(f) the procedure as to vong to be followed at elecons held in
accordancewiththesystemofproporonalrepresentaonbymeans
ofthesingletransferablevote;
(g) thescrunyandcounngofvotesincludingcasesinwhicharecount
ofthevotesmaybemadebeforethedeclaraonoftheresultofthe
elecon;
12
[(gg) theprocedureastocounngofvotesrecordedbymeansofvong
machines;]
(h) the safe custody of 3[ballot boxes, vong machines], ballot papers
andothereleconpapers,theperiodforwhichsuchpapersshallbe
preservedandtheinspeconandproduconofsuchpapers;
[(hh) thematerialtobesuppliedbytheGovernmenttothecandidatesof
recognisedpolicalparesatanyelecontobeheldforthepurposes
ofconstungtheHouseofthePeopleortheLegislaveAssemblyof
aState;]
(i) anyothermaerrequiredtobeprescribedbythisAct.
[(3) EveryrulemadeunderthisActshallbelaidassoonasmaybeaer
itismadebeforeeachHouseofParliamentwhileitisinsessionfora
totalperiodofthirtydayswhichmaybecomprisedinonesessionor
[intwoormoresuccessivesessions,andif,beforetheexpiryofthe
sessionimmediatelyfollowingthesessionorthesuccessivesessions
aforesaid,bothHousesagreeinmakinganymodicaonintherule
or both Houses agree that the rule should not be made,] the rule
shallthereaerhaveeect onlyinsuchmodiedformorbe ofno
eect,asthecasemaybe;so,however,thatanysuchmodicaon
orannulmentshallbewithoutprejudicetothevalidityofanything
previouslydoneunderthatrule.].
Conduct of Elecons Rules, 1961 (Statutory Rules and Order)with
ConductofElecons(Amendment)Rules,2013
  VongbyElectronicVongMachines&EVMswithVVPATs
 .—
Every electronic vong machine (hereinaer referred to as the vong
machine)shallhaveacontrolunitandaballongunitandshallbeofsuch
designsasmaybeapprovedbytheEleconCommission.
 


.
 .—
13
(1) Theballongunitofthevongmachineshallcontainsuchparcularsandin
suchlanguageorlanguagesastheEleconCommissionmayspecify.
(2) Thenamesofthecandidatesshallbearrangedontheballongunitinthe
sameorderinwhichtheyappearinthelistofthecontesngcandidates.
(3) Iftwoormorecandidatesbearthesamename,theyshallbedisnguished
bytheaddionoftheiroccupaonorresidenceorinsomeothermanner.
(4) Subjecttotheforegoingprovisionsofthisrule,thereturningocershall—
(a) x the label containing the names and symbol of the contesng
candidatesintheballongunitandsecurethatunitwithhissealand
thesealsofsuchofthecontesngcandidatesortheireleconagents
presentasaredesirousofaxingthesame;
(b) setthenumberofcontesngcandidatesandclosethecandidateset
seconinthecontrolunitandsecureitwithhissealandthesealsof
suchofthecontesngcandidatesortheireleconagentspresentas
aredesirousofaxingthesame;
 


i. loading in the printer the serial numbers and names of candidates
andsymbolsalloedtothemasgivenontheballongunitsunder
clause(a);
ii. loadingpaperintheprinter;and
iii. sealingtheprinterinsuchmannerasmaybedirectedbytheElecon
Commission”.
 .—
(1) Outsideeachpollingstaonthereshallbedisplayedprominently—
(a) anocespecifyingthepollingarea,theelectorsofwhichareentled
tovoteatthepolling staonand, when thepolling areahas more
thanone pollingstaon,the parcularsoftheelectorssoentled;
and
(b) acopyofthelistofcontesngcandidates.
(2) Ateachpollingstaonthereshallbesetuponeormorevongcompartments
inwhichtheelectorscanrecordtheirvotesfreefromobservaon.
14
(3) Thereturningocershallprovideateachpollingstaononevongmachine
and copies of relevant part of the electoral roll and such other elecon
materialasmaybenecessaryfortakingthepoll.
(4) Without prejudice to the provisions of sub-rule (3), the returning ocer
may, with thepreviousapprovaloftheElecon Commission, provideone
common vong machine for two or more polling staons located in the
samepremises.
* * * * *
 .—
(1) Thecontrolunitandballongunitofeveryvongmachineusedatpolling
staonshallbearalabelmarked
with—
(a) theserialnumber,ifany,andthenameoftheconstuency;
(b) theserialnumberandnameofthepollingstaonorstaonsasthe
casemaybe;
(c) theserialnumberoftheunit;and
(d) thedateofpoll.
(2) Immediately before the commencement of the poll, the presiding ocer
shalldemonstratetothepollingagentsandotherpersonspresentthatno
votehasbeenalreadyrecordedinthevongmachineanditbearsthelabel
referredtoinsub-rule(1),
.
(3) Apapersealshallbeusedforsecuringthecontrolunitofthevongmachine,
andthepresidingocershallaxhisownsignatureonthepapersealand
obtainthereon the signatureof such ofthe polling agentspresentasthe
desirousofaxingthesame.
(4) Thepresidingocershallthereaerxthepapersealsosignedinthespace
meantthereforeinthecontrolunitofthevongmachineandshallsecure
andsealthesame.
(5) Thesealusedforsecuringthecontrolunitshallbexedinsuchmannerthat
aertheunithasbeensealed,itisnotpossibletopressthe“resultbuon”
withoutbreakingtheseal.
15
(6) Thecontrolunitshallbeclosedandsecuredandplacedinfullviewofthe
presidingocerandthepollingagentsandtheballongunitplacedinthe
vongcompartment.
(7) 


* * * * *
 .—
(1) Beforeperminganelectortovote,thepollingocershall—
(a) record the electoral roll number of the elector as entered in the
markedcopyoftheelectoralrollinaregisterofvotersinForm17A.
(b) obtainthesignatureorthethumbimpressionoftheelectoronthe
saidregisterofvotes;and
(c) markthenameoftheelectorinthemarkedcopyoftheelectoralroll
toindicatethathehasbeenallowedtovote:
(d) givedetailsofthedocumentproducedbytheelectorinproofofhis/
heridencaon.]
  Providedthatnoelectorshallbeallowedtovoteunlesshehashis
signatureorthumbimpressionontheregisterofvoters.
(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-rule (2) of rule 2, it shall be
necessaryforanypresidingocerorpollingoceroranyotherocerto
aestthethumbimpressionoftheelectorontheregisterofvoters.


(1) Everyelectorwhohasbeenpermiedtovoteunderrule49Lshallmaintain
secrecyofvongwithinthepollingstaonandforthatpurposeobservethe
vongprocedurehereinaerlaiddown.
(2) Immediately on being permied to vote the elector shall proceed to the
presiding ocer or the polling ocer in-charge of the control unit of the
vongmachinewhoshall,bypressingtheappropriatebuononthecontrol
unit,acvatetheballongunit;forrecordingofelector'svote.
(3) Theelectorshallthereaerforthwith—
16
(a) proceedtothevongcompartment;
(b) recordhisvotebypressingthebuonontheballongunitagainst
thenameandsymbolofthecandidateforwhomheintendstovote;
and
(c) comeoutofthevongcompartmentandleavethepollingstaon:
  
 

        



(4) Everyelectorshallvotewithoutunduedelay.
(5) Noelectorshallbeallowedtoenterthevongcompartmentwhenanother
electorisinsideit.
(6) If an elector who has been permied to vote under rule 49L or rule 49P
refusesaerwarninggivenbythepresidingocertoobservetheprocedure
laiddowninsub-rule(3)ofthesaidrules,thepresidingocerorapolling
ocerunderthedireconofthepresidingocershallnotallowsuchelector
tovote.
(7) Whereanelectorisnotallowedtovoteundersub-rule(6),aremarktothe
eect that vong procedure has been violated shall be made against the
elector'snameintheregisterofvotersinForm17Abythepresidingocer
underhissignature.

 -
 





 

17




 
          


              


   


(ii) obtainthesignatureorthumbimpressionofthatelectoragainstsuch
remarks;and
(iii) makenecessaryentriesregardingsuchtestvoteinitem5inPartIof
Form17C.
 
(1) Ifthepresidingocerissasedthatowingtoblindnessorotherphysical
inrmiesanelectorisunabletorecognisethesymbolontheballongunit
ofthevongmachineorunabletorecordhisvotebypressingtheappropriate
buon thereon without assistance the presiding ocer shall permit the
elector to take with him a companion of not less than eighteen years of
agetothevongcompartmentforrecordingthevoteonhisbehalfandin
accordancewithhiswishes:Providedthatnopersonshallbepermiedto
act as the companion of more than one elector at any polling staon on
thesameday:Providedfurtherthatbeforeanypersonispermiedtoact
asthecompanionofanelectoronanydayunderthisrulethatpersonshall
berequiredtodeclarethathewillkeepsecretthevoterecordedbyhimon
behalfoftheelectorandthathehasnotalreadyactedasthecompanionof
anyotherelectoratanyotherpollingstaononthatday.
(2) ThepresidingocershallkeeparecordinForm14Aofallcasesunderthis
rule.
18
 .—
(1) Thepresidingocermaywheneverheconsidersitnecessarysotodo,enter
thevongcompartmentduringpollandtakesuchstepsasmaybenecessary
toensurethattheballongunitisnottamperedorinterferedwithinany
way.
(2) Ifthepresidingocerhasreasontosuspectthatanelectorwhohasentered
the vong compartment is tampering or otherwise interfering with the
ballong unit or has remained inside the vong compartment for unduly
longperiod,heshallenterthevongcompartmentandtakesuchstepsas
maybenecessarytoensurethesmoothandorderlyprogressofthepoll.
(3) Wheneverthepresidingocerentersthevongcompartmentunderthis
rule,heshallpermitthepollingagentspresenttoaccompanyhimiftheyso
desire.
 .—
The presiding ocer shall close a polling staon at the hour xed in that
behalfundersecon56andshallnotthereaeradmitanyelectorintothe
pollingstaon:
 Providedthatall electorspresentatthe pollingstaonbeforeit is closed
shallbeallowedtocasttheirvotes.
 Ifanyquesonariseswhetheranelectorwaspresentatthepollingstaon
before it was closed it shall be decided by the presiding ocer and his
decisionshallbenal.
 .—
(1) Thepresidingocershallatthecloseofthepollprepareanaccountofvotes
recorded in Form 17C and enclose it in a separate cover with the words
‘AccountofVotesRecorded’superscribedthereon.
(2) Thepresidingocershallfurnishtoeverypollingagentpresentattheclose
ofthepoll a true copyofthe entriesmadeinForm17Caerobtaininga
receiptfromthesaidpollingagentthereforeandshallaestitasatruecopy.
 .—
(1) Assoonaspraccableaertheclosingofthepoll,thepresidingocershall
closethecontrolunittoensurethatnofurthervotescanberecordedand
shalldetachtheballongunitfromthecontrolunit
19

.
(2) The control unit and the ballong unit       
shall thereaer be sealed, and secured separately in such manner as the
EleconCommissionmaydirectandthesealusedforsecuringthemshallbe
soaxedthatitwillnotbepossibletoopentheunitswithoutbreakingthe
seals.
(3) Thepollingagentspresentatthepollingstaon,whodesiretoaxtheir
seals,shallalsobepermiedtodoso.
 
(1) Thepresidingocershallthenmakeintoseparatepacket,—
(a) themarkedcopyoftheelectoralroll;
(b) theregisterofvotersinForm17A;
(c) thecovercontainingthetenderedballotpapersandthelistinForm
17B;
(d) thelistofchallengedvotes;and
(e) anyotherpapersdirectedbytheEleconCommissiontobekeptina
sealedpacket.
(2) Eachpacketshallbesealedwiththesealofthepresidingocerandwiththe
sealeitherofthecandidateorofhiseleconagentorofhispollingagent
whomaybepresentatthepollingstaonandmaydesiretoaxhisseal
thereon.
 .—
(1) The presiding ocer shall then deliver or cause to be delivered to the
returningoceratsuchplaceasthereturningocermaydirect,—
(a) thevongmachine;
(b) theaccountofvotesrecordedinForm17C;
(c) thesealedpacketsreferredtoinrule49U;and
(d) allotherpapersusedatthepoll.80
(2) The returning ocer shall make adequate arrangements for the safe
transport of the vong machine, packets and other papers for their safe
custodyunlthecommencementofthecounngofvotes.
20
 .—Wherethepresiding
ocerisofopinionthatboothcapturingistakingplaceatapollingstaon
orataplacexedforthepoll,heshallimmediatelyclosethecontrolunitof
thevongmachinetoensurethatnofurthervotescanberecordedandshall
detachtheballongthatfromthecontrolunit.]

(1) Ifthepollatanypollingstaonisadjournedundersub-secon(1)ofsecon
57,theprovisionofrules49Sto49Vshall,asfaraspraccable,applyasif
thepollwasclosedatthehourxedinthatbehalfundersecon56.
(2) Whenanadjournedpollisrecommendedundersub-secon(2)ofsecon
57,theelectorswhohavealreadyvotedatthepollsoadjournedshallnotbe
allowedtovoteagain.
(3) Thereturningocershallprovidethepresidingocerofthepollingstaon
atwhichsuchadjournedpollisheld,withthesealedpacketcontainingthe
markedcopyoftheelectoralroll,registerofvotersinForm17Aandanew
vongmachine.
(4) The presiding ocer shall open the sealed packet in the presence of the
polling agents present and use the marked copy of the electoral roll for
markingthenamesoftheelectorswhoareallowedtovoteattheadjourned
poll.
(5) Theprovisionsofrule28andrules49Ato49Vshallapplyinrelaontothe
conductofanadjournedpollbeforeitwassoadjourned.
 .—
 Inrelaontothecounngofvotesatapollingstaon,wherevongmachine
hasbeenused,—
 theprovisionsofrules50to54andinlieuofrules55,56and57,thefollowing
rulesshallrespecvelyapply,namely:—
‘55C.Scrunyandinspeconofvongmachines.—
(1) Thereturningocermayhavethecontrolunitsofthevongmachinesused
atmorethanone pollingstaontakenupforscrunyandinspeconand
votesrecordedinsuchunitscountedsimultaneously.
(2) Beforethevotesrecordedinanycontrolunitofvongmachinearecounted
undersub-rule(1),thecandidateorhiseleconagentorhiscounngagent
21
presentatthecounngtableshallbeallowedtoinspectthepapersealand
suchothervitalsealsasmighthavebeenaxedontheunitandtosasfy
themselvesthatthesealsareintact.
(3) Thereturningocershallsasfyhimselfthatnoneofthevongmachines
hasinfactbeentamperedwith.
(4) Ifthereturningocerissasedthatanyvongmachinehasinfactbeen
tamperedwith,heshallnotcountthevotesrecordedinthatmachineand
shallfollowtheprocedurelaiddowninsecon58,orsecon58Aorsecon
64A,asmaybeapplicableinrespectofthepollingstaonorstaonswhere
thatmachinewasused.
56C. Counngofvotes.—
(1) Aerthereturningocerissasedthatavongmachinehasinfactnot
beentamperedwith,heshallhavethevotesrecordedthereincountedby
pressing the appropriate buon marked "Result" provided in the control
unitwherebythetotalvotespolledandvotespolledbyeachcandidateshall
bedisplayedinrespectofeachsuchcandidateonthedisplaypanelprovided
forthepurposeintheunit.
(2) Asthevotespolledbyeachcandidatearedisplayedonthecontrolunit,the
returningocershallhave,—
(a) the number of such votes recorded separately in respect of each
candidateinPartIIonForm17C;
  


(b) PartIIofForm17C completedin other respectsandsignedbythe
counng supervisor and also by the candidates or their elecon
agentsortheircounngagentspresent;and
(c) corresponding entries made in a result sheet in Form 20 and the
parcularssoenteredintheresultsheetannounced.

(1) Whereprinterforpaper trailis used, aerthe entriesmade in theresult
sheetareannounced, anycandidate,orinhisabsence,hiseleconagent
oranyofhiscounngagentsmayapplyinwringtothereturningocerto
22
counttheprintedpaperslipsinthedropboxoftheprinterinrespectofany
pollingstaonorpollingstaons.
(2) Onsuchapplicaonbeingmade,thereturningocershall,subjecttosuch
generalorspecialguidelines,asmaybeissuedbytheEleconCommission,
decidethemaerandmayallowtheapplicaoninwholeorinpartormay
rejectinwhole,ifitappearstohimtobefrivolousorunreasonable.
(3) Everydecisionofthereturningocerundersub-rule(2)shallbeinwring
andshallcontainthereasonstherefor.
(4) Ifthereturningocerdecidesundersub-rule(2)toallowcounngofthe
paperslipseitherwhollyorinpartorparts,heshall-
(a) do the counngin themanner as maybe directedbythe Elecon
Commission;
(b) if there is discrepancy between the votes displayed on the control
unitandthecounngofthepaperslips,amendtheresultsheetin
Form20asperthepaperslipscount;
(c) announcetheamendmentssomadebyhim;and
(d) completeandsigntheresultsheet.”
57C. Sealingofvongmachines.—
(1) Aertheresultof vong recordedin acontrolunit has beenascertained
candidate-wiseandenteredinPartIIofForm17CandForm20underrule
56C,thereturningocershallresealtheunitwithhissealandthesealsof
suchofthecandidatesortheireleconagentspresentwhomaydesireto
axthesealsthereonsohoweverthattheresultofvongrecordedinthe
unitisnotobliteratedandtheunitretainsthememoryofsuchresultand
            
.
(2) The control unit and the paper slips so sealed shall be kept in specially
prepared boxes on which the returning ocer shall record the following
parculars,namely:—
(a) thenameoftheconstuency;
(b) theparcularsofpolling staonor staonswherethe controlunit
hasbeenused;
23
(c) serialnumberofthecontrolunit;
(d) dateofpoll;and
(e) dateofcounng.’;
(ii) theprovisionsofrules60to66shall,sofarasmaybe,applyinrelaon
tovongbyvongmachinesandanyreferenceinthoserulesto,—
(a) ballotpapershallbeconstruedasincludingareferencetosuchvong
machine;91
(b) anyruleshallbeconstruedasareferencetothecorrespondingrule
inChapterIIofPartIVor,asthecasemaybe,torule55Cor56Cor
57C].
92. Custodyofballotboxesandpapersrelangtoelecon-
(1A) Allvongmachinesusedataneleconshallbekeptinthecustodyofthe
concerneddistricteleconocer.
(2) Thedistricteleconocershallkeepinsafecustody-
* * * * *
(cc) theprintedpaperslipssealedundertheprovisionsofrule57C.
* * * * *
(dd) ThepacketscontainingregistersofvotersinForm17A
 .—
(1) Whileinthecustodyofthedistricteleconoceror,asthecasemaybe,the
returningocer—
(a) the packets of unused ballot papers with counterfoils aached
thereto;
(b) thepacketsofusedballotpaperswhethervalid,tenderedorrejected;
(c) thepacketsofthecounterfoilsofusedballotpapers;
 
(d) thepacketsofthemarkedcopyoftheelectoralrollor,asthecase
maybe,thelistmaintainedundersub-secon(1)orsub-secon(2)
ofsecon152;and
 [(dd) thepacketscontainingregistersofvotersinform17-A;]
24
(e) the packets of the declaraons by electors and the aestaon of
theirsignatures;shallnotbeopenedandtheircontentsshallnotbe
inspected by, or produced before, any person or authority except
undertheorderofacompetentcourt.
[1A) Thecontrolunitssealed under the provisionsof rule 57C andkeptin the
custodyofthedistricteleconocershallnotbeopenedandshallnotbe
inspectedby,orproducedbefore,anypersonorauthorityexceptunderthe
ordersofacompetentcourt.]
(2) SubjecttosuchcondionsandtothepaymentofsuchfeeastheElecon
Commissionmaydirect,—
(a) all other papers relang to the elecon shall be open to public
inspecon;and
(b) copiesthereofshallonapplicaonbefurnished.
(3) copiesofthereturnsbythereturningocerforwardedunderrule64,oras
thecasemaybe,underclause(b)ofsub-rule(1)ofrule84shallbefurnished
bythereturningocer,districteleconocer,chiefelectoralocerorthe
EleconCommissiononpaymentofafeeoftworupeesforeachcopy.]
 .—
 SubjecttoanydirecontothecontrarygivenbytheEleconCommissionor
byacompetentcourtortribunal—
 [(a) thepacketsofunusedballotpapersshallberetainedforaperiodof
sixmonthsandshallthereaerbedestroyedinsuchmannerasthe
EleconCommissionmaydirect;]
 [(aa) thevongmachineskeptinthecustodyofthedistricteleconocer
undersub-rule(1A)ofrule92shallberetainedintactforsuchperiod
astheEleconCommissionmaydirectandshallnotbeusedatany
subsequent elecon without the previous approval of the Elecon
Commission;]
(b) theotherpacketsreferredtoinsub-rule(1)ofrule93shallberetained
foraperiodofoneyearandshallthereaerbedestroyed:
[Provided that packets containing the counterfoils of used ballot
papers        shall not be destroyed
exceptwiththepreviousapprovaloftheEleconCommission;]
25
(c) allotherpapersrelangtotheeleconshallberetainedforsuchperiodas
theEleconCommissionmaydirect.
 
 Subjecttotheotherprovisionsoftheserules,theEleconCommissionmay
issuesuchdireconsasitmayconsidernecessarytofacilitatetheproperuse
andoperaonofthevongmachines.
 

26



 
 Non-eleconperiod means, aerEPperiod(i.e.45-daysfromthe dateof
declaraon of the result of the last elecon) and upto announcement of next
eleconintheconstuency.
4.1.1PhysicalVericaonofEVMs
During non-elecon period, 100% physical vericaon of EVMs shall be
carriedoutbytheDistrictEleconOcers(DEOs)inthemonthofAprilevery
yearso thatthereportofthe same ismade availableto the Commission
through the Chief Electoral Ocer of the concerned States/UTs by 15th
Mayeveryyear.Forthispurpose,theCommissionwillissueadireconfor
openingofEVM-warehouses.OnreceivingdireconfromtheCommission,
theDEOsshalltakethefollowingcourseofacon:-
a) CEO/DEO shall ensure that EVM-warehouses, in which EVMs
pertainingtoanyeleconpeonorcourtcasesarestored,shallnot
beopenedforthepurposeofphysicalvericaonofEVMs.
b) DEO shall nominate an Ocer not below the rank of Tehsildar for
thepurposeofopeningofEVM-warehouse[exceptEVM-warehouse
menonedat(a)above]andforconducngphysicalvericaonof
EVMs.
c) Naonal and State recognized polical pares shall be informed
in wring, at least 24 hours in advance, about the date and me
of opening and closure of EVM warehouse.  Their authorized
representaves shall be allowed to remain present at the me of
openingandclosureofthewarehouse.Areportshallbepreparedin
thisregardandsignatureoftheauthorizedrepresentavesofpolical
paresshallalsobetakenonthereport.
d) TheauthorisedrepresentavesofPolicalParesshallbeallowedto
witnesstheAnnualPhysicalVericaonofEVMs&VVPATs.
e) Duty Register of persons engaged in physical vericaon to be
maintained.Thisregistershallbepreservedfor5years.
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f) DetailsofEVMsshallbemaintainedinaMasterStockRegister(MSR).
MSR shall be maintained warehouse-wise for every district in the
formatgivenin.
g) BasedonthisMSR,theDEOshallsendaphysicalvericaonreportin
theformatgivenintotheCommissionthroughtheCEO
oftheconcernedStates/UTs.
4.1.2StorageofEVMs
 i. EVMshouldbestoredinTreasury,whereverpossible.
ii. WherenotstoredintheTreasury,EVMsmustbestoredinaseparate
warehousewherenothingotherthanEVMiskept.
iii. NormallytheEVMsshouldbestoredatDistrictHeadQuarters.
iv. However, if it is not possible to store the EVMs at District HQs,
thenEVMstoragewarehouseshouldnotbeataplacebelowTehsil
headquarters.
v. NoEVMshallbekeptoutsidetheEVMwarehouse(i.e.alltheEVMs
shouldbekeptinEVMwarehouseandnotatanyotherplace)forany
purposewithoutspecicapprovaloftheCommission.
vi. Acontobetakenincaseoftracedorrecoveredlost/stolenEVMs
a. FurnishthedetailedreporttotheCommission.
b. Recovered/traced units shall not be stored/kept in the warehouse
havingEVMs/VVPATsandmustbestored/keptinaseparatestore.
c. Stock-takingofsuchrecovered/tracedunitsofEVMshallnotbedone,
ifalreadydoesnotexistinstockinventory;and
d. Recovered/traced units of EVM should be sent to the factory for
destrucon.
vii. EVM storage warehouse must not have more than one (1) entry
point.  If there are any other doors or windows in the warehouse,
theyshouldbesealedusingbrick-masonryorconcrete.
viii. EntryofEVMstoragewarehousemustbesecuredbyadoublelock
system,whichshouldbeheldjointlybytwoseparateocers,tobe
nominatedbytheDEO.Oneofwhomshallnotbebelowtherankof
Tehsildar.Forwarehousesatdistrictheadquarters,thereshall be a
double-locksystem.TheKeysshallbeincustodyofDEO&Dy.DEO,
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eachhavingonekey.
part of CTC.
ix.         
       
