Election Commission Directives on EVM and SLU Handling and Storage

Source- This post on Election Commission Directives on EVM and SLU Handling and Storage is based on the article “EC brings out protocol on symbol loading units as mandated by top court” published in “The Hindu” on 1st May 2024.

Why in the news?

The Election Commission released a revised protocol for handling and storing symbol loading units, complying with the supreme court directive.

Recently, SC directed that the Symbol loading units should be sealed and secured in a container and stored in a strongroom along with the EVMs at least for 45 days post the declaration of results.

Supreme Court Directive on EVM Handling and Storage:

1. Seal and Storage SLUs: The Supreme Court mandated the sealing and storage of symbol loading units (SLUs) along with electronic voting machines (EVMs) in a container within a strongroom for a minimum of 45 days post-result declaration.

Note:  SLUs are responsible for uploading the names and symbols of candidates onto Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) or paper trail machines.

2. Provision for verification by Candidates- As per the court’s directions, candidates ranked second and third in the elections can request verification of micro-controllers embedded in EVMs.

Election Commission Directives:

1. New protocol: As per the new protocol, the machines should be sealed and secured in a container and stored in a strongroom along with the EVMs for at least 45 days after the declaration of the results.

2. Infrastructure Creation: The Election Commission instructed State Chief Electoral Officers to establish appropriate infrastructure for handling and storing SLUs within EVMs in line with the updated protocols.

3. Container Preparation: EC also directed that adequate SLU containers, typically two to four per Assembly constituency should be prepared beforehand as per anticipated requirements.

4. Implementation Date: The revised protocols are effective for all symbol loading processes in VVPATs conducted on or after 1st May 24.

UPSC Syllabus: Polity and nation