        


x. Warehousemustbefreefromdampness,pests,rodentsetc.Proper
re-ghngarrangementmustbemadeavailable.Warehouseshould
befreefromood/waterloggingrisk/cracks/leakage/brokenwindow
etc.Toprovideaninlet/outletforair-circulaontoavoidfoulsmellin
strongrooms,exhaustfanmaybeinstalled,subjecttothefollowing
condions:-
a. Exhaustfanshallbeinstalledonthefrontsideofthestrongroom,
wheresecurityguardsarepostedandnotontherearside;
b. Exhaustfanshallbeinstalledatthehighestpointfeasible,belowthe
roof;
c. Astrongirongrillshallbeinstalledatthevent/passagewhereexhaust
fanwillbeinstalled.
d. EVMsmustbekeptinasafemanner.
xi. Adequate security arrangement must be made at warehouse by
depungpolice/securityguardroundtheclock.
4.1.3MovementofEVMs
During non-elecon period, EVMs shall not be moved in or out of the EVM
warehousewithoutspecicapprovaloftheCommission.
IncaseofintraorinterStateshiingofEVMs,onthedireconoftheCommission,
thefollowingshallbestrictlyfollowed:-
 i. TheCEOwillcommunicatethedireconoftheCommissiononshiing
ofEVMstotheDEOconcerned.
ii. DEO(s)willissuewrienordertotheocerreferredinpara4.1.1(b)
above for opening of EVM-warehouse [except EVM-warehouse
menonedat[4.1.1(a)]toshitherequirednumberofEVMs.
iii. OnreceivingthewrienorderoftheDEO,thenominatedOcershall
idenfytheEVMstobemovedoutandmakeanentryofthedetailsof
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suchEVMsintheMasterStockRegister/MovementRegisterandshall
take a wrien acknowledgement from the ocer, who is receiving
theEVM,asproofofhavingreceivedtheEVMs.
 
4.2.1PhysicalVericaonofEVMs
 Ifthereisageneraleleconduringtheyear,theDEOshallcarryout100%
physical vericaon of EVMs during the First Level Checking of the EVMs
andsendthereporttotheCommissionthroughChiefElectoralOcerinthe
formatin.
4.2.2StorageofEVMs 
4.2.2.1
Pre-PollStorage:
 AerFLCandrstrandomizaonofEVMs,EVMs shall be handed overto
theReturningOcer/AssistantReturningOcerconcerned.TheReturning
Ocersshallfollowthefollowingguidelines:-
i) RO/ARO shall store the EVMs, allocated for his constuency, in a
strong room in the presence of representaves of Naonal/State
Level Polical Pares, under videography. EVMs meant for training
andawarenessofvotersshallbekeptinaseparatestrongroomso
that strong room having EVMs (including reserve EVMs) meant for
pollneednotbeopenedbeforepreparaonofEVMs.
ii) Thereaer, RO shall open the strong room having EVMs (including
reserve EVMs) meant for poll at the me of preparaon of EVMs
(candidateseng)inthepresenceofcandidates/theirrepresentaves,
undervideography.
iii) AerpreparaonofEVMsatROlevel,EVMsincludingreserveEVMs
shallagainbekeptinstrongroominthepresenceofcandidates/their
representaves,undervideography.
iv) Thereaer, RO shall open the strong room having EVMs (including
reserveEVMs)onthedayofdispersalofpollingparesinthepresence
ofcandidates/theirrepresentaves,undervideography.
v. Aer compleon of poll, polled EVMs shall be escorted back to
the strong room for storing in double lock system in the presence
of candidates/their representaves, under videography.It shall be
ensuredthatcompleteset(BU,CU&VVPAT)ofaparcularpolling
staonshallbekeptinthesamestrong-room.
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vi. UnusedEVMsandunusedVVPATsshallbestoredinseparatestrong
room.
4.2.2.2
Post-PollStorage:
Thefollowinginstruconsshallbestrictlyfollowedforthesecurityandsafetyof
strongroomswherethepolledEVMsandVVPATsarekeptforcounngofvotes–
 i. Thestrongroomsshouldhavedoublelocksystem.Onekeyshould
be kept with District Elecon Ocer and the other with Returning
Ocerofconcernedassemblyconstuency.
ii. Twocordonedsecurityarrangementsshouldbemaderoundtheclock
forthestrongroomshavingpolledEVMskeptforcounngofvotes.
TheCPFshouldmantheinnermostperimetersecurityimmediately
outsidethestrongroomandtheStateArmedPoliceshouldmanthe
outermostperimetersecurity.
iii. TheminimumsecurityrequirementforstrongroomofpolledEVMs
and VVPATs must be One Platoon. A logbook shall be maintained
duringthesaidperiod.
iv. All contesng candidates should be inmated in wring to depute
theirrepresentavestokeepaclosewatchonsecurityarrangement
of strong room. They should be allowed to stay outside the inner
perimeteratalocaon,whichenablesthemtoviewtheentrypoints
ofthestrongroom.Asfaraspossible,faciliessuchaspropershade,
drinkingwater,etc.shallbeprovidedtothem.Ifthereisnodirect
viewtotheentrypointofthestrongroom,CCTVmaybearranged
atsuchlocaon,fromwheretheycanseethestrongroomdooron
CCTV.  In such a case, they maybe taken periodically to the inner
perimeterinbatches,tosee,verifyandsasfythemselvesregarding
thesecurityofstrongroom.TheCCTVdisplayofStrongRoomshall
be arranged on a large TV screen at the place earmarked for the
representavesofPolicalParesandagentsofthecandidates,so
thattheycanconnuouslymonitortheStrongRoom.
v. A control room adjacent to the strong room SHOULD BE operave
roundtheclock.
vi. A Gazeed ocer along with a senior police ocer should be put
ondutyroundtheclockformonitoringthesecurityarrangementsof
strongroom.
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vii. Thereshouldbesucientarrangementofreexnguishersnearand
insidethestrongroom.
viii. Thereshouldbeanarrangementroundtheclockforthesecurityof
unusedEVMsalso.
ix. No one should be allowed to enter the inner perimeter without
adheringthefollowingprotocols:-
a. ThelogbookshallbemaintainedbytheCPFinwhichentryshouldbe
madeaboutdate,me,duraonandname(s)ofperson(s)crossing
thesecondsecurityringi.e.themiddleperimeter.Thisincludesvisits
bytheObserversorDEOsorSPsorcandidatesortheiragentsorany
otherperson.
b. VideocamerasshouldbeprovidedtotheCPFconngenttorecordall
visitsmadebysuchvisitors.
x. Itshouldbeensuredthatthereisuninterruptedpowersupplyatthe
strong room locaons during the enre period wherein EVMs are
stored.CEOmayaddresstheChairmanofElectricityBoardconcerned
separatelyregardingthis.LocalElectricityBoardocialsshouldbe
asked to ensure the same.  Conngency arrangement of stand-by
generatorsshouldbemadetoensureuninterruptedpowersupply.
xi. The phone nos. of CEO, Addl. CEOs, DEC in-charge in the ECI and
theDEO/SP/COP/ROsconcernedshouldbegiventothecandidates,
who may provide the same to their representaves, keeping vigil
at the strong room locaon(s).  The candidates may advise their
representavestocontacttheocials,incaseofanyemergency.
xii. All the entry points (doors etc.) of strong rooms should be under
constantvideographyusingtheweb-camsandlaptopsavailable.If
thereareotherdoorsofthestrongroom,theyshouldalsobecovered
bytheweb-cams/videography.Personscomingtotakeback-upfrom
thelaptopsshouldhaveidentycardsgiventothemandtheirnames
should be recorded in advance with the CPF conngent staoned
there.  Their visits should be videographed by the CPF conngent
withthevideocameraprovidedfortheenreduraon.
xiii Returning Ocers should visit the storage campus (upto the inner
perimeter only) every day in the morning and evening and check
thelogbookandvideographyandsendareporttotheDEOonthe
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status every day.  In case of strong rooms located in the district
headquarters,theDEOshoulddothesame.Wherethestrongrooms
aresituatedoutsidetheDistrictHeadquarters,DEOshouldvisitthe
sameasfrequentlyaspossibleandatleastoncein3to4days.
xiv No vehicle, including that of any ocial or ministers or any other
polical funconary, should be allowed inside the secured campus
wheretheEVMsarestored.Alighngpointforthevehiclesshouldbe
markedclearlyaheadoftheoutersecurityperimeteritselfbeyondit,
itshouldbeapedestrianzoneonly.
xv. DCsandSPsshallbepersonallyresponsibleforsecurityofstrongroom
within the district and meculous implementaon of the protocol.
ThecopyofthisManualshouldbemadeavailabletoallcandidates,
DEOs,ROsandCPFcommandant.
xvi. On the day of counng of votes, the strong room shall be opened
inthepresenceofcandidates/theirrepresentave,ROandObserver
undervideography.
xvii. Aer opening the strong room for counng of votes, complete
videography of taking out/bringing back of Control Units shall be
done.Agentsofcandidatesshouldalsobeallowedtowatchstrong
roomthroughCCTVcoverage.
xviii. A log book must be maintained for the persons who have been
allowed/deputedtoviewtheCCTV.
xix. Aercompleonofcounngofvotes,ControlUnitsshallbesealed
as per exisng instrucon of the Commission. Thereaer, EVMs
(BallongUnitsandControlUnits)andVVPATsshallbeshiedback
toStrongRoomforsafestorage.
Note:
 
i) All Presiding Ocers or the Collecng Pares should deposit the
vong machines and elecon papers and materials at the storage
centreswithoutanyavoidabledelay.Anyocerwhodefaultsinthis
respectwillmakehimselfliabletodisciplinaryacon.
ii) ReturningOcermayearmarkinsidethestorageroomorbuilding,
speciedpartsoftheoorspaceintheformofsquaresinadvance
33
for stacking the vong machines received from parcular polling
staons.Thearrangementforthisshouldfollowtheserialnumberof
pollingstaons.
iii) All Ballong unit(s) and control unit and VVPAT(s) received from
one polling staon must invariably be kept together at one place
onthesamesquare.Thecontrolunitshouldbekeptontopofthe
Ballongunit(s).OnecopyofthePartIofForm-17C,aslledbythe
concernedPresidingOcer ofeach polling staon,shouldbe kept
on top of the control unit pertaining to the polling staon. Sealed
envelopecontainingthedeclaraonsmadebythePresidingOcers
beforethe start of the poll and at the end of the poll should also
bekeptinthestrongroomwithpolledEVMs.Theduplicatecopyof
theaccountofvotesrecordedandthepapersealaccountshouldbe
keptunderyoursafecustodyalongwiththePresidingOcersDiary
and other records like Register of Voters(17A), reports of Sector/
Zonalmagistrates,AddionalinputsprovidedbythePresidingOcer
(referECIinstruconinthisregard)etc.Undernocircumstance,these
papers/recordsshouldbeputinstrongroomwherepolledEVMsare
kept.
iv) Sucientspaceshouldbelebetweenrowsofvongmachinesas
theyarebeingstackedsothatothermachinesreceivedsubsequently
outofturn(fromthepointofviewofserialnumbersofthepolling
staons)maybekeptattheirappropriatealloedspacewithoutthe
necessityofhavingtoshianyofthevongmachinesreceivedand
stackedinearlierpointofme.
v) Ifanyofthecontesngcandidatessodesires,hemaybepermiedto
postanagenttokeepwatchattheplacewherethevongmachines
arestoredpendingthecounngandallowhimtoaxhisownseals
tothedoorsandwindowsofthebuildinginwhichvongmachines
havebeenstoredinaddiontothesealsthatmaybeaxedbyyou.It
shouldalsobeensuredthatimmediatelyaerallthevongmachines
have been received and stored, the room is locked forthwith.
Thereaer,nooneisallowedtogoinunlthemorningofthedayxed
forcounng.Ifduringthisinterval,forsomeunavoidablereason,the
roomhastobeopenedyoushouldsendforthecandidatesortheir
authorizedrepresentavesbygivingtheminmaoninwringand
opentheroomintheirpresenceandimmediatelyaerthepurpose
34
forwhichtheroomisopenedisover,thisroomshouldbeclosedand
sealedand the candidatesortheirrepresentavesshould againbe
allowedtoputtheirsealonthedoorlockandwindows.
vi) Whenever it is necessary to open the room in which the vong
machinesarestored,properentriesshouldbemadeinthelogbook
givingdetailsofthepersonsenteringtheroom,thepurposeofsuch
entry,meofentry,meofexit,signatureoftheguards,etc.
vii) Theseinstruconswillalsoapplymutasmutandistothestorageof
thevongmachinesduringtheintervalbetweentheoriginalcount
andtherecount,ifany
2. 


A. EveryVongMachine(EVM)andVVPATsusedinaneleconandkept
inthecustodyoftheDistrictEleconOcershallbekeptuntouched,
underthestandardprotocolofsecurity,llconrmaonofElecon
peonposionfromtheHighCourtconcernedaerthecompleon
oftheperiodforlingEleconPeoni.e.45daysfromthedateof
declaraonoftheresult.
B. Inthecaseofelecons,wherenoeleconpeonhasbeenledor
noothercourtcasesarepending,aertheaforesaidperiod,theEVMs
maybeallowedtobeusedbytheEleconCommissionforanyfuture
eleconoranyotherpurposelikemovement,physicalvericaonof
EVMsandVVPATs,etc.
C. In case of any elecon where elecon peon has been led, the
followingaconshallbetaken:-
i) IftheEVMsarethesubjectoftheeleconpeon,theEVMsusedat
allPollingStaonsintheconstuencyconcernedshallconnuetobe
keptinthesafecustodyoftheDistrictEleconOcer,llsuchme
theEleconPeonisnallydisposedofbytheCourts.
ii) IftheEVMsarenotthesubjectoftheeleconpeon,anapplicaon
may be moved to the concerned Court for allowing the EVMs
concernedtobetakenoutofthestrongroomforanyfutureelecon
oranyother purpose like movement,physicalvericaonof EVMs
etc.
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iii) In case EVMs not involved in any Elecon Peon/Court Case are
storedwith the EVMs involvedinElecon Peon/CourtCase,the
followingprocedureshallbefollowedforsegregangtheEVMsnot
involvedinanyeleconpeon/courtcaseformtheEVMsinvolved
inEP/Courtcase:-
a) ANoceinformingtheopeningofStrongRoomhavingEVMsinvolved
inEP/CourtCaseshallbegiventothepeoners/respondentsofthe
EP/CourtCaseandtherepresentavesofallpolicalparesinwring
atleast72hoursinadvance,requesngthemtoremainpresentat
themeofopeningofstrongroom.
b) The strong room shall be opened in the presence of the District
Elecon Ocer, Peoners/respondents of the EP/Court case and
representavesofPolicalPares.
c) The EVMs not involved in any EP/Court Case shall be segregated
fromtheEVMsinvolvedinEP/CourtCasefortakingoutofthestrong
room.AlistofEVMsbeingsotakenoutfromthestrongroomshall
beprepared.
d) TheEVMs,whicharenotinvolvedinanyEP/CourtCase,shouldalone
betakenoutoftheStrongroom.
e) Theenreprocessshallbevideographed.
f) AcopyofthelistofEVMsbeingtakenoutfromthestrongroomand
copyofvideographyshallbegiventothepeoner/respondentof
theEP/courtcaseandacknowledgementtaken.
D. IfanyotherCourtCaseispending,like,boothcapturing,etc.,inwhich
anyEVMisinvolved,theEVMconcernedortheEVM(s)usedatsuch
PollingStaon(s)concernedmayalsobekeptllthenaldisposalof
thesaidcase.
  Aerthenaldisposaloftheeleconpeonsorothercourtcases,
as the case may be, referred to above, the EVMs can be used for
subsequentelecons.
 
a) EVMsandVVPATsofECIbemandatorilykeptinseparateandsecure
warehouseatalldistrictheadquarters,underthecustodyofDistrict
EleconOcerconcerned.
36
b) 24X7armedpolicesecurityshallbeprovidedatallsuchEVM/VVPAT
warehouseineachdistrict,throughouttheelecon,aswellas,non-
eleconperiod.
c) TheminimumsecurityrequirementforstrongroomofpolledEVMs
mustbeOnePlatoon.Alogbookshallbemaintainedduringthesaid
period.
d) 24x365PoliceSecurityofEVM/VVPATwarehouses.Inaddion,CCTV
fromstartofFLCllEPcompleonperiod.
e) Security:NonPoll(PostEPtoFLC)–Minimum1/2Secon
  FLCtoPolling–Minimum1Secon
  PolltoEP-Minimum1Platoon
 ForanytransportaonofEVMs/VVPATs
fromoneplacetoanother(i.e.fromfactorytoStates,Inter-State,Intra-State
etc.),followingprotocolsshallbestrictlyfollowed:
a) MovementofEVMs&VVPATsshouldmandatorilybedonethrough
EVMTrackingSoware(ETS).
b) Containerized trucks or sealed trucks on which proper locking
arrangementscanbemadeshallonlybeusedfortransporngEVMs
and VVPATs, so that these could be locked and sealed with paper
seals.
c) All trucks transporng EVMs/VVPATs shall be sealed with lock and
paperseals.
d) Vehicles with GPS tracking only should be used for movement of
EVM/VVPAT.
e) PolicalParesshallbeinformedinadvancedaboutopening,stocking
&sealingofwarehouseswhileshiingEVMsandVVPATs.However,if
norepresentaveaends,theworkshouldnotstop.
f) DEOtovideo-graphthewholeprocessoftransfer/receiptofEVM.
i) TransportaonfromFactorytoState
a) GPS tracking of vehicles shall be monitored on daily basis by the
District Elecon Ocers and randomly monitored by the Chief
ElectoralOcers.AdailymonitoringreportshallbesentbytheChief
ElectoralOcertotheCommission.
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b) FortransportaonofEVMs/VVPATs(newlymanufactureorrepaired)
fromfactorytoState,transportaonarrangementsshallbedoneby
themanufacturers.Thetransportaonchargesforshiingofrepaired
EVMs/VVPATsfromfactorytoState/UTallocatedbytheCommission
shallbebornebytheState/UTconcerned.
c) Manufacturers shall undertake Due Diligence for empanelling/
engagingtransportcompaniesfortransportaonofEVMs/VVPATs.
d) ConsigneeState/UTshall deputeits ocial atfactorywith security
personnelfromtheirStateandfollowthesecurityprotocolforInter
Statetransfers.
ii) InterStateTransportaon
a) AnodaloceratStateaswellasDistrictlevelshallbeappointedfor
constantcoordinaonforsmoothtransportaonof EVMsin donor
andborrowerStates.
b) Asfaraspossible,theCEOsshallensurethelocaonofdistrictsfor
colleconofEVMs/VVPATsbyborrowingStateareinaclusteroron
thesameroute.
c) DEOs shall ensure that neither defecve nor ‘EVMs/VVPATs under
conictinETS’aretransferredtotheborrowingState.
iii) IntraStateTransportaon
a) Intra-districtallocaonaswellasinter-districtallocaonstobedone
asperexisnginstruconsonly.
b) AllmovementsofEVMs/VVPATsshallbedonethroughETSandwith
priorpermissionoftheCommission.
c) In case of exigencies like ood or re the CEO/DEO may shi the
EVMs/VVPATsunderinmaontotheCommissionandalsotakepost
factoapproval.
d) DEOs will ensure appointment of team to accompany the truck
for transporng EVMs/VVPATs, arrangement of district transport,
arrangementforproperhandingoverandreceiptofEVMs/VVPATs.
********
38


 DistrictEleconOcershallberesponsible
foroverall FLCprocessand shall ensurestrictadherence& complianceof
FLCinstrucons.DistrictEleconOcershallappointanAddl./Dy.DEOfully
trainedwithFLCprocessasFLCsupervisor.
 
 5.2.1.
FLC of EVMs and VVPATs shall be done before every bye-elecon
andgeneralelecontoStateLegislaveAssemblyandHouseofthe
People(LokSabha)orinanyeleconswhereEVMsareusedinfuture.
 5.2.2.
FLC of EVMs (Control Units and Ballong Units) and VVPATs shall
commence
a) withinonemonthofoccurrenceofvacancyincaseofbye-elecon.
b) at least P-120 days in case of General Elecon to State Legislave
Assembly.
c) atleastP-180daysincaseofGeneralElecontoLokSabha.
 5.2.3.
 FLCistobedonesucientlyinadvancesothatallchecksarecarried
outwithout anyundue hasteinthepresenceofrepresentavesof
policalpares.
5.2.4. FLCofEVMsandVVPATsshallbecompleted,asfaraspossible,well
beforetheissueofnocaoncallingtheelecon.
 
5.3.1. DependingonthenumberofEVMsandVVPATstobecheckedinFLC,
theCEOshallprepareaschedulefortheFLCofEVMsinconsultaon
withEVMmanufacturers(ECIL&BEL).
5.3.2. TheabovescheduleshallbemadeavailabletotheCommissionfor
approvalbyP-130daysincaseofGeneralElecontoStateLegislave
AssemblyandP-190daysincaseofGeneralElecontoLokSabha.
 
5.4.1. ThescheduleforFLCshall be communicatedtoeverynaonaland
state level recognized polical party at the district headquarters
39
underinmaontotheparesatStateheadquarters,inwringby
the DEO at least one weekbefore the beginning of the FLC in the
district.
5.4.2. OnthedayoftheFLC,representavesofallnaonalandstatelevel
recognizedpolicalparesauthorizedbytheDistrictPresidentofthe
partyshallbeencouragedtobepresent.
5.4.3. AregistershallbekeptatFLChallbytheDEOininwhich
signaturesofallpolicalparesshallbetakeneverydayastokenof
theirpresence.
 
5.5.1. FLCshallbecarriedoutinalarge,well-lit,wellvenlatedanddust
freehall.Non-heanghighilluminaonLEDlightsmaybeinstalled
sothateachtableisbrightlylit.
5.5.2. The hall must be spacious to accommodate the EVMs and VVPATs
tobechecked,ocialsnominatedbytheDEO,engineersofBELand
ECILandalsorepresentavesofpolicalpares.Therequirementof
tables,chairsandlaboursshallbeassessedinconsultaonwithBEL
andECIL.
5.5.3. FLCareashallbebarricadedandsanizedbypolicebeforethehall
is used for FLC.  It shall be ensured that the hall is free from any
otherelectronicdeviceorcomponentsofelectronicdevices,except
thosepermiedbytheCommissionforthepurposeofrecordingFLC
processetc.
5.5.4. Thereshouldbeadequatearrangementofreexnguishersandre
alarminsideandoutsidethehallasFLCteamsusehighlyinammable
thinnerstocleantheEVMs.
5.5.5. FLCareashallhavethefaciliesofdrinkingwater,toilet,rstaidetc.,
includingtoiletsforwomen.
5.5.6. Thereshallbeonlyoneentryandexitpointtothehall,whichshallbe
guardedbyarmedpoliceforceroundtheclock.
5.5.7. Every hall shall have a door frame metal detector (DFMD) & entry
shallbepermiedonlythroughDFMD.Everypersonwhoentersthe
hallshallbefriskedateveryentry.Ifapersonmakesmulpleentries
inthehall,he/sheshallbefriskedeachmetheentryismade.
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5.5.8. EntrytothishallshallbeonlyonproduconofIdentyCardofthe
authorizedocials/passesissuedbytheDistrictEleconOcer.
5.5.9. Nobodywillbeallowedtocarryanyelectronicdeviceinsidethehall
includingcellphones,cameraandspypensetc.Similarly,nobodywill
beallowedtocarryanythingoutoftheFLChall.Acolleconcenterfor
electronicsitemslikecellphones,cameraetc.shallbemadeoutside
the hall.          


purpose.Securitypersonnelwillnotallowanyotherequipmenttobe
carriedintotheFLChallbytheengineersexceptthosemenonedin
FLCStandardOperangProcedure(SoP).
 5.5.10.ArrangementofWeb-casng/CCTVs/videography:
  Web-casngmustbedoneoftheenreFLCprocessformonitoring
byDEO/CEO/Commissiononly.Thelinefeedofwebcasngmustbe
closely monitored at the Control Room at DEO and CEO level and
reportsubmiedtoECI.
5.5.11. 
A log book shall be maintained forentry and exit of every person
includingtheocers,representavesofpolicalparesetc.
5.5.12. 
Aseparatelogbook(i.e. duty roaster)shallalsobemaintainedfor
armed police force deployed for FLC hall for recording the names,
designaon,shidues,takeoverandhandoverchargesetc.
5.5.13. 
TheCommissionwillsendaninspeconteamcomprisingofocers
ofECI/CEO,alongwithengineersofthemanufacturerstoinspectthe
FLChallandpreparednessofFLC3-5daysbeforestartofFLC.DEO
shallaccompanythisteamtoassesspreparednessrsthand.
 
5.6.1. FLCshallbecarriedoutonlybyauthorizedengineersofBELandECIL.
BELandECILshallbefullyresponsiblefortheintegrity,eciencyand
competenceoftheirengineers.
5.6.2. ListofengineersdeputedbyBELandECILforcarryingoutFLCwillbe
randomizedbytheCommissionforallotmentoftheState.District-
wiseallocaonshallbedonebyCEOandthislistalongwithengineers
cellnumbersshallbeinmatedtoDEO.
41
5.6.3. ManufacturersshalldeputeSr.levelengineersatStateheadquarters
aswellaseachdistrictheadquarterstosuperviseFLC.
5.6.4. OnemanagershallbeappointedbyBEL/ECILfor4-5districts&this
managershallremainintheeldfordailysupervision&coordinaon.
5.6.5. Noengineers,techniciansorothertechnicalstaexceptauthorized
engineers/technicalstaofBELandECILshallbeallowedtoenterthe
FLChall.
5.6.6. Sucientunskilledlabourshallbedeployedforcleaning,unpacking
andpacking EVMs andVVPATs. The requirementof labour canbe
assessedinconsultaonwiththemanufacturers.
 
 AtthemeofFLC,thefollowingacviesmustbeundertaken:
Cleaning of machines: Removal of address tags, Ballot Papers, cleaning
ofsuperscriponsonCU&BU,clearingofearlierpolldata,dusngofCU
&BUetc.Theseacviesarecarried-outinthesecuredplaceattheFLC
venueunderclosesupervisionofFLCin-chargeandEngineersdeputedby
manufacturers.
 VisualInspeconofEVM&VVPAT: Physicalinspecon ofCarrying Cases,
EVM, VVPAT, Connecng Cable, Connector, Latches etc. to ensure no
structuraldamageorbreakageofplascparts,latches,switchesetc.
 Fullfunconalitychecks:
 CheckingofallswitchesinControlUnit,BallongUnit,doors(aps),
sealingprovisions,scratchesonacrylicscreenetc.
Response of all switches, conrmaon tests for ecacy of Control
Unit,BallongUnitetc.–BELandECILengineersshallcarryouttest
prescribedbythe manufacturers aspertheSoP toconrmthatall
componentsoftheEVMareoriginal.
The plasc cabinets of both Control Unit and Ballong Unit of the
EVMsshallbeopenedbytheBEL/ECILengineersinthepresenceof
polical party representaves at the me of FLC and the PCB and
other components of EVMs will be shown to them. BEL and ECIL
engineerswillcerfyinthatallthecomponentsofthe
EVMsareoriginal.
42
 IfanyEVMisfoundtobedefecve,itwillbekeptasideandsentto
thefactoryofBELandECILforrepairsofcompleon
ofFLCinthedistrict.CEOshallclubdespatchesfrommorethan1
districttoeconomisetransport.
 Noelectronicrepairofthemachineshallbecarriedoutintheeld.
Changing of electronic components of the machines in the eld is
strictlyprohibited.
Detailed Standard Operang Procedure (SoP) menoning the step-
by-step instrucons of checking of the machine is aached at
-6.CopyofthisSoPshallbepastedprominentlyatFLCHall.
Theseinstruconsincludealistofequipmentandspares,whichthe
engineersshallbeallowedtocarrywiththeminFLChall.
ConductofMockPoll:
Casng of          ,
observaonofresultandclearingofmockpolldatawillbedonefor
eachEVM(BU+CU).
 Addionally,mock-pollin
shallbedoneanda
printoutoftheresults,aswellassequenalprint-outofeveryvote
polled,shallbetakenoutandshowntotherepresentavesofpolical
pares.
 Representavesofpolicalparesshallbeallowedtopickmachines
randomlyforthepurposeofmock-poll.Signaturesofrepresentaves
of polical pares shall be taken in a register in  as a
token of having seen the print out and conrmaon that there is
nodiscrepancybetweenthevotespolledduringthemockpolland
resultsinthesequenalprintout.
 Inrestofthemachines,numberofvotespolledduringthemockpoll
shouldbetothesasfaconoftherepresentavesofpolicalpares.
 Representavesofpolicalparesshallbeallowedtodothemock
pollthemselves,iftheysodesire.
Signatures of representaves of polical pares shall be taken
in a register in   as a token of having done mock poll
themselves.
43
In case of VVPATs, mock-poll with       
shallbedone, followedbyobservaonofresult
and tally of electronic count and printedpaper slips of VVPATs for
eachVVPAT.
 Signaturesofrepresentavesofpolicalparesshallbetaken in a
registerinasatokenofhavingseentheprintoutsand
conrmaon that there are no discrepancies between the VVPAT
paperslipscountandelectroniccount/printoutsofEVM.
 
5.8.1 In order to ensure that the Control Unit of the EVM cannot be
openedaerFirstLevelCheckingoftheEVMs,theControlUnitshall
besealedwiththe‘PinkPaperSeal’suppliedbythe NasikSecurity
Press,inthepresenceoftherepresentavesofthePolicalPares
presentatthemeofFLC.ThePinkPaperSealshallbeaxedonthe
poronbetweentheCandidateSetSeconandtheResultSeconof
theControlUnit.
5.8.2. FLC Supervisor shall ascertain that the EVM (BU & CU) and VVPAT
arecheckedproperlyandareFLC-OKinallrespectbeforeaxinghis
signatureontheGreenFLC-OKsckerstobepastedonthemachines.
Further,hemustbefullysasedwiththeFLCprocessbeforeusing
PinkPaperSealforsealingtheFLC-OKCU.
5.8.3. Aer xing the Pink Paper Seal, the Engineer of the Manufacturer
shallputhissignatureonthePinkPaperSeal;therepresentavesof
thePolicalParesshallalsobeallowedtoputtheirsignatureonthe
saidsealwithpartynameinabbreviaonbelowthesignature.
5.8.4. TherepresentavesofthePolicalParespresentshouldbeallowed
tonotedowntheserialnumberofthepinkpapersealaxedonthe
ControlUnit.
5.8.5. Aregisterinshallbemaintainedtonotedowntheserial
numberofthe pink paper sealusedonthe ControlUnit byclearly
menoningtheuniqueIDnumberofControlUnitandthePinkPaper
Seal number. Signatures of representaves of polical pares will
alsobeobtainedonthisregister.
5.8.6. PhotocopyofthisregistershallbegivenfreeofcosttoallNaonal
andStatelevelrecognizedpolicalparesassoonasFLCisover.
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5.8.7. Photocopy of this register shall also be given to all contesng
candidatesassoonaslastdateofwithdrawalofcandidatureisover.
5.8.8. Photocopy of this register should also be available at the me of
candidatesengandatthemeofcounng,andshouldbeshown
tocandidatesandtheirrepresentaveandacknowledgementtaken
ontheregister.
 :
5.9.1. FLC shall be carried out under the direct and close supervision of
DistrictEleconOcer.
5.9.2. TheDEOshallnominateoneocernotbelowtherankofAddional/
DeputyDEOasFLC-SupervisortosupervisetheenreprocessofFLC.
ThisocershallbepresentintheFLChallfortheenreduraonof
FLC.FLCSupervisorshallsubmitacercateinAnnexure-11tothe
CEOconcernedthroughDEObeforestarngofFLCtotheeectthat
allarrangementsforFLChavebeendoneasperECIinstrucons.
5.9.3. DistrictEleconOcershallinvariablyconductadailyinspeconof
theFLCvenue&FLCprocesstoensurethattheFLCisbeingcarried
outaspertheinstruconoftheCommission.TheprocessofFLCshall
bewebcast&connuouslyrecorded.VideoCDwillbekeptinthe
custodyofDEO.
5.9.4. WebcastcamerasshallbeinstalledintheFLChallinsuchamanner
thattheprocessofFLCcanbefullyseenonwebcast.
5.9.5. ControlRoomshall be setupatCEOoce formonitoring through
webcast whether FLC instrucons & procedures are being fully
followed.
5.9.6. CEOshalldeputeteamstoconductsurpriseinspeconofFLCprocess
in the districts from me to me.  The report of such inspecon
undertakenbyCEOshallbesubmiedtotheCommission.
5.9.7. AercompleonoftheFLCofalltheBUs,CUsandVVPATsandupdang
ofFLC-statusintheETS,DEOsshallsubmitaCercatetothiseect
totheCEOintheformatgivenatAnnexure-12andCEOwillsubmita
consolidatedcercateforallthedistrictstotheCommission.
45
 
5.10.1
Comprehensive arrangements should be made forround-the-clock
securityofthestrongroomshavingEVMsaerFirst-Level-Checking.
5.10.2
Minimum one secon of Armed personnel of State Police + State
ArmedPoliceshallbedeployedfor24 X 7 securityofStrongroom
havingFLCdoneEVMs/VVPATs.
5.10.3
 TheentrypointofstrongroomhavingEVMsaerFLCshallhave24X
7CCTVcoverageroundtheclock.
5.10.4. 
Thereshouldbesucientarrangementofreexnguishersandre
alarmnearandinsidethestrongroom.
 5.10.5.
A log book shall be maintained bythe security personnel in which
entry should be made about date, me, duraon and name(s) of
anyoneenteringnearthestrongrooms.Thisincludesvisitsbythe
Observers or DEOs or SPs or Polical Pares/candidates or their
agentsoranyotherperson.

 FLCstatus(FLC-OKorFLC-Failed)oftheBUs,CUsandVVPATsforwhichFLC
has been completed by the Engineers, shall be updated in the ETS using
‘Shiing/FLC/Randomisaon’ mobile-app on day-to-day basis.  In respect
of FLC-OK CUs serial number of the Pink-Paper Seal is also required to
be entered, while entering serial number of Pink-Paper Seal, it should be
ensuredthatonlynumericalnumberistobeenterednotthealphabetpre-
xedtothenumerals(i.e.iftheserialno.ofpinkpapersealisX123456,only
123456willbeenteredasserialno.ofpinkpaperseal).IncaseofVVPATs,
theboxnumberwillalwaysbe‘0’.
 
 ToensurepropertrainingandawarenessonuseofVVPATswithEVMs,the
CommissionhasdirectedthataerFLCofEVMsandVVPATs:
i) 5%ofEVMsandVVPATsshallbetakenoutfortrainingandawareness
purpose.
ii) PolicalParesshouldnecessarilybeinvitedtowitnessthisprocess
from opening of Warehouse and re-sealing of warehouse aer
taking out the EVMs/VVPATs for awareness. Enre process to be
videographed.
46
iii) ThelistofsuchEVMsandVVPATsshallbegiventotheNaonaland
StateRecognisedPolicalPares.Thislistshallalsobesharedwith
thecandidates/theiragents,asandwhentheyarenalised.
iv) AsckerofYellowcolourmenoning“Training/Awareness”shallbe
axedonsuchEVMsandVVPATs.
v) TheabovemenonedEVMsandVVPATsshallbestoredinaseparate
warehousewith propersecurity, as isdoneforstrongroomhaving
FLC-OKEVMsandVVPATs.
vi) SuchEVMsandVVPATsshallbegivenonlytotheauthorisedocials
deputedbytheDistrictEleconOcerconcerned.
vii) TheDEOshallensurethattheocialschosenforcreaonofEVM/
VVPATrelatedawareness/IECcampaign,aswellasthosenominated
for handling these EVMs and VVPATs must be comprehensively
trainedontheusageandfunconingoftheEVMsandVVPATs.
viii) Itshallbeensuredthataertheconclusionoftrainingandawareness
programs,theseEVMsandVVPATsshallbestoredinthedesignated
warehouseonadailybasis.
ix) Properlogbookshallbemaintained.
x) Closing and opening of the designated warehoused shall be
videographed.However,thepresenceoftherepresentavesofthe
policalparesarenotrequiredforthepurpose.
xi) AwarenessEVMs/VVPATscanbeaddedtoTrainingEVMs/VVPATs,if
required.
xii) Both Training and Awareness EVMs/VVPATs can be added to poll
day reserve, if required, aer due process of FLC, randomizaon
andCandidateSenginthepresenceofpolicalpares/contesng
candidates/theiragents.
NOTE:FLCOKEVMs&VVPATstakenoutfortheabovemenonedpurpose,shall
bemarked‘TrainingandAwareness”inETSalsosothattheseEVMsandVVPATs
cannotbeusedforRandomizaon.
 

The Commission has directed that following SoP shall strictly be followed for
Training(includingdemonstraonandawarenessprogramme)ofEVM&VVPAT:
47
EVMor/andVVPATusedfortheaforesaidpurposeshallbechecked/
tested by authorised engineer(s) of M/s Bharat Electronics Limited
(BEL)andM/sElectronicsCorporaonofIndiaLimited(ECIL),asthe
casemaybe,duringFirstLevelChecking(FLC).
Only “FLC OK” units shall be used for training, demonstraon and
awarenesscampaign.
Engineer(s)ofBELandECILshallensurethatthereisnodata(including
ballotpaper,incaseofBallotUnit)ofpreviouseleconintheEVM
andVVPATalso.
Engineer(s) shall only use dummy symbols for ballot paper(s) and
VVPATasmenonedbelow:
 Fornameofcandidates-AAA,BBB,CCC,………andsoon;
Forsymbolofcandidates-Alpha(),Beta(),Gama()………..andso
on.
  Sample:

AAA
2 BBB
CCC
  -
  -
 OnlySampleballotpapers,havingdummynamesandsymbols,shall
beused fortraining,demonstraon,awarenesscampaignandFirst
LevelCheckingofEVMsor/andVVPATs.
BEL/ECIL shall ensure that engineers deputed for training,
demonstraon, awareness campaign and First Level Checking of
EVMsor/andVVPATsmustcarrynecessaryequipment/Zigforsymbol
loading and preparaon of sample ballot papers and printer for
prinngsequenalprintoutofdummydata.
      

 Presiding Ocers, Polling Ocers, Returning Ocer, Assistant
ReturningOcers,SectorOcersandCounngPersonnelmustbe
48
givenhands-on-trainingrelatedtotheirrole/duesonuseofEVMs
withVVPATs.
Every ocial should get an opportunity to operate the EVM with
VVPATsystemandunderstandtheprocessofrecordingthevoteusing
VVPAT.
Separatetrainingshouldbegivenoncounngofprintedpaperslips
fromtheVVPATsystemandtallyingthecountofVVPATpaperslips
withthecountoftheControlUnit.
A copy of VVPAT brochure  should be given to all
ocersduringtrainingandbeavailableatpollingstaononpollday.
AtrainingsessionmaybeincorporatedinthetrainingmoduleofState
PublicAdministraonInstuons,onoperaon&useofVVPATs.

AdemonstraonofVVPATsystemshouldbeorganizedbytheDistrict
EleconOcers(DEOs) forpolicalpares,ReturningOcersand
electorsatsuitablelocaons.
Further,theReturningOcers(ROs)shallarrangedemonstraonof
VVPATsystemforcandidatesandelectorsatsuitablelocaonsinthe
constuency.
The poster “How to Cast Your Vote Using EVMs and VVPATs”
onmethodofvongwithVVPATshouldbepastedat
prominentplacesoftheconstuenciesandatplacesineachpolling
staoninamannerthatvoterswainginthequeueareabletoread
theinstrucons.
The DEO and RO should also organize programmes for awareness
aboutuseofEVMswithVVPATonprintmediaandlocalcable-network
etc.AshortlmonHowtoCastYourVoteusingVVPATwithEVMshall
bemadeinregionallanguageforthispurpose.


49


 
 FirstrandomizaonofBallongUnits(BUs)andControlUnits(CUs)willbe
donetorandomlyassignEVMstoAssembly Constuencies(ACs),training
andAwarenessProgrammes.AerFLCisover,theDEOwillxaschedulefor
rstrandomizaonofEVMs.Thisscheduleshouldbexedinsuchamanner
thatrstrandomizaoniscompletedbeforethestartoftrainingofpolling
personnel. During rst randomizaon, CUs and BUs are assigned to ACs
in the presence of the representaves of recognized polical pares. The
randomizaonwillbedoneinsuchawaythattheCUsandBUsarerandomly
selectedbygroupingthemtomatchthepolldayrequirementincludingthe
reserverequiredforeachconstuency.SurplusCUsandBUsaerassigning
ACstothemshallalsoberandomlygroupedanddistributedACwiseforthe
purposeoftrainingandawarenessprogramme.(forthetrainingofthepolling
staaswellasforthepurposeofvoterawareness).AsckerofGreencolour
shall be axed on the CUs and BUs assigned to ACs for polling. A scker
ofYellowcolourshall beaxedontheCUs andBUsassignedfortraining
andawarenessprogramme. Thescker shall clearlyindicatethe Name of
State/UTandtheNumberandNameofAssemblyConstuency.“Training/
Awareness” will be wrien on the scker of CUs and BUs assigned for
trainingandawareness.“Elecon”willbewrienonthesckerofCUsand
BUsassignedforpolling.NocurrentIDwillbegivenduringrandomizaon.
AerrandomizaontheCUsandBUswillbemarked“Elecon”or“Training/
Awareness”intheEVMtrackingsoware.
 
 AerrstrandomizaonlistofrandomizedCUsandBUsclearlyindicang
whichCUsandBUsaretobeusedinwhichACforpollingandwhichCUsand
BUsaretobeusedinwhichACfortrainingandawarenessshouldbegiven
toeachrecognizedpolicalpartyandawrienacknowledgementobtained.
Acopyofthislistshouldbegiventoallthecandidatesaerthelastdateof
withdrawalofcandidatures.
 
 Aerrstrandomizaon the R.Oof the constuency, shall take chargeof
the CUs and BUs randomly alloed to his constuency. The CUs and BUs
50
meantforuseattheeleconshallbeseparatelytakentoR.O’sstrongroom
underproperescortandwillbeguarded24X7.ThetrainingEVMsshallbe
distributedtotherelevantocersforthetrainingpurpose.Atthemeof
sealingthestrongroom,therepresentavesofpolicalparescanremain
presentandtheycanalsoaxtheirsealonthelock.
 
6.4.1 Aer rst randomizaon of EVMs the Returning Ocer of the
constuency,shalltakechargeoftheCUsandBUsrandomlyalloed
tohisconstuency.TheCUsandBUsmeantforuseattheelecon
shallbeseparatelytakentoR.O’sstrongroomunderproperescort
andwillbeguarded24X7.ThetrainingEVMstobedistributedtothe
relevant ocers for the training purpose shall be kept in separate
strong room within the same premises. At the me of sealing the
strong room, where EVMs to be used for elecon are kept, the
representavesofpolicalparescanremainpresentandtheycan
alsoaxtheirsealonthelock.ForthispurposerecognisedNaonal&
StateLevelPolicalParesshouldbeinmatedinwringinadvance.
6.4.2 Thestrongroomsshouldhaveonlyoneentrypointanddoublelock
system.OnekeyshouldbekeptwithReturningOcerandtheother
withAssistantReturningOcerofconcernedassemblyconstuency.
Otherentrypointsofthestrongrooms(includingwindows)shouldbe
sealedinsuchawaythatnoonehasaccessinsidethestrongrooms.
6.4.3 Securityarrangementsshouldbemaderoundtheclockforthestrong
roomshavingEVMsaerFirstLevelChecking.
6.4.4 TheentrypointofstrongroomhavingEVMsaerFLCshallhaveCCTV
coverageroundtheclock.
6.4.5 Thereshouldbesucientarrangementofreexnguishersnearand
insidethestrongroom.
6.4.6 A log book shall be maintained bythe security personnel in which
entry should be made about date, me, duraon, purpose and
name(s) of anyone entering near the strong rooms.  This includes
visitsbytheObserversorDEOsorSPsorPolicalPares/candidates
ortheiragentsoranyotherperson.
NOTE:Theaboveprocess/procedureshallbefollowedforVVPATalso.
********
51


 
 SecondrandomizaonofEVMshastobedonebeforepreparaonofEVMs
forpollbycandidatesengastheaddresstagofEVMissealedatthemeof
preparaonofEVM(CandidateSet).Thepurposeofsecondrandomizaon
of EVMs is to allocate EVMs randomly to polling staons. The Returning
ocershouldxthedateofpreparaonofEVMsforpoll(Candidateset)
andinmateallcandidatestoremainpresentorsendtheirrepresentaves
duringtheprocess.Thedateshouldbexedasearlyaspossibleaerthe
lastdateofwithdrawalofcandidaturesandnalizaonofballotpapers.On
thisday,secondrandomizaonshouldbedonebeforedoingtheprocessof
preparaonofEVMsforpollsandCUsandBUsshouldberandomlyallocated
to polling staons. Aer second randomizaon, Polling Staon number
shouldbemarkedintheEVMtrackingsoware,againstthoseBUsandCUs
whichhavebeenassignedpollingstaons.ThoseBUsandCUswhichhave
not been assigned polling staons but are meant to be used in elecons
shouldbemarked“Reserve”intheEVMtrackingsoware.AlistofCUsand
BUsalongwiththenumberofpollingstaonsassignedtothemshouldbe
giventoall the candidates.SimilarlyalistofCUsandBUskeptinreserve
shouldalsobegiventothecandidatesandtheirwrienacknowledgement
taken.
 
 WheremorethanoneBallong Unitisbeing used,theReturningOcers
willensurethat the addionalpreparedBallong Units arealso allocated
randomly to the polling staons. For this purpose there may be two
Scenarios–
7.2.1Scenario1:
 PreparaonofEVMsandsecondlevelrandomizaonisalreadyoverbefore
theaddionalBallongUnitsreachtheReturningOcer’sHeadquarters.In
thiscase,anotherrandomizaonforallocangBallongUnitsNo.2/3willbe
donetoallocatetheBallongUnitstothepollingstaonsandthelistofsuch
allocaonshallalsobesuppliedtothePolicalPares/Candidates.
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7.2.2Scenario2:
 PreparaonofEVMsandsecondlevelrandomizaonisdoneaerthearrival
ofaddionalBallongUnits.Insuchcase,therandomizaonwillbedonein
suchawaythatagainstthepollingstaonnumbertheControlUnitnumber
isshownrstandthentheBallongUnitNo.1andBallongUnitNo2andso
on.
 
In the constuencies where addional Ballong Units are being used
because of the number of contesng candidates being more than 16
(includingNOTA),thePresidingOcersshouldbespecicallyinstructedto
arrangetheBallongUnitsinthemannerasshowninthegureenclosed
herewithatAnnexure-9.Forthispurpose,thesizeofVongCompartment
shouldbeincreasedproporonallyinsuchawaythattheelectorsarenot
puttoanykindofinconvenienceandatthesamemethesecrecyofballot
isnotcompromisedinanyway.
NOTE: Theaboveprocess/procedureshallbefollowedforVVPATalso.
********
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

 
Preparaon of EVMs/VVPATs for elecons shall be done invariably in the
presence of candidates or their representaves. The Returning Ocer
shall draw a schedule for preparaon of EVMs/VVPATs.  Preparaon of
EVMsshouldstartassoonaspossibleaerthelastdateofwithdrawalof
candidatures. Sucient me should be provided for preparaon of EVMs
foreachAssemblyConstuencyinthecaseofAssemblyEleconsandfor
eachassemblysegmentinthecaseof ParliamentaryElecons.Itmaybe
noted that the me required for preparaon of EVMs/VVPATs under the
new instrucons will be suciently more than the me required earlier.
Therefore,thescheduleshouldbexedinsuchamannerthatpreparaonof
EVMs/VVPATsisnotdoneinahurriedmanner.Ideally,theReturningOcer
shouldxbetween3-5daysforeachAssemblySegmentforthispurpose.In
caseofParliamentaryElecons,preparaonofEVMsforassemblysegment
shouldbesupervisedbyAssistantReturningOcers.Thescheduleshould
be made in such a manner that preparaon of EVMs/VVPATs is done for
allthe assembly segmentsin separatehalls andis completedat least 8 –
10 days before the poll. Candidates should be informed in wring of the
schedule forpreparaon of EVMs/VVPATs and should be requested to be
presentorsendtheirrepresentavesatthemeofpreparaonofEVMs/
VVPATs. In the wrien invitaon, conveying schedule for preparaon of
EVMs/VVPATtobesenttotheCandidates,itshallbemenonedthatthey/
their representaves must be present to oversee preparaon of EVMs/
VVPATsandacvelyparcipateinthemockpollprocess.Onthedayofthe
preparaon,aregisterinAnnexure-15willbekeptbytheReturningOcerin
whichthesignaturesofcandidatesortheirrepresentaveswillbetakenas
tokenoftheirpresence.
 
 PreparaonshallbecarriedoutinalargehallwhichcanaccommodateallEVMs
tobeprepared.Thehallshouldbeabletoaccommodateocersnominated
bytheDistrictEleconOcer,engineersofBharatElectronicsLimited(BEL)
/ElectronicsCorporaonof India Limited (ECIL)andalsorepresentavesof
54
candidates.Beforethehallisusedforpreparaon,itshallbefullysanized
toensurethatthehallisfreefromanyotherelectronicdeviceorcomponents
ofelectronicdevices.Everyentrytothehallshallbeguardedbypoliceforce.
Everyhallshallhaveadoor-framemetaldetector.Everypersonwhoentersthe
hallshallbefriskedateveryentry.Entrytothishallshallbeonproduconof
IdentyCardoftheauthorizedocials/passesissuedbytheDistrictElecon
Ocer (DEO). Nobody will beallowed to carry any electronic device inside
thehallincludingcellphones,cameraandspypens.Similarly,nobodywillbe
allowedtocarryanythingoutofthepreparaonhall.
 
 
     

  

            

            
Manufacturers shall provide Protocol/checklist on preparaon of EVMs/
VVPATs to DEO/RO beforehand for proper watch on work of Engineers.





 
 DetailedinstruconsofthetaskstobedoneduringpreparaonofBallong
UnitsandControlUnitsofEVMshavebeengiventheHandbookforReturning
Ocers.  In addion to these tasks, following addional tasks shall be
performed:-
8.4.1 CheckingofBallongUnits(BUs)–
Outer cover of BUs shall be opened and inside of BU shown to
candidates and their representavesat the me of preparaon of
EVMs.BUshallbeexaminedbyBELandECILengineerswhowillcerfy
asinAnnexure-16thatallcomponentsofBUsareoriginal.IfanyBU
55
isfounddefecve,itwillbekeptasideandcanbetakenbacktothe
factoryofBELandECILforrepairs.Norepairsshallbecarriedoutin
theeld.Changingofcomponentsintheeldisstrictlyprohibited.
DetailedinstruconsofcheckingofBUshallbeissuedseparatelyby
BELandECILfortheirrespecvemachines.Theseinstruconswill
includealistofequipmentwhichtheengineerswillberequiredto
carrywithinthepreparaonhall.Securitypersonnelwillnotallow
anyotherequipmenttobecarriedintothepreparaonhall.
8.4.2 TheVVPATsystemshallbepreparedforpollinthefollowingmanner
asmenonedinRule49B[4(c)(i)–(iii)]oftheConductofElecons
Rules,1961:
TheVVPATconsistsofVVPATStatusDisplayUnit(VSDU)andVVPAT
Printer unit. A new baery power pack shall be connected to the
VVPATunit and shut thedoorof the baerycompartment,but no
sealingisrequiredonbaerycompartmentasthepowerpackcanbe
replacediflowbaerystatusisindicatedonVSDUduringthepoll.
A fresh paper roll shall be installed in the printer unit as per the
proceduremenonedintheusermanualforVVPATprovidedbythe
manufacturer()
Serialnumbers,names ofcandidatesand symbolsalloedshall be
loadedinVVPATwiththehelpofengineers.Atestprintoutshallbe
checkedwiththeballotpaperinBallongUnit(BU).
Then one vote to each candidate shall be given to check that the
VVPATisprinngthepaperslipsaccurately.
Installaonofpaperroll Inserngofpowerpack
56
Thereaer, switch o the CU and seal the latches of paper roll
compartmentusingthreadsealsandaddresstags.Thecandidates/
their agents shall be allowed to ax their signatures with party
abbreviaonsonAddressTags.
8.4.3 ConductofMockPoll:
  DuringcommissioningofEVMsandVVPATs,mockpollof1000votes
willbecaston5%randomlyselectedEVMs,aswellasVVPATs.The
electronicresultshallbetalliedwithpapercount.Candidates/their
representaves shall be allowed to pick machines randomly for
thispurposeandalsotoparcipateintheprocess.Representaves
of candidates shall be allowed to do the mock poll themselves.
Signaturesofrepresentavesofcandidatesshallbetakeninaregister
inAnnexure–18astokenofhavingdonemockpollthemselves.Itmay
beensuredthatthepinkpapersealoftheCUwhichhasbeenapplied
ontheCUatthemeofFLCisnotdamagedinanymannerinthis
process.
8.4.4 SealingofplasccabinetofBUwithpinkpaperseal: 
  DetailedinstruconsofsealingtheBUwiththreadsealsaremenoned
in the Handbook for Returning Ocers.   In addion, the BU shall
besealedwithaspecial“pinkpaperseal”suppliedbyIndiaSecurity
Press,Nasik,inthepresenceofcandidatesortheirrepresentavesat
themeofpreparaonofEVMs.Pinkpapersealshallbexedatthe
lowermostporonoftheBUinsuchamannerthatnocandidate’s
buonorcandidate’sname orsymbolishiddenbytheseal. Aer
axingthepinkpaperseal,BEL/ECILengineershallputhissignature
onthepinkpaperseal.Candidatesortheirrepresentavesshallalso
beallowedtoputtheirsignaturesonthepinkpapersealwithname
ofthe candidate,partybeforethe signature.Candidatesandtheir
representavesshouldalsobeallowedtonotedowntheserialnumber
ofthepinkpapersealoftheCU.AregisterinAnnexure-19shallbe
maintainedtonotedowntheserialno.ofthepinkpapersealusedon
theBallongunitbyclearlymenoninguniqueIDoftheBUandpink
papersealno.Signaturesofcandidatesandtheirrepresentaveswill
alsobeobtainedonthisregister.Photocopiesofthisregisterwillbe
givenfreeofcosttoallcandidatesoncepreparaonisover.
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8.4.5 Supervisionofthepreparaon:
  PreparaonshallbesupervisedeitherpersonallybytheROorone
of the AROs deputed by the RO for this purpose. The process of
preparaon of EVM should be fully video-graphed. Manufacturers
shallalso depute Sr.Level EngineersatStateandDistrictlevelsfor
supervisionandcoordinaonduringpreparaonofEVMs/VVPATs.
NOTE: In case any BU or CU does not work properly during
commissioning of EVMs & VVPATs, dispersal of polling pares or
duringmockMock-pollatpollingstaon,theconcernedunit(i.e.in
caseBUdoesnotworkproperly,onlyBUistobereplacedandsimilar
forCU)willbereplacedfromthereserveone.
********
58


9.1 WhentheEVMs/VVPATs aretakenout of the strongroomfordispatchto
polling staons, the usual precauon of informing the date and me of
openingofstrongroominwringtothecandidates/agentsshallbefollowed.
9.2 Atthemeofdispatch,thePresidingOcersshallbeadvisedtocompare
themachinenumberinscribedonthemetallabelandtheadhesivescker
andalsoverifythe PS no indicatedon the sckerand compareitwithPS
no. menoned in the address tag before accepng the EVM/VVPATs.
Discrepancy,ifany,shallbebroughttothenoceoftheocerinchargeof
dispatcharrangementandbereconciled.
9.3 ThecandidatesmaybeadvisedtosharethemachinenumberoftheEVM
(bothCU/BU)/VVPATsalloedtothespecicPSwiththeirpollingagent/
agentsappointedbythemsothattheyareinaposiontoinspecttheEVM/
VVPATfortheirsasfaconbeforethecommencementofmockpollatthe
polling staon on the poll day. The Presiding Ocers shall be advised to
showthemachinenumbertotheagentspresentbeforethecommencement
ofthemockpoll.Itisrelevanttonotethataspertheexisnginstrucons
thePresidingOcerissupposedtomenonthenumberofCUused;serial
numberofCUused;numbersofBU/BUsusedandserialnumbersofBU/BUs;
numberofVVPAT(s);serialnumberofVVPATusedatthepollingstaonin
thePresidingOcer’sDiary.Thisinstruconshallbescrupulouslyfollowed.
             
            

59



Thefollowinginstruconsshallbecompliedwithforensuringsafemovementof
EVMsbyZonal/Sector/AreaMagistrates.FollowingcategoryofEVMsmoveonpoll
daywitheitherpollpartyorSector/Zonal/AreaMagistrate:-
 
Polled EVMs: Those EVMs in which votes polled at polling staons are
recorded and which are closed at the end of poll aer following due
procedure.
 
Defecve polled EVMs which become defecve aer some votes are
recordedinit.
 
 DefecveunpolledEVMswhichbecomedefecvebeforecommencement
ofpollandarereplaced.
 
 UnusedEVMs:ReserveEVMswhicharewithSector/Zonal/AreaMagistrate,
andarenotusedinactualpoll.
 ZonalMagistratesandAreaOcerswhoaregivenEVMsfromreservestock
will maintain a register where the parculars of Ballong Units (BU) and
Control Units (CU) issued to them  are menoned and a receipt shall be
obtainedforthemachinesgiventothem.Suchocersshouldalsomaintain
theaccountsofEVMsreplaced,ifany,intheregistermaintainedbythemfor
thispurposedulysignedbytheconcernedPresidingOcers,indicangme
ofreplacement.
 Zonal/Sector/Area Ocers should visit every polling staon in their
jurisdiconasmanymesaspossibleonthepolldayandcheckworkingof
EVMsandotherthings.
 EVMsofcategory‘A’arestoredinaStrongRoomasperprocedurelaiddown.
 EVMsofcategory‘B’arealsostoredseparatelywiththeEVMsofcategory
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‘A’inaStrongRoom.InrespectofthiscategoryofEVMs,theSector/Zonal/
Area Magistrate shall keep a record of it and furnish a cercate to the
eect while returning the EVMs of category ‘D’ on the next day of poll.
TheinformaonfurnishedbythemshallbetalliedwithPresidingOcer’s
diarybytheReturningOcerandtheObserverbeforecommencementof
counngofvotes.
 EVMsofcategory‘C’arestoredseparatelyinaseparateroomotherthanthe
strongroom.Thesckerofdefecveun-polledEVMsshouldbepastedon
thecarryingcasesofsuchcategoryofBallongUnitsandControlUnits,for
technicalevaluaonofthesamebythemanufacturer.

EVMsofcategory‘D’arealsostoredseparatelyinaseparateroom,other
than the strong room where polled EVMs are kept, by Sector/Zonal/Area
Magistrate.ThesckerofunusedEVMsshouldbepastedonthecarrying
casesofsuchcategoryofBallongUnitsandControlUnits.

 ThestoreroomwheretheEVMs of category‘C’and ‘D’ will bekept is to
bedecidedinadvanceandinmatedtothepolicalpares/candidates.It
shouldnotbeinthevicinityofthecolleconandthecounngcentersoasto
arouseanysuspicion.ThiscategoryofEVMsshouldalsonotbecollectedon
thedayofpoll,ratheritshouldbecollectedonthenextdayofpollfromthe
concernedZonal/Sector/AreaOcers.Onthedayofpoll,thesecategories
of EVMs should be in the personal custody of Zonal/Sector/Area Ocers,
astheseareunusedEVMs.Also,properdocumentaonofsuchandother
unusedEVMsistobemadebeforetheyaretransportedtothestoreroom
bytheZonal/Sector/AreaMagistratethemselves.However,forsafestorage
ofEVMsof‘C’and‘D’categoriesbyZonal/Sector/AreaOcersaerpoll,a
separatestorage-roomshallbeearmarkedsothattheseEVMscanbestored
safelybeforedeposinginstoreroomontheverynextday.
NOTE: Theaboveprocess/procedureshallbefollowedforVVPATalso.
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


Inordertomaintainsecrecyofvoteatthemeofpollanduniformityonuseof
vongcompartments,thefollowinginstruconsshallbestrictlyadheredonuseof
VongCompartmentatPollingStaons–
The vong compartments shall be made only of corrugated plasc sheet
(ex-board)ofsteelgreycolour,whichisopaqueandreusable.
 TheVongCompartmentshallbeinthreefolds,eachfoldhavingdimension
of 24"X24”X30" (Length X Width X Height).  Increased height of 30” is
mandatory.
Allthethreesidesofthevongcompartmentsshallbeprintedasmenoned
at.
Theheightofthetableonwhichthevongcompartmentisplacedshould
be30”asshownat.
IfmorethanoneBUisusedforpoll,thewidthofthevongcompartment
may be increased 12” for each addional BU. Where addional Ballong
Unitsarebeingused,PresidingOcersshallarrangetheBallongUnitsin
themannerasshownatWhileplacingtheEVMinthevong
compartment,itmustbeensuredwithoutfailthatsecrecyofvongisnot
violated.Forthispurpose,itmustbeensuredthatitisnotnearthewindow
orthedoorofthepollingstaon.
 TheinterconnecngcableofBallongUnit/VVPATshouldbesoroutedthat
itdoesnotobstructthemovementofvotersinsidethepollingstaonandtheydo
nottreadortripoverit,but
.
 TheCommissionhasfurtherdirectedthat
1. Properelectricityarrangementsshouldbemadeatthepollingstaons.
2. High voltage incandescent bulbs/tube-light should not be placed over or
frontofthevongcompartment.
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3. VongCompartmentshouldbeplacedinsuchawaythat
(a) sucientlightisavailableinsidethevongcompartment.
(b) nodirectlighngisplacedoverorinfrontofthevongcompartment.
(c) secrecyofvongisnotviolated.
(d) vongcompartmentisnotplacednearthewindow/door.
NOTE: Thesizeofthevongcompartmentasspeciedaboveincludestheuseof
VVPAT.
*******
63


InordertoensurethattheconductofthePresidingOcerandotherpollingsta,
innowaygivesscopeforanycomplaint,theCommissionhasissuedthefollowing
instruconsforstrictadherence:-
12.1 The D.E.O shall supply a printed sample of EVM Ballong unit pasted on
acardboard(realsize)toallthepresidingocersalongwithotherpolling
materialsatthemeofdispatch.Whileprinngsuchmodelballot,careshall
betakentoensurethatonlydummynameanddummysymbolsthatarenot
inuse,areusedandnotanyrealnamesorsymbols.Itshallbeprintedincolor
sothat‘bluebuon’‘greenlight’and‘redlight’etc.areclearlyrepresented.
12.2 WheneveranyvoterasksforhelporexpressesinabilitytovoteusingEVM,
thepresidingocercanexplaintothevoterthevongprocessusingthe
cardboardmodeloftheEVMballotinsuchamannerthatthevoterisableto
understand.Thisshallbedoneoutsidethevongcompartmentonlyinthe
presenceofpollingagentsandneverinsidethevongcompartment.
12.3 The Presiding Ocer or other polling sta shall not frequent the vong
compartmentasthatmaygivescopeforcomplaints.
12.4 Inordertoensurethatnovoterhascommiedanymischiefbypasngany
paper,tapesetc.,onthesymbol/names/ballotbuon,thepresidingocer
may from me to me make an inspecon of Ballong unit (BU)- but he
shouldmakeitapointtodosointheimmediatepresenceofpollingagents
whenthereisnovoterinsidethevongcompartment.
12.5 Anycomplaintabouttheconductofthepollingstaatthepollingstaon
shall be taken seriously and properly enquired. The Observers are being
instructed to take serious note of such complaints and conduct or cause
enquiryintosuchallegaonsandsubmitreportstotheCommission.
12.6 All the CUs/BUs/VVPATs alloed to Polling Staons as well as the reserve
machinesshall bekeptinthestrongroominthepresenceofcandidates/
agents.Theycanalsobeallowedtoaxtheirsealonthelockofthestrong
room.
********
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

 
 Mockpollshallbeconductednormallyonehourbeforethescheduledhour
of commencement of poll. All contesng candidates should be informed
inwringwellinadvancethatmockpollwouldstartonehourbeforethe
commencementofpollandtheyshouldbeadvisedtoinstructtheirpolling
agentstobepresentinmeforthemockpoll.Pollingagentsofatleasttwo
candidatesshouldbepresentatthemeofMockPoll.However,ifpolling
agentsofatleasttwocandidatesarenotpresent,thePresidingOcermay
waitfor15moreminutesbeforeconducngthemockpollandiftheagents
sll do not come, then the Presiding Ocer may go ahead and start the
mockpoll.Itisfurtherclariedthataerwaingfor15minutes,thereisa
possibilitythatonlyonePollingagentmaybepresent,inthatsituaonalso,
thePresidingOcershouldgoaheadandstartmockpoll.Insuchcase,there
shouldbespecicmenoninthemockpollcercateonthisaspect.
13.2 During the mock poll, BU and VVPAT should be placed in the Vong
Compartment,whereaPollingOcershouldbepresentalongwithpolling
agentstoobserve.TheCUandVSDUshouldbeplacedonthetableofthe
PresidingOcer/PollingOcer.ThisPollingOcerwillkeeparecordofthe
votescast.
13.3 Themockpollshouldbeconductedwiththepollingagentsvongatrandom
foreach of the contesng candidates. A total of at least 50 votes should
bepolledinthemockpoll.Inthecaseofabsenceofpollingagentsofany
of the candidates, one of the polling ocers or other polling agents may
record the votes for such candidates. The polling ocers present in the
VongCompartmentshouldensurethatvotesarerecordedforeachofthe
contesngcandidates.Aerthemockpoll,PresidingOcerwillascertain
the result in the CU, count the VVPAT paper slips in the presence of the
pollingagentsandconrmthattheresultstallyforeachcandidate.
13.4 AllmockpolldatainCUandVVPATpaperslipsfromVVPATmustberemoved
by the Presiding Ocer and the empty drop box veried by the Polling
Agents.
13.5 The mock poll VVPAT paper slips, should be stamped on their back side
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withrubberstamphavinginscripon

mockpollVVPATpaperslipsshallbe
kept in an envelope made of thick
blackpaperandsealedwiththeseal
of the Presiding Ocer. The sample
imageofthesaidstampisasunder:
(Thedimensionsofthestamptobeusedforthepurposeshouldbe3cmsX
1.5cms)
13.6 ThePresidingOcerandpollingagentsmustputtheirsignaturesonthe
envelope.Thenumberandnameofthepollingstaon,numberandname
ofAssemblyConstuency,dateofpollandthewords“VVPATpaperslipsof
MockPoll”shallbewrienontheenvelope.
13.7 Thisenvelopemustbekeptinthespecialplascboxformockpollandsealed
withapinkpapersealplacedallaroundinsuchamannerthatopeningof
theboxwillrequirebreakingoftheseal.
13.8 Thenumberandnameofthepollingstaon,numberandnameofAssembly
Constuencyandthedateofpollshallbewrienontheplascbox.
13.9 The Presiding Ocer and Polling Agents must put their signatures on the
pinkpaperseal and keeptheboxalongwith other documentsrelangto
elecons. Thereaer, Presiding Ocer will sign the Mock Poll Cercate
()andsealtheCU.
13.10 
The drop box of VVPAT should be sealed with an address tag before the
actualpollstarts.
13.11
 ThePresidingOcersshallensurethatthedataofthemockpollisdeleted,
withoutfail,beforetheocialpollstarts.Thisisverycricalstepandthis
shouldbeemphasizedduringtraining.
13.12
The Presiding Ocers shall menon the names of the Polling agents and
thecandidates(andtheirpartyaliaons),whomtheyrepresentandalso
obtaintheirsignaturesonthecompleonofmockpollonthecercate.
13.13
Where a micro-observer has been appointed at any polling staons,
he should also parcipate in all the proceeding of the mock poll and his
signatureshouldalsobeobtainedonthemockpollcercate.Further,these
proceedings should be videographed wherever videography arrangement
hasbeenmadeatapollingstaon.
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13.14 
The Returning Ocer through the Sector Ocers and using the
communicaon link with the polling staon/ mobile teams, shall
tracktheconductorotherwiseofmockpoll,andascertainthemock
pollstatus.Non-conrmaonofmockpollcouldbeindicaveofnon-
commencementofpollandinthatcasetheReturningOcershall
makeimmediateintervenontosortouttheproblem.
13.15 
The polling staons not having the presence of agents of the
candidatesofrecognizedparesandwherethemockpollhadtobe
conductedintheabsenceofagentsorwiththepollingagentofonly
onecandidateshallmeritfocusedaenonoftheeleconmachinery.
Intervenonssuchasdeploymentofmicro-observers,deploymentof
videocameras(ifnotalreadydone),frequentvisitsbysectorocers
andotherseniorocersshouldbeensuredinsuchcases.
 
 13.16.1.
In case the CU or the BU does not work properly during actual
poll,replacementofthewholeEVMincludingCU,BUandVVPATis
required. However, in such case only one vote to each contesng
candidateincludingNOTAshouldbepolledinthemockpoll.
 13.16.2.
Aerthemockpoll,PresidingOcerwillascertaintheresultinthe
CU,counttheVVPATpaperslipsinthepresenceofthepollingagents
andconrmthattheresultstallyforeachcandidate.
 13.16.3.
AllmockpolldatainCUandVVPATpaperslipsfromVVPATmustbe
removedbythePresidingOcerandtheemptydropboxveriedby
thePollingAgents.
 13.16.4.
ThemockpollVVPATpaperslips,shouldbestampedontheirbackside
withrubberstamphavinginscripon“MOCKPOLLSLIP”,thereaer
thesemockpollVVPATpaperslipsshallbekeptinanenvelopemade
ofthickblackpaperandsealedwiththesealofthePresidingOcer.
Thesampleimageofthesaidstampisasunder:
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(Thedimensionsofthestamptobeusedforthepurposeshouldbe
3cmsX1.5cms)
 13.16.5.
ThePresidingOcerandpollingagentsmustputtheirsignatureson
theenvelope.Thenumberandnameofthepollingstaon,number
and name of Assembly Constuency, date of poll and the words
“VVPAT paper slips pertaining to Mock Poll conducted in case of
replacementofwholesetofEVMandVVPAT”shallbewrienonthe
envelope.
 13.16.6.
Thisenvelopemustbekeptinthespecialplascboxformockpoll
andsealedwithapinkpapersealplacedallaroundinsuchamanner
thatopeningoftheboxwillrequirebreakingoftheseal.
 13.16.7.
Thenumberandnameofthepollingstaon,numberandnameof
AssemblyConstuencyandthedateofpollshallbewrienonthe
plascbox.
13.16.8.
ThePresidingOcerandPollingAgentsmustputtheirsignatureson
thepinkpaperseal and keepthe boxalong withotherdocuments
relangtoelecons.Thereaer,PresidingOcerwillsigntheanother
MockPollCercateandsealtheCUandVVPAT.
 13.16.9.
ThedropboxofVVPATshouldbesealedwithanaddresstagbefore
theactualpollstarts.
NOTE:IncaseofreplacementofonlyVVPATduringactualpoll.Nomockpollwill
beconducted.


 IthasbeenbroughttothenoceoftheCommissionthatintheelecons
wherepost–2006makeEVMswereused,insomecases,thedateandme
of start and end of poll displayed in the Control Unit of EVM during the
process of counng of votes did not match with Indian Standard Time of
startandendofpollleadingtoconfusioninthemindsofstakeholders.This
canonlyhappenifthedateandmedisplayedintheControlUnitarenot
checkedatthemeofCandidateSetprocedureandalsoatthemeofpoll.
Toremovesuchconfusioninfuture,theCommissionhasdecidedtoissue
thefollowinginstruconinthisregard:
13.17.1 
The display of date and me in the ControlUnit of the EVM shall
becheckedeachmethepowerswitchofControlUnitisswitched
68
on during the process of First Level Checking of EVM and again at
the me of Preparaon of EVM by Returning Ocer. In case any
dierence from Indian Standard Time is noced the clock shall be
recalibratedbytheengineersoftheBEL/ECIL.
13.17.2
 ThePresidingOcer,attheendofMockPollatthepollingstaon,
shallinvariablycheckandnotethedateandmeshowninthedisplay
oftheControlUnitandalsotheactualdateandmeatthatpointof
measwellasanydiscrepancybetweenthetwo,ifany,intheMock
Pollcercate(Annexure-21)andalsoinPresidingOcers'Diary.
13.17.3
 Atthemeofclosureofpoll,thepresidingocershallmakeanote
ofthePollenddateandmedisplayedontheCUinthepresiding
ocer’sdiary.
 13.17.4
 During the process of counng of votes, a copy of the Mock Poll
cercatepreparedbythePresidingOcershallbebroughttothe
counngtablewiththeControlUnitpertainingtothatpollingstaon.
             
            

69

DURING ACTUAL POLL
14.1.ROLEOFPOLLINGPARTIES:
 OneextrapollingocialmustbeprovidedtohandletheVVPATunit
whileconstungpollingpares.Thispollingocialshouldhandle
VVPATunitandalsowatchVSDUconnuouslyduringpollprocess.
The ocial shall immediately inform the Presiding Ocer of any
errornocedinVSDU.Atthemeofdispersalofpollingpares,two
copiesoftheTroubleshoonginstruconsandListof
addionalitemsofpollingmaterialsshallbehanded
overtothePresidingOcers.
Adequatenumbersofblackpaperenvelopesandplascboxesmay
alsobeprocuredforstoringthepaperballotslipsfromtheVVPAT.
NOTE:IncaseofM3VVPAT,noextrapollingocialisrequiredtohandletheM3
VVPATasthereisnoVSDUwithM3VVPATanderrorrelatedtoVVPATdisplayson
CUitself.
 
14.2.1
 WRONGPRINTINGCOMPLAINT
 Ifanyvoterallegesaboutthewrongprinngofparcularsofacandidateand/
orsymbolofthatcandidateonVVPATpaperslipprintedbytheprinteron
pressingofconcernedblue(candidate)buonontheBallongUnittowhich
theprinterisconnected,thePresidingOcerofthepollingstaonshould
providehima‘FormofDeclaraon’tolodgeacomplaintand
followtheprocedureprescribedunderrule49MA,whichreadsasunder:
 “49MA.Procedureincaseofcomplaintaboutparcularsprintedonpaper
slip-
Whereprinterforpapertrailisused,ifanelectoraerhavingrecorded
hisvoteunderrule49Mallegesthatthepaperslipgeneratedbythe
printer has shown the name or symbol of a candidate other than
the one he voted for, the presiding ocer shall obtain a wrien
declaraonfromtheelectorastotheallegaon,aerwarningthe
electorabouttheconsequenceofmakingafalsedeclaraon.
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Iftheelectorgivesthewriendeclaraonreferredtoinsub-rule(1),
thepresidingocershallmakeasecondentryrelatedtothatelector
inForm17A,andpermittheelectortorecordatestvoteinthevong
machine in his presence and in the presence of the candidates or
pollingagentswhomaybepresentinthepollingstaon,andobserve
thepaperslipgeneratedbytheprinter.
Iftheallegaonisfoundtrue,thepresidingocershallreportthe
factsimmediatelytothereturningocer,stopfurtherrecordingof
votesinthatvongmachineandactasperthedireconthatmaybe
givenbytheReturningOcer.
If,however,theallegaonisfoundtobefalseandthepaperslipso
generatedundersub-rule(1)matcheswiththetestvoterecordedby
theelectorundersub-rule(2),then,thepresidingocershall-
makearemarktothateectagainstthesecondentryrelangtothat
electorinForm17Amenoningtheserialnumberandnameofthe
candidateforwhomsuchtestvotehasbeenrecorded;
Obtainthesignatureorthumbimpressionofthatelectoragainstsuch
remarks;andmakenecessaryentriesregardingsuchtestvoteinitem
5inPartIofForm17C.”.
14.2.2.
HANDLINGCONTINGENCIESDURINGPOLL:
Certain conngencies may arise during the polling process, which
mayrequirecertainacons.Theseareasfollows:-




IncasetheVSDUisshowing“LowBaery”,thepowerpackbaery
ofVVPATshouldbereplaced.Itshouldbeensuredthatbeforetaking
outthepowerpackbaeryofVVPAT,controlunitmustbeswitched
OFF and aer installing new power pack baery in VVPAT, control
unitshouldbeswitchedON.ControlUnitshouldnotbeswitchedON
withoutinstallingpowerpackinVVPAT.
In case there is any other error, like “Paper Low” error, the VVPAT
will stop prinng and the error shall be displayed on the VSDU. In
71

  Therefore,if VVPAThasnot printedthepaperslip, or
theprintedpapersliphasnotbeencut,thelastvoterwhosepaper
sliphas not beenprintedbyVVPAT or has not been cutshould be
allowedtocasthisvoteaertheVVPAThasbeenreplaced.Incase
theprintedpapersliphasnotbeencutandishangingfromthepaper
roll, no eort should be made to make it fall into the drop box. It
shouldbeallowedtoremainhangingasitmeansthatthevotehas
notbeenrecordedinControlUnitandasitisnottobecountedat
themeofcounngoftheprinted-paperslips.Thedetailsofsuchan
occurrenceshouldbeclearlyrecordedinthePresidingOcer’sdairy
inthefollowingformat:-
 Thedateandmeoftheoccurrence.
Thenameofthevoterandhisserialnumberinthepartintheelectoral
roll,whowasallowedtocasthisvoteaerreplacementofVVPAT.
WhetherthevotercasthisvoteaerreplacementofVVPATorwent
awaywithoutcasnghisvote.
TheTotalnumberofvotescastbeforetheoccurrence.
In case of conngencies, the Presiding Ocers may also refer to
forsoluons.
72


15.1 In case of re-poll, the EVM required for re-poll shall be drawn from the
reserve list and the CU/BU number shall be informed to the candidates/
agentsinwring.Careshallbetakentoensurethattheaddresstagonthe
CUandBUclearlymenonsittobetheEVMforuseinthere-pollindicang
thedateandPSno.
15.2 Incaseofre-poll,apre-printedself-adhesivescker“Re-pollEVM”shallbe
pastedontheEVM(CU&BU)aswellascarryingcasesofthe EVMtobe
used forre-poll.  Aer re-poll the strong room shall be re-opened in the
presenceofthecandidates/theiragentsandobserverforthestorageofthe
re-polledEVM.Thisre-polledEVMshouldbeplacedtogetherwiththeold
EVMwhichwasusedearlierintheoriginalpoll.Atthemeofplacingthe
‘Re-pollEVM’aerre-pollinthestrongroom,anotherpre-printedscker
with    shall be pasted on the re-polled EVM.
Anotherpre-printedsckershallbeputprominently
ontheoldEVM,toremoveanyconfusionatthemeofcounng.
15.3 Incaseofre-poll,theuniqueIDnumberoftheCUandBUsusedinre-poll
shouldbeenteredintheEVMtrackingsoware.
NOTE: Theaboveprocess/procedureshallbefollowedforVVPATalso.
73


 
16.1.1
 Atthemeofcounng,onlytheCUsarenormallyneeded.BUsneed
notbetakentotheCounngHall.Beforestarngthecounnginthe
CU,theuniqueIDnumberoftheCU,theUniqueIDnumberofthe
PinkPaperSealandtheuniqueIDnumberofGreenpapersealshould
beveriedfromtherecordandshowntothepollingagents.
 16.1.2
In EVMs, the Poll start date and me and poll end date and me
displayedontheCUshouldbeveriedfromtherecordandshownto
thepollingagents.
16.2 Procedureincaseofdiscrepancyinthedateandmeofstartandend
ofpoll
 16.2.1
 Incaseofanydiscrepancyinthedateandmeofstartandendofpoll
displayedintheControlUnitwithIndianStandardTimeofstartand
endofpoll,thedierencewillbecomparedwiththedateandme
notedbyPresidingOcerinthemockpollcercate.
 16.2.2
 Ifthedateandmedierenceatthemeofmockpolldoesnotmatch
withthedateandmedierenceofstartandendofpollatthemeof
counng,theEVMwillbekeptasideandthemaerwillbereferredto
theCommissionforitsdecision.Ifonotherhand,thedierenceofdate
andmeatthemeofmockpollmatcheswiththedierenceofdate
andmeof startand endofpollnocedatthe meofcounng,the
discrepancywillbeexplainedtothecandidatesandtheirrepresentaves
andthevotespolledintheEVMwillbecountedintheusualmanner.
 
 Thefollowingaconbetakenduringcounngofvotes,insuchcircumstances,
inthepresenceofcandidates/theirauthorizedagents,undervideography:-
 16.3.1
 IncaseanyControlUnitdoesnotdisplayresultduetonot-pressing
of “Close” buon by the Presiding Ocer in the polling staon at
thecloseofpoll,itshouldbekeptbackinsideitscarryingcaseand
thenbekeptintheReturningOcer’scustodyinthecounnghall.
Counngofvotesinothermachinesshouldconnueasusual.
74
 16.3.2
When counng of votes in other machines is completed, the
Returning Ocer and Observer should see whether the margin of
votesbetweentherstcandidateandtherunnerupismoreorless
thanthevotespolledinsuchmachine(s).
 16.3.3
 Inboththecaseswherethemarginofvotesismoreorlessthanthe
totalvotespolledinthatmachine(s),theReturningOcer/Counng
Supervisorshallpressthe“Total”buonoftheControlUnittosee
thetotalvotespolledinthatmachine(s).Incase,totalvotespolled
inthemachine(s)tallieswiththetotalvotespolledmenonedinthe
Form-17 C, the Returning Ocer/Counng Supervisor shall press
the“Close”buonoftheControlUnit(s)sothat“Result”buoncan
bepressedforgengresultdataexplainingtheenreissuetothe
candidatesand/ortheirauthorisedagentsandrecordingaproceeding
inthisbehalfwiththesignaturesofthecandidates/theirauthorised
agents. In such a case, the Returning Ocer and Observer should
sendadetailedreporttotheCommissionintheformatmenonedat
Annexure-25.
 16.3.4
 Incase,totalvotespolledinthemachine(s)doesnottallywiththe
totalvotespolledmenonedintheForm-17C,themaershouldbe
referredbytheReturningOcertotheCommissionforitsdecision
andaconmaybetakenasperthedireconoftheCommission.In
such a case, the Returning Ocer and Observer should also send
a detailed report to the Commission in the format menoned at
Annexure-17, where the margin of votes between the candidates
havinghighestvoteandtherunnerupismorethanthevotespolled
in the Control Unit in queson, and in Annexure-26, where such
marginisless.
 

 ThefollowingacontobetakenincaseControlUnitdoesnotdisplayresult
duringcounngofvotes:-
a) IncaseanyControlUnitdoesnotdisplayresult,itshouldbekeptback
inside its carrying case and then be kept in the Returning Ocer’s
custody in the counng hall. Counng of votes in other machines
shouldconnueasusual.
75
b) ResultfromsuchControlUnit(s)willnotberetrievedusingAuxiliary
DisplayUnitorPrinter.
c) Aer compleon of counng of votes from all the Control Units,
the VVPAT unit(s) of the respecve polling staon(s) should be
broughttotheCounngTable(s).ThecounngofVVPATpaperslips
oftherespecveVVPATshallbecountedasthecounngprocedure
prescribedbytheCommission.
d) Thereaer, counng of printed paper slips of VVPAT(s) under Rule
56DoftheConductofEleconsRules1961shouldbetakenup,ifany.
A report regarding counng of printed ballot slips of VVPAT is to be sent
tothe Commission in the followingformatthroughChief ElectoralOcer
concernedforinformaon.
S.No. No.&Name
ofAssembly
Constuency
Polling
Staon
No.
Unit
IDof
VVPAT
UnitIDofControlUnitforwhich
VVPATpaperslipscounted
Non-retrievalof
resultfromCU
UnderRule56D
oftheConductof
EleconsRules,1961

Aer announcement of result sheet entries, any candidate, their elecon
agentortheircounngagentsmayapplyinwringtotheROtocountthe
printedVVPATpaperslipsinanyorallpollingstaons.Ifsuchapplicaonis
made,theROshallpassaspeakingorderonwhethertheVVPATpaperslips
should be counted. If the RO decides to allow the counng of the VVPAT
paperslipsofanyorallpolling staons,suchdecisionof the ROmustbe
recordedinwringalongwith the reasonsthereof.TheROshall givedue
consideraontothefollowing:
Whetherthe totalnumberofvotespolled in thatpolling staonis
greaterorlesserthanthemarginofvotesbetweenwinningcandidate
andcandidatemakingtheapplicaon
WhetherEVMhadaproblemandwasreplacedatthatpollingstaon
duringpoll
Whether there was any complaint about VVPAT not prinng or
76
complaints by any voter under Rule 49MA in that polling staon
duringthepoll.

 vericaonofVVPATpaperslipsofrandomlyselected01(one)
pollingstaonshallbeconductedinallfutureGeneralandByeEleconsto
theHouseofthePeopleandStateLegislaveAssemblies, to the
provisions of Rule 56D of theConduct of Elecons Rules, 1961, aer the
compleonofthelastroundofcounngofvotesrecordedintheEVMs,as
under:
a) IncaseofGeneralandByeeleconstoStateLegislaveAssemblies,
vericaonofVVPATpaperslipsofrandomlyselected01(one)polling
staonperAssemblyConstuency.
b) In case of General and Bye elecons to the House of the People,
vericaonofVVPATpaperslipsofrandomlyselected01(one)polling
staonofeachAssemblySegmentoftheParliamentaryConstuency
concerned.
For this mandatory vericaon of VVPAT paper slips, the following
procedureshallbefollowed:
16.6.1. 
ThevericaonofVVPATpaperslipsofrandomlyselected01(one)
polling staon for each Assembly Constuency/Segment shall be
takenupaerthecompleonofthelastroundofcounngofvotes
recordedintheEVMs.
16.6.2. 
The random selecon of 01 (one) polling staon per Assembly
Constuency/SegmentshallbedonebyDrawoflots,bytheReturning
Ocerconcerned,inthepresenceofcandidates/theiragentsandthe
GeneralObserverappointedbytheCommissionforthatConstuency.
16.6.3. 
Thedrawoflotsmustbeconductedimmediatelyaerthecompleon
ofthelastroundofcounngofvotesrecordedintheEVMs(Control
Units) in the designated Counng Hall for the parcular Assembly
Constuency/AssemblySegment.
16.6.4. 
A wrien inmaon regarding the conduct of draw of lots for the
randomseleconof01(one)pollingstaonforvericaonofVVPAT
SlipsshallbegivenbytheReturningOcertotheCandidates/their
eleconagentswellinadvance.
77
16.6.5. 
Thefollowingprocedureshallbefollowedfortheconductofdrawof
lots:
a) Whitecolourpapercardsofpostcardsizeshallbeusedforconducng
thedrawoflots.
b) Totalnumberofsuchpapercardsshouldbeequaltototalnumberof
pollingstaonsintheAssemblyConstuency.
c) The paper cards shall have pre-printed Assembly Constuency/
AssemblySegmentnumber,AC/ASnameanddateofpollingonthe
top,andthepollingstaonnumberinthecentre.Eachdigitofthe
pollingstaonnumbershallbeatleast1"x1"(1inchby1inch)size
andprintedinblackink.
d) Thepapercardstobeusedfordrawoflotsshouldbefour-foldedin
suchawaythatpollingstaonnumberisnotvisible.
e) Eachpapercardshallbeshowntothecandidates/theiragentsbefore
foldinganddroppinginthecontainer.
f) Thepapercardsshallbekeptinthebigcontainerandmustbeshaken
beforepickingup01(one)slipbytheReturningOcer.
16.6.6. 
ThevericaonofVVPATpaperslipsshallbedoneina'VVPATCounng
Booth'(VCB),speciallypreparedforthispurposeinsidetheCounng
Hall. The booth shall be enclosed in a wire mesh just like a bank
cashier’s cabin so that no VVPAT paper slip can be accessed by any
unauthorizedperson.OneoftheCounngtablesintheCounngHall
canbeconvertedintotheVCBandcanbeusedfornormalcounngof
round-wiseEVMvotesbeforethecountofVVPATslipsasperrandom
seleconaerthecompleonofround-wiseEVMcounng.
16.6.7. 
The Vericaon count of the VVPAT paper slips of the randomly
selected 01 (one) polling staon shall be conducted strictly in
accordancewiththeinstruconsoftheCommissiononcounngof
printedpaperslips.
16.6.8. 
TheReturningOcerandAssistantReturningOcer,asthecasemay
be, shall personally supervise the counng of VVPAT paper slips at
thisbooth.TheGeneralObserverconcernedshallensurecloseand
carefulobservaonoftheenreexerciseandensurestrictcompliance
oftheCommission'sinstrucons.
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16.6.9.
Theaboveprocessshallbefullyvideographed.
16.6.10.
Aer compleon of the above process, the Returning Ocer shall
giveacercateintheannexedformat.
16.7.ARRANGEMENTSFORCOUNTINGOFVVPATPAPERSLIPS:
OneoftheCounngTablesinsidetheCounngHallshallbeearmarked
bytheReturningOcerasVVPATCounngBooth(VCB)forCounng
ofVVPATPaperSlips.
VCBshallbeenclosedinawire-meshjustlikeaBankCashierCabin,
so that no VVPAT paper slip can be accessed by any unauthorised
person.
16.8.PROCEDURETOCOUNTVVPATPAPERSLIPS:
 IftheROdecidestocounttheprintedpaperslipsofanypollingstaon(s)on
anappealforrecounngofanypollingstaon(s),thefollowingprocedures
shallbestrictlyfollowed:
:
a) ForkeepingVVPATPaperSlipstaken out fromtheDropBoxof the
VVPAT,asucientlysizedcontainerwithlid,ofdimensions14inchX
10inchX5inch(lengthxbreadthxheight),toeasilyaccommodate
around1400PrintedPaperSlips,shallbekeptonthetableofVCB.This
Containershouldbemadeofsturdytransparentmateriallikeplasc
etc.SampleimagesoftheContainerareavailablein.
b) For keeping VVPAT paper slips of the respecve candidates, a
PigeonholeFrameworkshallbepreparedinadvanceaccordingtothe
numberofcandidatesincludingNOTA,withoneaddionalpigeonhole
forkeepingself-testslipsoftheVVPAT,andshallbekeptonthetable
ofVCB.
i) The minimum number of Pigeonholes in the Framework must be
equaltothenumberofcandidatesplus2(two).
ii) Thesizeofeachcompartment(Pigeonhole)mustbeatleast6inchX
4inchX4inch(lengthxbreadthxheight).
iii) The pigeonhole structure should be made of sturdy transparent
material like plasc etc, having a xed base, to prevent any VVPAT
paperslipfromslippingunderneath.
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iv) ThesymbolofeachcontesngcandidateaspertheBallotPapershould
be axed on the wall of the pigeonhole alloed to the parcular
candidates. The symbol should be printed in black and white on a
plainpaper of minimum size4inchX 3 inch. Sampleimagesofthe
PigeonholeFrameworkareplacedin.
c) At least 100 Rubber bands for making bundles of 25 VVPAT paper
slips.
:
The VVPAT unit(s) of the respecve polling staon(s) should be
broughttotheVCBonebyone,asthecasemaybe.
IncaseaVVPATunitwasreplacedduringpollatthatpollingstaon,
alltheVVPATunitsusedatthatpollingstaonshouldbebroughtto
theVCB.
:
TheprintedpaperslipsshallbetakenoutfromalltheVVPATsused
atthepollingstaon,beforebeginningthecounngofVVPATpaper
slipsforthatpollingstaon.
Before taking out the VVPAT Paper Slips from the drop box, the
addresstag(s)ofthedropboxshallbecrosscheckedtoascertainthat
theVVPATpertainstotherespecvepollingstaon.
a) TheVVPATPaperSlipstakenoutfromtheDropBoxoftheVVPATshall
berstkeptinthecontainerasperspecicaonatstep-1(i).
b) AertakingouttheVVPATpaperslipsfromDropBox,theCounng
Supervisor shall ensure that no VVPAT paper slip is le inside the
VVPATdropboxandshowtheemptydropboxtothecounngagents.
c) IncaseaVVPATunitwasreplaced,itmaysohappenthatanuncut
fullyorparallyVVPATpaperslipishangingandhasnotgotcutand
droppedinthedropboxandsllconnectedtothepaperroll.This
uncutVVPATpaperslipshouldnotbetornandshouldnotbecounted
becausethevoteisnotrecordedelectronicallyintheCUunlessthe
VVPATpaperslipiscut.Insuchanevent,thelastvoterwhoseVVPAT
paperslipwasnotcutwouldhavebeengivenanopportunitytocast
hisvoteaerreplacementofVVPATandtheVVPATpaperslipofthe
votecastbyhimshallbeinthenextVVPATusedinthatpollingstaon.
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d) The drop box of the VVPAT will also have VVPAT slips of self-test
report. These areeasily idened, as theydo not haveeither the
nameorthesymbolofanycandidate.Theseself-testreportslipsare
tobepreservedalongwiththeVVPATpaperslipsaspartoftherecord
buttheyarenottobecounted.
:
i) TheVVPATpaperslipsshouldbesegregatedone-by-oneandputin
respecvepigeonholesaershowingeachsliptotheCounngAgents.
Thepaperslipsbearingself-testsreportshallalsobesegregatedand
putinaseparatepigeonholeprovidedforthepurpose.
ii) Bundles of 25VVPAT paper slips of respecve candidates shall be
preparedforcounngpurpose.
iii) VVPATPaperSlipsshallthenbecountedbythecounngsta.
iv) ResultoftheVVPATpaperslipscountshallbepreparedintheformatas
perandaachedtoPart-IIofForm17-C. 
v) TheresultofthecountofVVPATpaperslipsshallbeannouncedloudly
inthecounnghallandshowntothecounngagents.
vi) AsperRule56D(4)(b)oftheConductofEleconsRules1961,ifthere
is any discrepancy between EVM count and paper slip count, the
paperslipcountshallprevail.Hence,ifthereisdiscrepancybetween
the count of votes displayed on the Control Unit and thecount of
printed-paperslipsinrespectofthatPollingStaon,theresultsheet
willbeamendedaspertheprinted-paperslipscount.
:
Aer compleon of counng of VVPAT paper slips, the bundles of
alltheVVPATPaperSlipsshallbekeptbackintheDropBoxofthe
respecve VVPAT and door of the Drop Box shall be sealed using
addresstags.
The candidate(s)/their agents may also be allowed to ax their
signaturewithpartyabbreviaonontheAddressTags.

Aer compleon of counng, all such Control Units whether result has
beenretrievedfromitornot,theControlUnitshouldbekeptbackinside
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itscarryingcase.Thecarryingcasesshouldthenbesealedonceagain.The
ReturningOcerandObservershouldputtheirsignaturesontheseal.All
candidates and their elecon agents should also be allowed to put their
signatureontheseal.TheControlUnitshould be then keptinthestrong
room(s).
16.10.
STORAGEofEVMs&VVPATsaercounngofvotes:
 Aercompleonofcounngofvotes,EVMsandVVPATscontainingprinted
paperslipsinitsDropbox,shallbekeptinthesamestrongroomwithout
removingPowerPacksofControlUnitsandPowerPacksandPaperRollsof
VVPATs.
The Strong room shall not be opened ll compleon of Elecon
Peon (EP) period i.e. ll EP list is received from respecve High
Court.
Aer compleon of Elecon Peon Period, the exact EP posion
shouldbeascertainedfromHighCourtconcernedbeforeopeningthe
strongroom.
16.11.
STORAGEOFVVPATPAPERSLIPSAFTEREXPIRYOFPERIODOFFILINGOF
ELECTIONPETITIONS:
 AerexpiryoftheperiodoflingofEleconPeons(EPs)i.e.45-daysfrom
thedateofdeclaraonofresult,DistrictEleconOcersshallascertainthe
posionofEPfromtheconcernedHighCourt.Aerobtainingthestatusof
EPfromtheHighCourtconcerned,thefollowingaconshallbetaken:
EveryVVPATusedinaneleconandkeptinthecustodyoftheDistrict
EleconOcershallbekeptuntouched,underthestandardprotocol
ofsecurity,llconrmaonofEleconpeonposionfromtheHigh
CourtconcernedaerthecompleonoftheperiodforlingElecon
Peoni.e.45daysfromthedateofdeclaraonoftheresult.
In the case of elecons, where no elecon peon has been led
ornoothercourtcasesarepending,aertheaforesaidperiod,the
VVPATsshallbeavailableforuseinanyfutureeleconoranyother
purpose like training, awareness, movement, physical vericaon
etc.
BeforemovinganyVVPAT,printedpaperslipsshallbetakenoutfrom
Drop-boxoftheVVPATsasperproceduremenonedbelow:
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ANoceinformingtheopeningofStrongRoomhavingVVPATsshall
be given to the representaves of all polical pares in wring at
least48hoursinadvance,requesngthemtoremainpresentatthe
meofopeningofstrongroom.
The strong room shall be opened in the presence of the District
EleconOcerandrepresentavesofPolicalPares.
RemovethePowerPacksofControlUnitsandPowerPacksandPaper
RollsofVVPATs.
TheVVPATpaperslipsshallbetakenoutfromtheDropBoxofVVPAT
andkeptinapaperenvelopemadeofthickblackpaper,sealedusing
redwaxunderthesealofDEO.Nameofelecon,numberandname
ofassemblyconstuency,parcularsofpollingstaon,uniqueserial
numberoftheVVPATunit,dateofpollanddateofcounngshallbe
menonedontheenvelopecontainingprintedpaperslips.
The envelopes containing VVPAT paper slips shall be kept with all
otherstatutorydocumentsrelangtothateleconllthestatutory
melimit.
Thorough checking of ocials deputed for the removal of VVPAT
paper slips and their sealing must be ensured. All pockets need to
be emped before entering the Sealing Room/Strong Room and
thorough checking of ocials leaving the sealing room should be
doneinaddiontoDFMD/MetalDetectorChecking.
OncetheVVPATpaperslipshavebeentakenout,theVVPATsmustbe
kept in their separatedesignatedwarehouse.VVPAT should not be
keptinthesamewarehousewhereEVMsarestored.
To ensure there is no deliberate aempt to remove any paper-
slips from sealing room/strong room, the enre process should be
conductedunderhighqualityCCTVrecording/videography.
Incaseofanyelecon,the
followingaconshallbetaken:-
If the EVMs or Counng of Votes are the subject of the elecon
peon, the EVMs and VVPATs used at all Polling Staons in the
constuencyconcernedshallconnuetobekeptinthesafecustody
oftheDistrictEleconOcer,llsuchmetheEleconPeonis
nallydisposedofbytheCourts.
83
IftheEVMsorcounngofvotesarenotthesubjectoftheelecon
peon, an applicaon may be moved to the concerned Court for
allowingtheEVMs&VVPATsconcernedtobetakenoutofthestrong
roomforanyfutureelecon oranyother purpose likemovement,
physicalvericaonetc.
IncaseVVPATsnotinvolvedinanyEleconPeon/CourtCaseare
storedwiththeVVPATsinvolvedinEleconPeon/CourtCase,the
followingprocedureshallbefollowedforsegregangtheVVPATsnot
involvedinanyeleconpeon/courtcasefromtheVVPATsinvolved
inEP/Courtcase:-
A Noce informing the opening of Strong Room having VVPATs
involvedin EP/CourtCase as well as non-EPVVPATs, shall begiven
to the peoners/respondents of the EP/Court Case and the
representavesofallpolicalparesinwringatleast72hoursin
advance,requesngthemtoremainpresentatthemeofopening
ofstrongroom.
The strong room shall be opened in the presence of the District
Elecon Ocer, Peoners/respondents of the EP/Court case and
representavesofPolicalPares.
The VVPATs not involved in any EP/Court Case shall be segregated
fromtheVVPATsinvolvedinEP/CourtCasefortakingoutofthestrong
room.AlistofVVPATsbeingsotakenoutfromthestrongroomshall
beprepared.
TheVVPATs,whicharenotinvolvedinanyEP/CourtCase,shouldonly
betakenoutoftheStrongroom.
The procedure menoned above shall be followed for taking-out
power packs, paper rolls and the printed paper slips from all such
VVPATs,followingwhichtheVVPATsareavailableforanysubsequent
deployment/use.
Theenreprocessshallbevideographedandvideographymustbe
preservedforrecord.
*******
84


1. In2007,themanufacturersofEVMsopinedthatthelifeofEVMsisabout
15yearsandthatitisriskytousemachinesolderthan15yearsinfuture
elecons.Thusthemanufacturershaverecommendeddisposaloftheenre
1989-90batchofEVMs.
2. TheCommissionconstutedaTechnicalExpertCommieecomprisingProf.
P.V.Indiresan,Prof.D.T.Shahani&Prof.AKAgarwalatogiveitsopinion on
whetherEVMsof1989-90batchhavebecomeunusable.
3. Technical Expert Commiee recommended the methodology for weeding
out1989-90EVMsfordisposal.
4. ApprovalofGovernmentofIndiaisrequiredfordestruconofEVMs.
5. FollowingguidelinesfordestruconofEVMsshallbefollowed:
a) PCBsshallbeseparatedfromPlascHousings;
b) AllcomponentsmountedonPCBsofCU,BU&Displayshallberemoved/
choppedoandcrushed;
c) ThebarePCBsshallbecutintominimum4piecesandcrushed;
d) Theremainingplascassemblies/housingshallalsobecutinto4to6pieces
andcrushed;
e) Plascwasteshallberecycledtoensurethatenvironmentisprotected;
f) Enreprocessofthedisposal/destruconofEVMsshouldbevideographed;
g) Acopyofthevideoofdisposal/destruconofEVMsshouldbesenttothe
CEOconcernedandECI;
h) Thevideoofdisposal/destruconprocessshallbeviewedatCEOconcerned/
ECItocerfythatnothingadversewasnoced;
i) Theguidelines/safeguardsfordestruconofelectronicitems,issuedbythe
Polluon Control Board/Ministry of Environment and Forests etc. or any
otherlawforthemebeinginforce,shallbefollowed;
j) Itshallbeensuredthate-wastesarechannelizedtoregistereddismantleror
recycler;
85
k) A proper record of each BU and CU destroyed/destructed should be
maintainedinaregister–
i) Serial number/ID of each BU and CU destroyed, date-wise, shall
be entered in a register (separate registers for BU & CU should be
maintained);
ii) On the close of the day a cercate should be recorded aer the
lastentrytotheeectthat“todayon…………(date)…numberofBU/
CU(asthecasemaybe)hasbeendestructedinmypresence”and
shallbesignedbytheocerofthemanufacturernominatedforthe
purposeandsignaturesoftherepresentaveoftheCEOconcerned
ande-wasteagencyshallalsobeobtained.
********
86


 
CentralGovernmentappointedtheElectoralReformsCommieein
January,1990(GoswamiCommiee)consisngofrepresentaveof
severalrecognizedNaonalandStatePares.
TheElectoralReforms Commieefeltthatthemachinesshouldbe
testedby technicalexpertswitha viewtoremovinganydoubts or
misapprehensionsinthemindsofthepublicwithregardtocredibility
of the working of the machines and desired that a clearance from
thetechnicalexpertstotheeectthatdoubtsandmisapprehension
entertained about the credibility of the machines were not well
foundedshouldbeobtained.
An Expert Commiee for the evaluaon of the electronic vong
machines was constuted under the chairmanship of Professor S.
Sampath,ChairmanTechnicalAdvisoryCommiee,DefenceResearch
& Development Organizaon, Ministry of Defence, Professor PV
Indiresan of the IIT Delhi and Dr. Rao C. Kasarabada, Director,
ElectronicResearch&DevelopmentCentre,Trivandrum.
TheCommiee,aerareviewofthematerialpresentedtoit,technical
presentaonbythemanufacturers,meengeleconadministrators
andtechnicalexpertsandalsodetailedlaboratorytests,cametothe
conclusionthattheelectronicvongmachineisasecuresystem.The
expert commiee, therefore, unanimously recommended, in April,
1990,theuseoftheelectronicvongmachineswithoutfurtherloss
ofme.
 
TheCommissionconstutedtheSecondTechnicalExpertCommiee
inDecember,2005comprisingProf.P.V.Indiresan,Prof.D.T.Shahani
ofIITDelhiandProf.A.K.AgarwalaofIITDelhitogettheupgraded
EVMs (Post 2006 EVMs) evaluated before nally accepng these
machinesforactualuseinelecons.
Subsequently, the Commission has been consulng the group of
87
technical experts comprising Prof. (Late) P.V. Indiresan (member of
theearliercommiee),Prof.D.T.ShahaniandProf.A.K.Agarwalaof
IITDelhi,onallEVMrelatedtechnicalissues.
 
In November, 2010, the Commission expanded its Technical Expert
Commieebyincludingtwomoreexperts,namely,ProfD.K.Sharma
fromDepartmentofElectricalEngineering,IITofMumbaiandProf.
RajatMoonafromDepartmentofComputerScienceandEngineering,
IITofKanpur(nowDirectorIIT,Bhilai).
 
i) The Technical Expert Commiee on EVMs/VVPATs provides the
followingassistancetotheCommission:-
ii) OpinionontechnicalissuesofEVMs&VVPATs;
iii) DevelopmentanddesigningofEVMs&VVPATs;
iv) EvaluaonofEVMs&VVPATs.
********
88


EVMTrackingentryapplicaonisdevelopedforcreangacentralizeddatabaseof
all36StatesandUTsofIndia.ItallowsTrackingofControlUnits,BallongUnits
andVVPATswiththeirlocaons.Thisapplicaonhasthefacilitytocreateandenter
thewarehousedetailsinwhichthestockentryofCUs,BUsandVVPATscouldbe
donebyWarehouseIn-charge.TransferofCUs,BUsandVVPATsonceenteredwill
notrequirere-entryofdata.ItalsokeepsthecheckofduplicateentryofCUs,BUs
andVVPATsinallthewarehousesacrossthecountry.
This Applicaon has to be used at CEO/DEO/Warehouse In-charge / ECI Admin
levels.
DataEntryofCU/BU/VVPATistobemadeinspecicwarehouses.TheWarehouse
iscreatedbytheDEOprovidingall therelevantdetails.OncetheWarehouseis
created,theDEOcreatestheloginidofthewarehousein-charge.DataEntryof
CU/BU/VVPATisdoneintheMasterStockRegisterwhichisaccessibletoboththe
DEOandthewarehousein-charge.ThedataentryofCU/BU/VVPATcanbedone
onlyattheWarehouseIn-chargelevel.
DetailsofallEVMsinthedistrictmustbeenteredinMasterStockRegister(MSR).
MSRmustbemaintainedwarehouse-wiseforeverydistrictintheformatprovided
in the MSR Screen. Every CU, BU and VVPAT in the district whether in working
condionornotmustbeenteredintheMSR.
TransferofCU,BUandVVPATattheStatelevel,Districtlevelandthewarehouse
levelcanbeiniatedbythe authorizedpersonnel.Supply ordersaregenerated
for each transfer; the source and desnaon enes can access the order and
proceedwiththeoperaon.Alltheocialsassisnginthispurposemustadhere
totheprocesstoaccomplishsuccessfultransferofbothCU,BUandVVPAT.
Forthepurposeofelecons,theCU,BUandVVPATsenttothepollingstaonsare
randomizedattwo dierentlevels–DEOlevelSTRONGROOMandWarehouse
In-charge(STRONGROOMAC)level.TheCUs/Bus/VVPATswhichareworkingand
successfullypassboththerstlevelandsecondlevelrandomizaonwillbesent
tothepollingstaons.
ForphysicalvericaonofCU/BU/VVPATunitinwarehousewiththedigitaldata
entryinstockofwarehouseinETS,theCommissiongeneratesphysicalvericaon
89
cycle in ETS from me to me.  Warehousestocks are updated accordingly by
warehousein-charge.
VariousMIS(ManagementInformaonService)reportsaremadeavailableinthe
ETSforitsusersatthelevelofECIAdmin/CEO/DEO/WI/Manufacturertocheckthe
statusofworkallocatedandtoidenfypendingissues.
FordetailedapplicaonkindlyseeUserManualforETSavailableatETSloginpage

AndroidbasedMobileApplicaonsinterfacedwiththeETS,developedforStock-
Taking, FLC-Shiing-Randomizaon and Physical Vericaon.  These Mobile
ApplicaonscanworkinoinemodealsoforcapturingthedataofEVMs&VVPAT
foruploadingthesameintotheEVMTrackingSoware.However,theyneednet-
connecvity(Wi-Fiordataconnecon)tologinandtouploadthecaptureddata.
UserscandownloadandinstallthemobileappavailableonDownloadManager
pageoftheEleconCommissionofIndia’sweb-site(URL:hp://eciocers.nic.in/
Login/Default.aspx).TheseappsuseGoogleservices,therefore,usersarerequired
toupdategoogleservices,ifnotalreadyupdated,inthemobilephonetobeused.
90



CommonAddressTagforBU/CU/VVPAT
91
 

SealingofplasccabinetofControlUnitofEVMswithpinkpaperseal:
AerFirstLevelCheckingoftheEVMs,theControlUnitissealedwiththe‘PinkPaper
Seal’suppliedbytheNasikSecurityPressinthepresenceoftherepresentaves
ofthePolicalParespresentatthemeofFLC.ThePinkPaperSealisaxed
ontheporonbetweentheCandidateSetSeconandtheResultSeconofthe
ControlUnit.

a) SealingofballotpaperscreenofBUwiththreadandaddresstag
Aertheballotpaperisrmlyxedandtheballotpaperscreenispressedton
theuppersideofthetopcover.Thescreenistobesealedontheinnersideofthe
topcover.Thisisdonebypassingthethreadthroughthetwoholesonthescreen
speciallyprovidedforthepurposeusingaddresstagshowingtheparcularsofthe
eleconwiththesealoftheReturningOcer.
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b) SealingofplasccabinetofBUwiththreadandaddresstag
Aerunmaskingrequirednumberofcandidatebuons,theuppercoveroftheBU
issealedbypassingathreadthroughtheholesprovidedonthetopandboom
endatrightsideusingaddresstagsshowingtheparcularsoftheeleconwiththe
sealoftheReturningOcer.
c) SealingofplasccabinetofBUwithpinkpaperseal:
In addion, the BU is sealed with a special “pink paper seal” supplied by India
SecurityPress,Nasik,inthepresenceofcandidatesortheirrepresentavesatthe
meofpreparaonofEVMs.Pinkpapersealisxedatthelowermostporonof
theBUinsuchamannerthatnocandidate’sbuonorcandidate’snameorsymbol
ishiddenbytheseal.
d) SealingofCandidateSetSeconofCUwiththread&addresstag
SealingofinnercoverofCandidateSetSecon
93
SealingofoutercoverofCandidateSetSecon
AerCandidateset,innerandoutercoversoftheCandidateSetSeconofCUare
sealedbypassingathreadthroughholeprovidedonthelesideusingaddress
tagsshowingtheparcularsoftheeleconwiththesealoftheReturningOcer.


Aermockpollandclearingmockpolldata,switchothepowerswitchofControl
UnitforsealingResultSeconoftheCU.
(a) FixingofGreenPaperSealandclosingofinnercompartment
Greenpapersealhastobepassedthroughtheframeprovidedforthepurposeon
theinnersideofthedooroftheinnercompartmentoftheResultSecon.Aer
xingtheseal,thedooroftheinnercompartmentistobeclosedinsuchamanner
thatthetwoendsofthepapersealprojectoutwardsfromthesidesoftheinner
compartment.
94
(b) Sealingofinnerdoorcompartment(innerResultSecon)withSpecialTag
InnerdooroftheResultSeconissealedbypassingathreadthroughholeprovided
onthelesideusingSpecialTagshowingtheparcularsoftheeleconwiththe
sealofthePresidingOcer.
(c) SealingofouterdoorResultSeconofCUwiththreadsealusingAddressTag
andOuterPaperStripSeal
TheoutercoveroftheResultSeconoftheCUhastobepressedforclosingthis
secon.TheoutercoveroftheResultseconissealedbypassingathreadthrough
hole provided on the le side using Address Tag showing the parculars of the
eleconwiththesealofthePresidingOcer.
Thereaer,OuterPaperStripSeal(ABCDseal)isusedtogetgluedtotheGreen
paperseal.
95
(d) SealingofcarryingcaseofEVM
Aercompleonofpoll,BUandCUarekeptintherespecvecarryingcase.The
carryingcasesaresealedbypassingathreadthroughholesprovidedusingAddress
TagsshowingtheparcularsoftheeleconwiththesealofthePresidingOcer.

Aercompleonofcounng,allControlUnits,whetherresultwasretrievedfrom
itornot,iskeptbackinsideitscarryingcase.Thecarryingcasesarethensealed
onceagainbypassingathreadthroughholeprovidedonthecarryingcasesusing
AddressTagshowingtheparcularsoftheeleconwiththesealoftheReturning
Ocer.

 PREPARATION
OF VVPAT
96
AerinstallaonofpaperrollinthepaperrollcompartmentofVVPAT,thelatches
ofPaperRollCompartmentisbypassingathreadthroughholesprovidedonthe
latchesusingAddressTagshowingtheparcularsoftheeleconwiththesealof
theReturningOcer.
(SwitchingOFFofControlUnitbeforesealingofpaperrollcompartmentshould
beensured)

 

Aerthemockpoll,PresidingOcerremovesalltheprintedpaper(ballot)slips
fromthe dropboxin theVVPATunit. The printedpaper slips of themockpoll,
shouldbestampedontheirbacksidewithrubberstamphavinginscripon“MOCK
POLLSLIP’beforekeepingandsealingtheseprintedpaperslipsinthethickblack
envelopesuppliedforthe purpose. The envelopeis sealedwiththesealof the
presidingocer.
Theenvelopeshallthenbekeptinthespecialplascboxprovidedforthepurpose.
TheplascboxissealedwithaPinkPaperSealplacedallaroundinsuchamanner
thatopeningoftheboxshallnotbepossiblewithoutbreakingtheseal.
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 
Thereaer,thelowerpartoftheVVPATunit,i.e.dropbox,issealedwiththethread
andAddressTagbeforeactualpollstarts.
 
Aercompleonofpoll,VVPAT&VSDUarekeptinthecarryingcase.Thecarrying
case is sealed by using thread and Address Tag showing the parculars of the
eleconwiththesealofthePresidingOcer.
98
CHAPTER

 ThedefecveEVMsaresenttothefactoryoftheconcernedmanufacturers
of the EVMs, namely, BEL & ECIL or collected at a centralized locaon in
theStateHQsconcernedfornecessaryrepairs.Followingprotocolistobe
strictlyfollowedfordefecveEVMs:-
21.1.1. DuringFirstLevelChecking ofEVMs/VVPATs, no electronicrepair
istobecarriedout.However,mechanicalrepairsi.e.replacement
of broken/damaged switches, buons, latches, hood, cable, RTC
cell,spindle etc.forwhichnosolderingis requiredshallbedone
duringFLC.Forthispurpose,engineersdeputedforFLCshallhave
adequate number of spares with them for mechanical repairs of
EVMs/VVPATs. Further the engineers deputed for FLC of EVMs/
VVPATsshallalsomaintainlistofthedefecveunits(containingUnit
IDofBU/CU/VVPATwithdefectobserved).Repairingofdefecve
EVMs shall only be done aer counng is over, at a centralized
locaonintheState.
21.1.2. EVMs/VVPATs found defecve during FLC shall be sent to the
manufacturersforrepairwithinofcompleonofFLCinthat
district.TheCEOshallcoordinateandclubdefecveEVMs/VVPATs
ofmulpledistrictsfordespatchingtothefactory.
21.1.3. No EVMs/VVPATs, whether defecve or defect-free, shall be
transportedduringtheperiodfromcommencementofCandidate
SengtotheCounngdayexcepttheEVMs/VVPATsrequiredtobe
transportedforuseinpollsinsubsequentphases.Insuchcase,the
policalpares/candidatesshallbeinformedinwringconveying
thepurposeofshiingofsuchEVMs/VVPATs.
21.1.4. AllDefecveEVMs/VVPATsnotusedinthepollshallbestoredin
a separate room/warehouses, preferably in a separate campus,
if possible, and shall never be stored along with  /
VVPATs.
21.1.5. For EVMs found defecve during Preparaon, mock poll, poll,
counngofvotes,thefollowingprocedureshallbefollowed:-
99
a) EVMs/VVPATs found defecve during candidate seng or mock-
pollonpolldayshallbestoredinaseparatewarehouse,however,
EVMs/VVPATs found defecve aer mock-poll (i.e. during actual
poll)onpoll-dayshallbestoredalongwithpolledEVMs/VVPATs.
b)  Immediatelyaercompleonofmandatoryperiodof45daysfrom
the date of declaraon of the result for ling Elecon Peons,
the details of the Elecon Peon/Court Cases pertaining to the
eleconshallbeobtainedfromtheconcernedHighCourt/Court.
c)  AerascertainingtheposionofEP/courtcasesfromtheconcerned
court,within10daysallthedefecveEVMs/VVPAT(alongwithlist
containinguniqueIDofBU/CU/VVPAT),whicharenotinvolvedin
anyEP/courtcases,shallimmediatelybegotrepaired.
d) Strong Room shall not be opened in which the defecve EVMs/
VVPATpertainingtoanyEP/courtcasearekept.Aernaldisposal
oftheEP/Courtcase.ThedefecveEVMsshallbesentforrepairs
totherespecvefactorieswithinonemonth.
21.1.6. Aerrepairsarecarriedout, the tesngprotocolforall repaired
machinesshallbeexactlythesameasfornewEVMs/VVPATs.
21.1.7. Themanufacturersshallnot returntherepairedEVMs/VVPATsto
therespecveState/UT.TheserepairedEVMs/VVPATsshallbekept
inthefactory.CEOs/DEOsarenotrequiredtotakebacktheEVMs/
VVPATssenttothefactoryforrepairs.
.
21.1.8. ThemanufacturerswillfurnishareportoftherepairedEVM/VVPAT
totheCommission.
21.1.9. AstheEVMs/VVPATs,repairedatfactory,willnotbereturnedtothe
senderState/UT,therefore,shiingofthesedefecveEVMs/VVPATs
tothemanufacturersisexplicitlyrequiredtobedonethroughETS
bytheconcernedChiefElectoralOceroftheconcernedState/UT,
toensurethatEVM/VVPATs,thatarenotavailableintheWarehouse
oftheState/UT,donotreectintheirWarehouseandalsotoavoid
formaonofconictintheETS.
100
NoelectronicrepairtobedoneduringFLC.
OnlymechanicalrepairscanbedoneduringFLC.
ShiingofdefecveEVMs/VVPATstothemanufacturersisexplicitlytobedone
throughETSbytheState/UT,toensurethatEVM/VVPATs,thatarenotavailable
intheWarehouseoftheState/UT,donotreectintheirWarehouseandalsoto
avoidformaonofconictintheETS.
21.2 POST ELECTION REPAIRS:  Aer elecon all the defecve EVMs & VVPATs
shallbesenttotherespecvefactoryforrepairs.
101


 
 ShriACJoseledaneleconpeonbeforetheKeralaHighCourt.Themain
pleaofthepeonerwasthattheElectronicVongMachineshadbeenused
inParurAssemblyConstuencyinKeralainMay1982withouttheauthority
oflawinthe1951Actandtherulesmadethereunder.
The Kerala High Court dismissed the elecon peon on 12.10.1982,
upholdingtheuseofthemachinesbytheEleconCommissioninexerciseof
itsinherentpowersunderArcle324.
 ShriACJoseledanappealbeforetheHon’bleSupremeCourt(AC Jose
VsSivanPillaiandOrsAIR1984SC921).TheSupremeCourtstruckdown
the use of these machines in Parur Assembly Constuency in Kerala on
5th March, 1984. The Supreme Court held that the law provided for the
conductofeleconbyusingBallotpapersandBallotboxesandtheElecon
Commission could not use vong machines in the absence of statutory
provisionsprovidingfortheiruse.
    
          

 TheissuesofunconstuonaluseofEVMsandpossibletamperingofEVM
have been raised before the Madras High Court. The Madras High Court
didnotacceptthoseallegaonsandcontenonsanddismissedallthewrit
peonson10.04.2001.
 TheHon’bleMadrasHighCourtalsocategoricallyruledoutanyquesonof
tamperingoftheEVMsandalsomadethefollowingobservaons:
“ Thereisalsonoquesonofintroducinganyvirusorbugsforthereasonthat
theEVMs cannotbecomparedtopersonal computers.Theprogramming
incomputers,assuggested,hasnobearingwiththeEVMs.Thecomputer
would have inherent limitaons having connecons through Internet and
bytheirverydesign,theymayallowthealteraonoftheprogrammebut
the EVMs are independent units and the programme in EVM is enrely a
dierentsystem.”
102
 ThepeonerstookthemaertotheHon’bleSupremeCourt(AllIndiaAnna
DravidaMunnetraKazhagam,etc.VsChiefEleconCommissionerofIndia
andOrs2002UJ(1)387,202(TL/S)36062).TheSupremeCourtdismissed
thespecialleavepeonon23.04.2001,agreeingwiththedecisionofthe
highcourtthattheimpugnedSecon61Awasvalid.
 

In these cases, it was contended that the Elecon Commission could use
electronicvongmachinesunderSecon61Aonlyinselectedconstuencies
havingregardtothecircumstancesofeachcase,andnotrounelyinallthe
assemblyconstuenciesinastate.Theabovepeonsweredismissedby
theDelhiHighCourton23.5.2005.
            

 TheissueofpossibletamperingofEVMhasbeenraisedbeforetheKarnataka
High Court. Aer going into all aspects of the technological soundness
andtheadministravemeasuresinvolvedintheuseofEVMsatelecons
inIndia,haveheldthattheEVMsinIndiaarecredible,reliableandtotally
tamperproof.TheHon’bleKarnatakaHighCourtheldthat‘Thisinvenonis
undoubtedlyagreatachievementintheelectronicandcomputertechnology
andanaonalpride’.
 BombayHighCourt(NagpurBench)(BanwarilalPurohitVsVilasMuemwar
andOrsEleconPeonNo.1of2004)
The issue of possible tampering of EVM has also been raised before the
BombayHighCourt(NagpurBench).TheHon’bleBombayHighCourt(Nagpur
Bench),examinedtheexpertsproducedbythepeoneraswitnessbefore
theHighCourt.TheorderoftheHon’bleHighCourtrecordsthatthetwo
experts produced as witnesses admied that the hardware and soware
usedintheEVMsaremaersnotknowntopublicatlarge,orevenexperts
includingthewitnesses,andtheyadmiedthattheinformaonordatain
theEVMsisnotmadeopenunauthorisedly.
 KeralaHighCourt(TAAhammedKabeerVsAAAzeezandOrsEleconPeon
No.4of2001)
 InoneofthecasesasdirectedbytheHon’bleHighCourtofKeralainElecon
103
Peon No.4/2001, the process of detecng votes cast by impersonators
wascarriedoutbeforetheHon’bleCourtinthecaseofGeneralEleconfrom
125-EvavipuramAssemblyConstuencyinKeralain2001.TheHighCourtin
itsorderdated6.2.2002hadrecordeditsappreciaonontheeciencyof
themechanism.ThejudgmentoftheKeralaHighCourtinthesaidElecon
PeonwasupheldbytheHon’bleSupremeCourtinCivilAppeal(AIR2003
SC2271).
           

 “Primafacie,itisevidentfromacombinedreadingoftheenrepressrelease
of ECI that this system is seal proof.  The EVMs are not hackable.  There
cannotbeanymanipulaonatmanufacturingstage.Theresultscannotbe
alteredbyacvangaTrojanHorsethroughasequenceofkeypresses.The
ECI-EVMscannotbephysicallytamperedwith.TheEVMsusesomeofthe
microcontrollers,dynamiccodingofkeycodes,dateandmestampingof
eachandeverykeypressetc.TheseEVMsalsocannotbetamperedwith
duringthe courseof transportaonor atthe placeof storage. Thereare
checksandbalancestoensuretamper-proongofEVMs”.
8. whiledecidingthe
bunchofPeonson100%useofVVPAT,observedthat
 “theabovestatementoftheEleconCommissionofIndiacontainedinthe
counteradavitacknowledges,thatallprayersmadeinthegroupofpeons,
standfullledandsased.Itisalsoapparent,thattheGovernmentofIndia
hassanconedfundsforthepurchaseoftheVVPATunits,neededduringthe
courseoftheelecons,whicharetotakeplaceintheimmediatefuture.The
posionexpressedleavesnoroomforanydoubt,thatallfutureelecons
willbeheldbyusingVVPAT.Theabovestanceisreiteratedduringthecourse
ofhearingbythelearnedcounselrepresenngtheEleconCommissionof
India.
 Inviewoftheabove,weareoftheconsideredviewthatthepresentbunch
ofmaersdoesnotrequireanyfurtheradjudicaonatourhands.Allthe
casesclubbedtogether,areaccordinglydisposedofintermsofthecounter
adavit led by the Elecon Commission of India, duly supported by the
GovernmentofIndia”.
104

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113

114

115

e Keys shall be in custody of DEO & Dy. DEO, each
having one key.
116

own seals on locks
117

118

119
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

129

ss
 
Ensure paper rollknob is locked
(horizontal posion) before
transportaon.
InPollingStaon,unlockthepaperroll
knob(vercalposion).
Don’t switch ON CU before VVPAT
paperrollknobisinunlockedcondion
(vercalposion).
Posion BU and VVPAT in Vong
Compartment.  Posion CU and VSDU
onPO’sTable
Establishrightconneconbyfollowing
thecolorscheme.
Don’t allow direct light or high power
illuminaonoverVVPAT.
Ensure the connectors are inserted
properly.
Don’t insert/remove cables without
pressingtheclipsontheconnectors.
Switch ‘ON’ CU, the Power-On Green
LED on VVPAT glows and VVPAT prints
all7slips.
Don’t switch OFF CU unless all 7 slips
areprintedandcut.
Check for any “PRINTER ERROR”
message on VSDU.  Inform Sectoral
Ocer(SO)insuchcase.
Don’tstartpollingincaseof“PRINTER
ERROR”messageonVSDU.
Always switch OFF CU before making
any connecon or disconnecon
includingchangeofbaery.
Don’t operate the paper roll knob ll
theendofthepoll.
NOTE:InM3VVPATthereisnoVSDU.VVPATrelatedmessagesaredisplayedon
theCU’sDisplay.
130


 
 Non-UpdaonofFLC-OKorFLC-RejectstatusinETSthroughMobile-
Appondaytodaybasis.
 FLCofVVPATswithoutusingDummyBallotPaperonBU.
Non-Uploadingof16candidates(includingNOTA)DummySymbolsin
the1%VVPATsusedfortesngwith4-BUshaving64dummysymbols
(includingNOTA)
 IrregularityonuseofDummySymbols
 
Non-checking of candidate symbols uploaded in VVPAT during
commissioning.
IncaseofM3EVMs,M3VVPATsshouldbeconnectedatthemeof
commissioningoftheEVMsotherwiseEVMwillnotacceptaVVPAT
atalaterstage.
 
Lock paper roll when transporng the VVPAT from one place to
another
4. Dispersal
DonotswitchontheVVPATinbroaddaylightatthemeofdispersal
astheVVPATmaygointoerrormode.
 
 NotpressingtheCLOSEbuonofCUaermock-poll.
Notmatchingthemock-pollresultoftheCUwiththeVVPATPaper
Slips.
 Notremovingthemock-pollpaperslipsfromVVPAT
 Non-deleonofmock-polldatafromtheControlUnit.
131
When seng up the EVMs and VVPATs in the polling staon, the
VVPATshouldbeposionedsoastoavoiddirectlightfromfallingon
it.
DonotposiontheVVPATnearanopenwindowordirectlyundera
bulborhalogenlamp.
 
Conducngmockpoll,incaseofreplacementofVVPATonly.Mockpoll
isnotrequiredtobeconductedincaseofonlyVVPATreplacement.
Incaseofnon-funconingofCU orBUreplacingonlyCUorBU.In
suchcasebothBUandCUalongwithVVPATshallbereplaced.
 Non-pressingofCLOSEBuonaercompleonofPoll.
 DamaginganysealofBU/CU/VVPAT.
 
DonotrepeatedlyswitchONandOFFtheVVPATasitwilldepletethe
baeryaswellaspaperroll.
Switch OFF the CU when connecng or disconnecng the EVMs/
VVPATsanddonotpullthecablefordisconnecng.
In case of M3 VVPAT, there is no VSDU and VVPAT status will be
displayedontheCUDisplayPenal.
132
Annexure-1


NameofState/UnionTerritory:


Address of Warehouse:

CU ID No.

Manufacturer

Manufacture
Date of Receipt
Receipt Challan
No.
Date on receipt
challan


receiver

receiver




24 5 6 8 


BU ID No


Date of Receipt
Receipt Challan No.
Date on receipt challan

of receiver




24568 
133
Annexure-2

NameofState/UnionTerritory:



No. of Control Units in


No. of Control Units

No. of Control Units not in










BEL ECIL BEL ECIL BEL ECIL BEL ECIL BEL ECIL BEL ECIL
Note-ReasonsforEVMnotavailableinwarehouseshallbeclearlymenonedin
thereport.
(SignatureofDistrictEleconOcer)
134
Annexure-3

NameofState/UnionTerritory:



No. of Control Units in

No. of Control Units

FLC done
No. of Control Units

FLC






FLC done


FLC
BEL ECIL BEL ECIL BEL ECIL BEL ECIL BEL ECIL BEL ECIL
Note-ReasonsforEVMnotavailableinwarehouseshallbeclearlymenonedin
thereport.
135
Annexure-4
(AendanceRegisterforPolicalPares-FLCHall)


Address of FLC hall:
Date:……………………….
 











date




Note:Iftherepresentaveofapartyisabsenttheproofofdueserviceofnoceto
thepartyshouldbepastedintheregister.


136
Annexure-5
(CercaonofEVMsbyBEL/ECIL)


Address of hall:
Date:
ItisceredthattestsprescribedbyBEL/ECILtoascertainthatallcomponents
areoriginalwerecarriedoutontheEVMslistedbelowon……………...(date).Onthe
basisofthesetestsitisceredthatallcomponentsoftheEVMslistedbeloware
original.
.  No.
(Name&signatureofBEL/ECILengineerswithIDNo.)



137
Annexure-6

OFM-2EVMs&VVPATs
 
a) DecoderPrinterwithaccessories;
b) ScrewDrivers,forceps,nosepliers;
c) Mul-meter;
d) VVPATAC-DCadapter;
e) SymbolloadingjigwithAccessories(Powercable,9pinsymbolloading
cableand 9 pin PC interfacecable);orPC/Laptopwith preloaded
symbolloadingapplicaon;and
f) RTCJigforclockseng;
 
a) Flaps;
b) CloseCaps;
c) Latches;
d) Cables(BU,VVPAT&VSDU);
e) Buons(Ballot,Total,Close,Result,Clear&Candidate);
f) [sparepartsmenonedabove(a)to(e)shouldbe20%ofthenumber
ofEVMs/VVPATstobetested]
g) HighResoluonPhotographsofcomponentsideofCU-PCBandBU-
PCB;
h) FLCSckers{FLC-OK(Green),FLC-Failed(Red)};
i) Temperseals;
j) VVPAT Sckers (Transportaon, Working and Unlock before Switch
ON);
k) CoinCells(RTCBaery);and
l) BallotPaperofDummysymbols;
138

 :Removalofaddresstags,BallotPapers,cleaning
ofsuperscriponsonCU&BU,clearingofearlierpolldata,dusngofCU&
BUetc.underclosesupervisionofFLCin-chargeandEngineersdeputedby
manufacturers.
 
a) Open Carrying cases of Control Unit (CU) and Ballot Unit (BU) and
takeouttheunits.Removealltags,pinkpaperseal,FLCsckers,wax
sealsandBallotpapers.
b) Physically check all buons, toggle switch, connectors, and doors,
sealing provisions, display and plasc body of CU for damage /
breakage. Replace the broken items with good items wherever
possibleanddiscardothers.
c) Similarly,checkconnecngcable,connector, latches,and apsand
slideSwitchandplascbodyofBUfordamage/breakage.Replace
the broken items with good items wherever possible and discard
others.
d) Open cabinet of CU and carryout visual inspecon of PCB. Hidden
componentsorunauthorizedrework,ifany,CUshouldbediscarded
andkeptaside.
e) Similarly,opencabinetofBUandcarryoutvisualinspeconofplasc
partsandotherandPCBforanydamage,reworketc.andreplacethe
damagedoneiffeasible.Ifanyrework,BUshouldbediscardedand
keptaside.
f) CheckthenumberplateandnumbersckerpastedonthebackofCU
andBUforanymismatch.
g) Recordtheserialnumbersanddefectsofrejectedunits.
 
a) InstallaonofPowerPack
i) OpenBaerycompartmentofCU
ii) InsertpowerpackofEVM
139
iii) AlignpowerpackconnectorwithpluginCU,Presspowerpack
aerinseron
iv) CloseBaerycompartment
b) CableConnecons
i) OpenconnectorcompartmentofCU
ii) ConnectBUcabletoBUinterfaceconnectorofControlUnit
iii SetslideswitchposionofBUto1.Unmaskall16buonsin
BU.
c) PowerONDisplaySequence
i) SwitchONEVM.
ii) ObservePowerONLEDglowinggreeninCU.
iii) ObservethefollowingseriesofdisplaymessagesonCUduring
PowerON
EVMISON
 DATEandTIME
 SLNOoftheControlUnit
 NOOFCANDIDATES
 BATTERYSTATUS

that CU.
a) Ifoneormoresegmentsaremissingorextrasegmentisdisplayed.
b) CheckBeepaerSwitchON.Incaseofnobeeporconnuousbeep.
c) IfGreenLEDisnotglowingduringPowerON.
d) ChecktheserialnumberdisplayedinCU.Ifitisnotmatchingwiththe
numbergivenonthenumberplateandNumbersckerpastedonthe
backofCU.
e) ChecktheDateandTimeonCUdisplay.IncaseofwrongDateand
Time,setDateandTimewiththehelpofmesetjigasdetailedin
para-17.
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 
a) OpentheouterdoorofResultcompartmentandthenopentheinnerdoor.
PressCLEARbuontodeleteanyvotesstoredinCU.
b) IfCUdisplaysINVALID,pressRESULTbuon.IfitslldisplaysINVALID,
pressCLOSEbuon.
c) Once CLOSE display sequence is completed, press RESULT buon
and wait ll CU displays “End”. Press CLEAR buon. During Clear
operaon,observeCUdisplays“0”votesforallcandidates.
 
a) Press CANDIDATE SET buon for seng candidates. Observe “SET
CANDIDATE–“displayinCU.Press16thbuoninBUtosetthenumber
ofCandidatesto16.
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BALLOT OPERATION
a) PressBALLOTbuoninCU.BUSYLEDinCUshallglowREDandREADY
LEDinBUshallglowGREEN.
b) Press rst candidate buon in BU. Observe LED by the side of the
buonglowRED.
c) Beepshallbeheard.ObserveBusyLEDinCUandREADYLEDinBU
goesOFF.
d) Followtheinstrucons“a”to“c”bycasngvotesforall16candidates
inBU.
e) PressTOTAL.Checknumberofcandidates16andtotalvotes16inCU
display.
 
 PressCLOSEbuon.ObserveCUdisplays“POLLCLOSED”.
 
 PressRESULTbuonandobservethevotescastagainsteachcandidate.
 
 PressCLEARbuonandwaitllCUdisplays“0”votesforallthecandidates.
PressTOTALtoconrmTotalVotes0.
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 
 Rejecttheunitsfounddefecveduringthefunconalitycheck.
 Idenfythedefectsandisolatethem.
 Recordtheserialnumbersanddefectsofrejectedunits.
 MOCKPOLLONEVMsRANDOMLYSELECTEDBYPOLITICALPARTIES
 1200votesin1%EVMs,
 1000votesin2%EVMs;and
 500votesin2%EVMs
 shallbedoneandaprintoutoftheresults,aswellassequenalprint-out
ofeveryvotepolled,shallbetakenoutandshowntotherepresentavesof
policalpares.
 
 SealtheControlUnitwithPinkPapersealandaxsignatureofEngineerand
representaveofDEO.TheSl.No.ofPinkPaperSealistoberecordedalong
withSl.No.ofCUinaRegister.
 
a) PastetheFLC-OK(Green)sckeronbacksideofCUandBU.
RecordtheSerial Number of ControlUnit andBallotUnitandax
signatureonFLCscker.
b) NotedowntotalnumbersofCUsandBUsthatareacceptedaerFLC
intheprescribedformat.
c) PastetheFLC-FAILED(Red)sckeronbacksideofCUand
BU.RecordtheSerialNumberofControlUnitandBallotUnitandax
signatureonFLCscker.
d) ConsolidateSerialnumbersofdefecveunitsanddefectsobservedin
theprescribedformat.SubmitacopyofthesametoFLCIn-charge.
 
a) RemovetopcoverofCU,replacetheoldRTCcellwithnewoneand
re-xthecabinet.
143
b) Putthetampersckeron fourscrewsontopside. Fix theRTCcell
sckeronthebackoftheControlUnit.
c) Note down total number of Control Units in which RTC cells were
replacedintheprescribedformat.
TamperScker   RTCcellscker
 
a) Bring the CU to “Result” mode. Hold simultaneously “Result” and
“Print”buonsandswitchONCU.CUshalldisplay“SetTime”mode.
b) ConnecttheTimeSetJigwithCUandpress“Set”buonintheTime
SetJig.CurrentDateandTimeissetinCU.
c) SwitchOFFCU.Again,switchONandconrmtheDateandTime.
144
 
 PutallUnitsinrespecvecarryingcasesand,inturn,inbulkcarryingcases
and releases them for proper storage. Ensure that the rejected Units are
idenedwithsuitablesckersandkeptseparately.

VVPATANDITSACCESSORIES
 
a) Open the Ballot Slip Compartment and check for any ballot slips
inside.Ifanyoldprintedslipswitheleconsymbolsisfound,report
totheFLCIn-chargeimmediately.
145
b) Remove previously placed address tag and FLC sckers from the
VVPAT.
c) Remove any paper slips from the VVPAT, if found inside.  Remove
baery pack from the baery compartment, if any, present in the
VVPAT.
d) Perform mechanical inspecon by checking connector and baery
compartment, LOCK-UNLOCK switch and latching/Unlatching of
latches.
 
a) Open Baery Compartment of VVPAT by pressing both the latches
togetherandpullingthedooroutwards.
b) ObservetheBaeryPlugpresentinsideBaerycompartment.
c) InserttheVVPATBaerybypluggingintothebaeryplug.
d) ClosethebaeryCompartmentdoor.
 
a) OpenthePaperRollcompartmentbyopeningthesidelatchesand
byliingthetopcover.ObservethePaperRollCompartmentwhich
holdsthePaperroll.
b) Remove “Spindle” from its posion by pulling towards upward
direcon.
c) Insert“Spindle”into“ThermalPaperRoll”.
d) Place the “Thermal Paper Roll” with “Spindle” into its posion (i.e
PaperRollcompartment)andpressittowardsdown.
e) Insert “Thermal Paper Roll” edge into the “Guide -Paper Entry”.
Ensure that the plain paper should be on the top surface and the
printedbandshouldbeonthelowerSurfaceofthePaper.
f) Move the paper into the slot by rotang the paper feed knob
clockwise.
146
PaperRollInstallaonsteps
 
Dummy symbols prescribed for FLC and demonstraon purpose shall be
loadedusingLaptop/Computer/SymbolLoadingJigfor16candidatebuons.
 
a) OpenconnectorcompartmentofVVPAT.
b) ConnectcablefromBallotUnittoBUInterfaceconnectormatching
thecolouredlatches(red/blackconnector).
c) ConnectcablefromVSDUtoVSDUinterfaceconnectormatchingthe
colouredlatches(blue/greenconnector).
d) Connect VVPAT cable to BU interface connector of Control Unit
matchingthecolouredlatches(red/blackconnector).
147
 
 
 1BU,VSDUandCUareneeded.
The VVPAT should be inialized and loaded with 16 dummy-
symbols.
 MakeconneconsandoperatetheVVPAT.
 Thetesthastobeperformedunderstandardcondionswhere
anewbaery(Voltage>22V)andanewpaperrollareused.
i) Ensure Lock-Unlock switch at the back-side of VVPAT is in unlock
(Vercal)posion.
ii) SwitchontheCU.
iii) AertheVVPATisturnedon,thePOSTslipandveself-diagnoscs
reportsareprinted.Inthiscase,theDiagnoscsreportshouldonlybe
checkedforPASS/FAILstatusasself-diagnoscstestwouldhavebeen
carriedoutontheseunits.
iv) Beforeproceedingformock-poll,checkthestatusofeachsensorin
thediagnoscsreports.Proceedtonextsteponlyifthestatusofeach
sensorisshownas“PASS”inthediagnoscsreport.
v) IfthestatusofBaeryinBaeryreportisindicatedas“FAIL”,change
thebaerypackandstartthetestagain.
vi) PuttheCUinclearstate
vii) PressBallotBuononCUandverifythattheBusyLEDglowRedon
148
CUandVSDU.ReadyLEDonBUglowGreenindicangBUisreadyfor
Vong.
viii) Cast vote for rst candidate on BU. On the selecon of candidate,
VVPATprintstheselecononballotslip.
ix) The ballot slip is displayed behind a transparent window of VVPAT
for7seconds.Verifythecandidatenumber,symbolandnameofthe
candidateintheslip.Aerthat,ballotslipwillautomacallycutand
fallintotheBallotslipcompartment.
x) RepeatstepsfromviitoixforalltheothercandidatesontheBallot
Unit.CheckwhetherVVPATprintstheselectedcandidateinformaon.
xi) Connuepollingforminimumof96votesi.e.bygiving6votetoeach
candidatebuon.NotedowntheBallotvoted.
xii) PressClosebuononCUtoClosethePollandnotedowntheResult
bypressingResultBuononCU.
xiii) Takeouttheprintedballotslipsfromdropbox(ballotslipcompartment)
andsegregatecandidate-wise.
xiv) Count the candidate-wise printed ballot slips and note down the
count.
xv) TallyCUresultwiththeballotslipcount.
xvi) ClearthevotesbypressingClearbuoninCU.CheckwhetherTotal
Votesdisplayedis‘0’.
 
  TheVVPATisFLCOK,ifallofthefollowingareachieved
i) ThetotalnumberofvotespolledasdisplayedontheCUscreen
indicates equal to number of votes cast, when TOTAL key is
pressed.
ii) “PRINTERERROR”“CHANGEPRINTER”shouldnotbedisplayed
onVSDUduringthemock-poll.
iii) “1-LOWBATTERY”“CHANGEBATTERY”shouldnotbedisplayed
onVSDUduringmock-poll.
iv) Aer conduct of mock-poll, the    duly
149
signed by the Engineer and representave of the District
EleconOcershallbepastedonthewhose
resultsareobtainedas‘PASS’.
          


1. “Transportaon”2.“Working”and3.“UnlockbeforeSwitchON”
MAXIMUMNUMBEROFCANDIDATESTEST
i) Purpose
 ThepurposeofthistestistoverifythattheVVPATisworkingproperlywith
maximum number of candidates i.e. 64. The purpose is to test that the
communicaonprotocolbetweenVVPAT,CUandBUs.
ii) 
 ThistestisapplicabletoVVPATalongwithCUandBUsconnectedasasystem.
Thistestisanextendedtestofpollingtestandisperformedonlyon1%of
theVVPATlot.
iii) 
One VVPAT with 64 symbols loaded, 4 BUs, 1VSDU and 1CU are needed.
MakeconneconsandoperatetheVVPAT.Thistestcanbeconductedwith
usedBaerypackandusedPaperroll(shouldbesucientforprinng64
ballotslips).
150
iv) Test Procedure
i) PressBALLOTkeytoenabletheBallotandvoteforanycandidatein
therstBU.Atotalof4votestobecastedbyvongtoonecandidate
ineachBU.
ii) PressClosebuononCUtoClosethePollandnotedowntheResult
bypressingResultBuononCU.
iii) TallyCUresultwiththeballotslipcount.
iv) RemovealltheballotslipsfromVVPATandclearthevotesbypressing
ClearbuoninCU.CheckwhetherTotalVotesdisplayedis‘0’
v) Acceptance Criteria
 Thetestissuccessfulifthefollowingcondionsaremet:
i) NoerrormessageisdisplayedonCUduringtheballongprocess.
ii) “PRINTER ERROR”  “CHANGE PRINTER” is not displayed on VSDU
duringthetest.




151

OnpressofBallotkeyonCU,iftheerrorcode2displayedonVSDUalongwith
sequenceofmessages,thenswitchoCU.Notedowntheerrorcodeobservedfor
PrintererrorintheTestformat.Errorcodedetailsaregivenbelow:
 PrinterError2.1–AbnormalHeadTemperature
 PrinterError2.3–PrinterTimeoutError
 PrinterError2.4–PrinterLowVoltageError
 PrinterError2.5–PrinterIncorrectCommandError
 PrinterError2.6–CuerError
 PrinterError2.7–FallError
 PrinterError2.8–PrintermemoryError
 PrinterError2.9–ContrastError
 PrinterError2.10–LengthError
 PrinterError2.12–PlatenOpenError
 PrinterError2.13–NoPaperError
 PrinterError2.14–DepleteError
152

EVM FAILED REPORT
Date:
Place:

 
CU
 
Signature:Signature:
Name:Name:
(BEL/ECILEngineer)(DEO’sRepresentave)
153

 Date:
Place:

S.No. VVPAT
Serial
Number
Visual
inspecon
Ok/Not
Ok
Post/
Diagnosc
reportOk/
NotOk*
Symbol
Loading
Ok/Not
Ok
Link
Check
Ok/Not
Ok
Votes
Polled
(96)
PASS/
FAIL
Incaseof
Failure,Defect
observed(Value
ofparameter
causingfailure)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
Signature: Signature:
Name: Name :
(BEL/ECIL Engineer) (DEO’s Representative)
154
 Annexure-7
(MockPollResultCercaonDuringFLCofEVMs)
Date: ……………..


Address of hall:
Itisceredthataprintoutoftheresultofmockpollaswellasasequenalprint
outofeveryvotepolledduringthemockpollhasbeentakenoutfrom………EVMs
pickedupbyme.Therearenodiscrepanciesbetweenthevotespolledduringthe
mockpollandresultintheprintout.

No.











date




155
Annexure-8
(MockPollbyRepresentavesofPolicalParesduringFLCofEVMs)
Date:……………..


Address of hall:
ItisceredthatIhavedonemockpollon…………..EVMsandIamfullysased
withthefunconingofEVMs.
 










date




156

(MockPollcercaonduringFLCofVVPATs)
Date:……………..


Address of hall:
ItisceredthattheresultsoftheprintedballotslipsofVVPATs(listofuniqueID
ofVVPATsaached)havebeentalliedwiththeelectronicresultoftherespecve
Control Units. There are no discrepancies between the electronic count of the
ControlUnitsandcountofprintedballotpaperslipsofVVPATs.
 










date




NameofEngineersofBEL/ECIL  (Signature)
1.
2.
3.
(Signature)………………………………………………………………….
NameofFLC-Supervisor……………………………………………..
Designaon………………………………………………………………..
157
Annexure-10
(SealingofControlUnitofEVMsusingPinkPaperSeal)


Address of FLC hall:
Date:
ItisceredthatthesealingoftheControlUnitsusingPinkPaperSealshasbeen
doneinmypresence.IhaveputmysignatureonthePinkPaperSealsaersealing
oftheControlUnitsandIamsasedwiththesealingoftheControlUnits.
Sl.No. UniqueIDNo.ofControl
Unit
PinkPaperSealNumber
S.No. Name of
National/
State Party
Name of
representative of
political party with
party afliation
Identity
document No.
with date
Signature of
representative

158
Annexure-11
(CercateonarrangementforFLCbyDEO)


Address of FLC hall:
Date:…………………..
  
1 Whether FLC hall is suciently large to accommodate the
EVMsandVVPATstobechecked,ocialsnominatedbythe
DEO, engineers of BEL and ECIL and also representaves of
policalpares.
2 WhetherFLCHallwell-lighted,wellvenlatedanddustfree.
3 WhetherFLCareahasbeenbarricadedandsanizedbypolice
4 Whetheradequatearrangementofreexnguishersandre
alarmhasbeenmadeinsideandoutsidethehall.
5 Whether hall is free from any other electronic device or
componentsofelectronicdevices
6 Whether facilies of drinking water, toilet, rst aid etc are
available
7 Whetherthereisonlyoneentryandexitpointtothehalland
guardedbyarmedpoliceforceroundtheclock.
8 Whetherdoorframe,metaldetectorareinstalled
9 Whetherarrangementforfriskinghasbeenmade
10 Whether Identy Cards for entry into the FLC hall  to the
authorized ocials/Representaves of polical pares have
beenissuedbytheDistrictEleconOcer
11 Whetherarrangementofwebcasnghavebeenmade
12 Whetherlogbooktorecordentryofeverypersonhasbeen
keptatFLChall
13 Whether a separate log book (i.e. duty roaster) to be
maintainedforarmedpoliceforcedeployedforFLChallhas
beenkeptatFLChall
14 Whetherallrequiredregistersandformatsarereadyandkept
inFLChall
15 NumberofArmedPolicePersonnelineachshi
Ihavepersonallyinspectedtheabovearrangements.

159
Annexure-12
(CercateoncompleonofFLCprocess)


Address of FLC hall:
Date: …………………..
ItisceredthatFLCprocesshasbeencompletedon…………………….(date)asper
instrucons of the Commission on First Level Checking of EVMs and VVPATs. I
personallyinspectedFLConfollowingdates:
ThestatusofEVMsandVVPATsaercompleonofFLCisasunder:

of
District

District
 
BU CU VVPAT BU CU VVPAT BU CU VVPAT
ThedefecveEVMsandVVPATsshallbeshiedtothemanufacturer(BEL/ECIL)
on…………………i.e.within7daysfromthedateofcompleonofFLCprocessinthe
district.

160
Annexure-13

161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
Annexure-14

169
Annexure-15
(RegisterforPreparaonofEVMs)




Date:
 
candidate


of candidates






date





Note:Ifacandidateorhisrepresentaveisabsenttheproofofdueserviceof
nocetothecandidateshouldbepastedintheregister.
(NameandsignatureofengineersofBEL/ECILwithIDNo.)
(Name,designaon,signatureofocersnominatedbyDistrictEleconOcer)
170
Annexure-16
(CercaonofEVMsbyBEL/ECIL)



Address of hall:
Date:
ItisceredthattestsprescribedbyBEL/ECILtoascertainthatallcomponentsare
originalwerecarriedoutontheBallongUnitlistedbelowon……..(date).Onthe
basisofthesetestsitisceredthatallcomponentsoftheBallongUnitlisted
belowareoriginal.
.
(Name&signatureofBEL/ECILengineerswithIDNo.)
171
Annexure-17
INSTALLATIONOFPAPERROLLINVVPAT
a) OpenthePaperRollcompartmentbyopeningthesidelatchesandbyliing
thetopcover.ObservethePaperRollCompartmentwhichholdsthePaper
roll.
b) Remove“Spindle”fromitsposionbypullingtowardsupwarddirecon.
c) Insert“Spindle”into“ThermalPaperRoll”.
d) Placethe“ThermalPaperRoll”with“Spindle”intoitsposion(i.ePaperRoll
compartment)andpressittowardsdown.
e) Insert“ThermalPaperRoll”edgeintothe“Guide-PaperEntry”.Ensurethat
theplainpapershouldbeonthetopsurfaceandtheprintedbandshouldbe
onthelowerSurfaceofthePaper.
f) Movethepaperintotheslotbyrotangthepaperfeedknobclockwise.
PaperRollInstallaonsteps
172
Annexure-18
(MockPollcercaonduringPreparaonofEVMs)
Date:……………..



Address of hall:
It is cered that during commissioning of EVMs and VVPATs, mock poll of
1000 votes have been cast on 5% randomly selected EVMs, as well as VVPATs.
The electronic result tallied with paper count, picked up by me. There are no
discrepanciesbetweenthevotespolledduringthemockpoll.
 
candidate








date





173
Annexure-19
(RegisterforSealingofBallongUnitofEVMsusingPinkPaperSeal)


Address of FLC hall:
Date:
ItisceredthatthesealingoftheBallongUnitsusingPinkPaperSealshasbeen
doneinmypresence.IhaveputmysignatureonthePinkPaperSealsaersealing
oftheBallongUnitsandIamsasedwiththesealingoftheBallongUnits.
  
 
candidate









174
Annexure-20





Date of Poll:



Hkkjr fuokZpu vk;ksx
ernku dEikVZesaV

VOTING COMPARTMENT
175
176


177
Annexure-21

ThisisceredthatI,………………PresidingOceratthePollingStaonNo……….
of ……………………..Assembly Constuency (or the ……………………………Assembly
segment under ……………………………Parliamentary Constuency) conducted
the mock poll at ……….. AM today, the poll day i.e. ………………(date), following
scrupulouslyalltheinstruconsissuedbytheEleconCommissionofIndia,using–
CUofSerialNo.(asprintedonback-sideoftheCU)……………………………………………
BUofSerialNo.(asprintedonback-sideoftheBU)…………………………………………
VVPATUnitofSerialNumber(ifused)…………………………………………………………
1. Atotalof………voteswerecastforeachcandidateandalsoforNOTA.
2. It was veried that the LED light was geng lit up against the correct
candidate/NOTAbuon,whenthebuonwaspressedandbeepsoundwas
properlyheard.
3. The candidate-wise detail of votes polled during mock-poll and result
displayed,isasunder:
S.No. NameoftheCan-
didate
Number
ofvotes
castduring
mockpoll
Numberof
votesdis-
playedinCU
onchecking
theresult
Numberof
PrintedPa-
perSlips,as
percounng
onchecking
mockpollre-
sult(ifVVPAT
used)
VotesCast
andResult
displayed
&Printed
PaperSlip
count(if
VVPATused)
Talliedwith
eachother
(YES/NO)
NOTA
Total
178
4. 


5. At the me of mock poll the following polling agents represenng the
candidateswhosenamesmenonedagainstthenamesofsuchagentswere
presentandIhaveobtainedtheirsignatures.
6. PollStartDateandTimeseenonthedisplayofCUatthemeofstartof
actualpoll………………………………………………..(TobelledincaseofPost-2006
EVMs).


1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
or
Atthe mescheduledformockpollnopolling agentwaspresent/theagentof
onlyonecontesngcandidatewaspresent.Aerwaingforeenmoreminutes,
Iconductedthemockpollalongwithotherpollingstaat…….….AM.
SignatureofMicro-Observer(ifpostedatthepollingstaon)
Date:
Time: Name&SignatureofthePresidingOcer
PollingStaonNo………….
PollingStaonName…………………..
179
Annexure-22
HANDLINGOFCU-BU-VVPATFAILURES/ERRORSDURINGPOLL
PREPARATIONOFPOLLINGOFFICIALSFORFAULTHANDLING-SUGGESTIONS
Certain conngencies may arise during the polling process which may require
certainacons.Theseareasfollows:-
 :(i)SwitchotheCUand
don’tswitchitonagain(ii)ReplacethecompletesetofEVMandVVPATby
anothersetofBU,CUandVVPAT(iii)

poll. (iv) ConnuethepollwiththenewEVMset,aerclearingmockpoll
dataandprintedpaperslipsfromVVPATDropBox.
 (i)Checkthatthecable
conneconsareproperbyvisual inspecon (don’tremoveand reconnect
theconnectors);(ii)If“LinkError”sllpersists,replacethecompletesetof
EVMandVVPAT.
 
:SwitchotheCUandreplacethePowerPackofVVPATprinter. It
shouldbeensuredthatinnocasereplacementofpowerpackisdonewithout
switchingotheCU.
 
SwitchotheCUandreplace
thedefecveVVPATunitwiththenewVVPATunit.Itshallbeensuredthatinno
casereplacementofVVPATunitisdonewithoutswitchingotheControlUnit.
 
      

(i)If
thebusylampoftheCUisnotglowingandnoMessage/Errorisdisplayed
onVSDU,thecomplaintshouldbeconsideredasbaselessandrejected;(ii)If
busylampisglowingontheCUandnoMessage/ErrorisdisplayedonVSDU,
theVotershallberequestedtogointotheVongCompartmentonceagain
andpresstheCandidateBuononBUofhischoice;(iii)Ifbusylampofthe
CUandVSDUareglowingandVSDUhasnodisplaymessage,pleaseswitch
OFFtheCUandreplacetheVVPATunit.(iv)Thelastvoterwhosepaperslip
hasnotbeenprintedbyVVPATorhasnotbeencutshouldbeallowedtocast
hisvoteaertheVVPATunithasbeenreplaced.
180
 PleasekeepinmindthatthevoteisnotrecordedintheCUelectronically
unlessthepapersliphasbeenprintedandcutbyVVPAT.IfVVPAThasnot
printedthepaperslip,ortheprintedpapersliphasnotbeencut,thelast
voterwhosepapersliphasnotbeenprintedbyVVPATorhasnotbeencut
shouldbeallowedtocasthisvoteaertheVVPATunithasbeenreplaced.
    
paper roll:ReplacethePrinter,butnoeortshouldbemadetomakeitfall
intothedropbox.Itshouldbeallowedtoremainhanging,asitisnottobe
countedattheme ofcounngoftheballotslips.Thedetailsofsuchan
occurrenceshouldbeclearlyrecordedinthePresidingOcersdiaryinthe
followingformat:
i) Thedateandmeoftheoccurrence.
ii) Thenameofthevoterandhisserialnumberinpartintheelectoral
rollwhowasallowedtocasthisvoteaerreplacementofVVPAT.
iii) WhetherthevotercasthisvoteaerreplacementofVVPATorwent
awaywithoutcasnghisvote.
iv) TheTotalnumberofvotescastbeforetheoccurrence.
 
    
other than the one he voted for: Aconshouldbetakenasperprovisionsof
Rule49MAoftheConductofElecons(Amendment)Rules,2013:
(i) Obtain a declaraon from the complainant in the Declaraon Form
() under his/her signature/thumb impression; (ii) Proceed to
the vong compartment along with the complainant and polling agents
presentinthepollingstaonatthatmoment;(iii)Thevotershallbeasked
tocastatestvoteinfavourofanycandidateandmakesecondentryrelated
tothatelectorintheForm-17A;(iv)ObservecarefullywhetherthePrinter
has printed the paper slip correctly; (v) If the complaint of the elector is
foundgenuine,the PresidingOcershall reportthefactsimmediatelyto
theROandstopfurtherpolling atthestaon;(vi)Ifthe complaintof the
electorisfoundfalse,makearemarktothateectagainstthesecondentry
relangtothatelectorinForm-17Amenoningtheserialnumberandname
ofthecandidateforwhomsuchtestvotehasbeenrecordedandobtainthe
signatureorthumbimpressionagainstsuchremark.Furthermakenecessary
entriesregardingsuchtestvoteinitem5inPart-IofForm17-C.
181
Annexure-23
CHECKLISTOFADDITIONALITEMSOFPOLLINGMATERIALSTOBEPROVIDEDTO
THEPOLLINGPARTY
1. VoterVeriablePaperAuditTrail(VVPAT)PrinterUnit : 1No.
2. VVPATStatusDisplayUnit(VSDU) : 1No.
3. CarryingCasefortheVVPATsystem : 1No.
4. Envelopemadeofthickblackpaper : 2Nos.
5. (ForsealingprintedpaperslipsofMockPoll)
PlascBoxforBlackPaperEnvelopeSealing : 1No.
6. PinkPaperSealforsealingPlascBox : 2Nos.
7. Formofdeclaraonbyelectorunderrule49MA : 10copies
 oftheConductofEleconsRules
182
Annexure-24
General/Bye-Eleconto………………………………………………………………
Sl.No.andNameofParliamentary/AssemblyConstuency……………………………
No.andNameofPollingStaon………………………………………………………
FORMOFDECLARATIONBYELECTOR
UNDERRULE49MAOFCONDUCTOFELECTIONSRULES,1961
1.Iherebysolemnlydeclareandarmundersub-rule(1)ofRule49MAofthe
Conduct of Elecons Rules 1961 that the paper slip generated by the printer
aachedtotheBallongUnithasshownthenameand/orsymbolofacandidate
otherthanthecandidateforwhomIvotedbypressingtheconcernedbluebuon
againstthenameandsymbolofthecandidateofmychoiceontheBallongUnit.
Iamreadytocastatestvoteagaintoshowthattheallegaonmadebymeistrue
andbonade.
(2).Iamawareofthepenalprovisionsof Secon177oftheIPCthatI shallbe
liable to be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six
months, or with ne which may extend to one thousand rupees, or with both,
ifthedeclaraongivenbymeinpara1abovetothePresidingOcerappointed
underSecon26oftheRPAct,1951isfoundtobeincorrect.
Signature/ThumbimpressionoftheElector
NameoftheElector…………………………….
Father/Mother/Husband’sName……………….
PartNo.ofelectorroll………………………….
Sl.No.ofelectorinthatPart……………………
Sl.No.inRegisterofVoters(Form17A)……….
Dated………………..
Ceredthattheabovedeclaraonwasmadeandsubscribedbytheelectorabove
namedbeforeme.
SignatureofthePresidingOcer
…………………………………
Dated…………
183
Annexure-25
(Report on geng result data from Control Unit whose CLOSE buon was not
pressedbyPresidingOcerattheendofpoll)
NameofState/UT:
NameofDistrict:
Nameofelecon:
Number&NameofAssembly/ParliamentaryConstuency:
DateofCounng:
ItisceredthattheresulthasbeenobtainedfromthefollowingControlUnit(s)
aer pressing CLOSE buon in the presence of the contesng candidates/
their counng agents. The result of the elecon has been declaredtaking into
consideraontheresultfromthismachineaswell.

No.


No.

of Control
Unit
Detailed Report No. of votes polled in
the Control Unit as per

Finalstatementshowingvotespolledbythewinningandrunnerupcandidates
  Votes polled
(Name&SignatureofReturningOcer)
(Name&SignatureofObserver)
184
Annexure-26
(Report on discrepancy in total votes shown in the Control Unit whose CLOSE
buonwasnotpressedbyPresidingOcerattheendofpollandasmenoned
inForm17-C)
NameofState/UT:
NameofDistrict:
Nameofelecon:
Number&NameofAssembly/ParliamentaryConstuency:
DateofCounng:
Itisceredthatthediscrepancyhas beennocedinthe totalvotespolledin
thefollowingControlUnit(s),aerpressingTOTALbuonoftheControlUnitand
comparingitwiththetotalvotespolledmenonedinForm17-C.
 

No.

ID No.
of Control
Unit
No. of votes




No. of votes
polled in
the Control
Unit as per


Finalstatementshowingvotespolledbythewinningandrunnerupcandidates
  Votes polled
As the margin of votes between the candidate having highest votes and the
runnerupismorethanthevotespolledmenonedintheForm17Crelangtothe
ControlUnit(s)menonedabove,themaerisbeingreferredtotheCommission
forpermissiontosetasidethevotespolled in the said ControlUnits(s)andto
declaretheresult.
(Name&SignatureofReturningOcer)
(Name&SignatureofObserver)
185
Annexure-27


186
Annexure-28
ANNEXURETOPART-IIOFFORM17-C
RESULTOFPRINTEDPAPERCOUNT
PollingStaonNo.______  Total number of VVPATs
used:____________________
UniqueIDofVVPAT:___________

candidate

candidate

votes as per
count of
Printed Paper



deducted as per


of valid
votes.

(1) (2) (3) (4) (5)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Total
Whetherthetotalnumberofvotesshownabovetallieswiththetotalnumberof
votesshownagainstitem6ofPartIoranydiscrepancynocedbetweenthetwo
totals.(YES/NO)
Place…………………..
Date…………………….
SignatureofCounngSupervisor
187
Nameofcandidate/eleconagent/counngagent   Fullsignature
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Place…………………..
Date…………………….
SignatureofReturningOcer
188
Annexure-29
FORM17C
[Seerules49Sand56C(2)]
PARTI–ACCOUNTOFVOTESRECORDED
ElecontoHouseofthePeople/LegislaveAssemblyoftheState/UnionTerritory
………….………………from………………………..constuency.
NumberandNameofPollingStaon: ……………………
IdencaonNumberofvong ControlUnit…………...
MachineusedatthePollingStaon: BallongUnit………….
  Printer(ifused)…………
1. TotalnumberofelectorsassignedtothePollingStaon
2. TotalnumberofvotersasenteredintheRegisterforVoters(Form17A)
3. Numberofvotersdecidingnottorecordvotesunderrule49-O
4. Numberofvotersnotallowedtovoteunderrule49M
5. Testvotesrecordedunderrule49MA(d)requiredtobededucted-
a) totalnumberoftestvotestobededucted: Total No. Sl.No.(s) of
elector(s)inForm17A
……… …………...............……….
b) Candidate(s)forwhomtestvote(s)cast:Sl.No.    Name of
candidateNo.ofvotes
…………. ………………… ……….
…………. ………………… ……….
6. Totalnumberofvotesrecordedaspervongmachine:………………………………….
7. Whetherthetotalnumberofvotesasshownagainstitem6tallieswiththe
total number of votes as shown against item 2 minus numbers of voters
decidingnottorecordvotesasagainstitem3minusnumberofvotersas
againstitem4(i.e.2-3-4)oranydiscrepancynoced:…………………………………
8. NumberofvoterstowhomtenderedBallotpaperswereissuedunderrule
49P:…………..
189
9. NumberoftenderedBallotpapers:  Sl.No.
Total  From To
a) receivedforuse …………………………………………………
b) issuedtoelectors …………………………………………………
c) notusedandreturned ………………………………………....………
10. Accountofpapersseals

1. Papersealssuppliedforuse:
  TotalNo………………1…………..............….
  Sl.No.from…………….To…………..............….
2. Papersealsused:
  TotalNo………………2…………..............….
  Sl.No.from…………….To…………..............….
3. Unusedpapersealsreturnedto
  ReturningOcer:
TotalNo……………… 3…………..............….
  Sl.No.from…………….To…………..............….
4. Damagedpaperseal,ifany: 
  TotalNo………………4…………..............….
  Sl.No.from…………….To…………..............….
  5…………..............…..
  6…………..............…..
Date…………..............….
Place…………..............….
SignatureofPresidingOcer
Polling Staon No……………..............….
190


candidate

candidate

of votes as

control unit


deducted as per


of valid
votes.

(1) (2) (3) (4) (5)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Total
Whetherthetotalnumberofvotesshownabovetallieswiththetotalnumberof
votesshownagainstitem6ofPartIoranydiscrepancynocedbetweenthetwo
totals.
Place…………………..
Date…………………….
SignatureofCounngSupervisor
Nameofcandidate/eleconagent/counngagent   Fullsignature
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Place…………………..
Date…………………….
SignatureofReturningOcer
191
Annexure-30
MandatoryvericaonofpaperslipsofVVPATof01randomlyselected
pollingstaon
NameofState/UT:…………………………………………………………………………….
No.andNameofAssembly/ParliamentaryConstuency:…………………………………
No.andNameofAssemblySegment(incaseofPC):……………………………………..
Sl.No.andnameofPollingStaon:………………………………………………………..
UniqueIDofControlUnit:…………………………………………………………………
UniqueIDofVVPAT:……………………………………………………………………..
ItiscerfythatpilottesngofcounngofpaperslipsofVVPATof01randomly
selected polling staon has been conducted as per the instrucons of the
Commission.
NameofCandidate No.ofVotesCast Discrepancyifany
AsperEVM AsperPaperSlips
1.
2.
3.
--
--
NOTA
TOTALVOTES
SignatureofCounngAgents
1……………………..
2……………………..
3……………………..
SignatureofCounngSupervisor
SignatureofReturningOcer
SignatureofGeneralObserve
Manual on
Electronic Voting Machine and
VVPAT
July 2018
Document 2 - Edition 3
Hkkjr fuokZpu vk;ksx
Election Commission of India
Nirvachan Sadan, Ashoka Road, New Delhi-110001
Website : www.eci.nic.in, Tel. : 011-23052205, Fax : 011-23052219
“No voter to be left behind”
Hkkjr fuokZpu vk;ksx
Election Commission of India
Nirvachan Sadan, Ashoka Road, New Delhi-110001
“No voter to be left behind”

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