sc-special-bench-sets-next-week-hearing-for-vvpat-cross-verification-plea

The Supreme Court announced on Wednesday that it would address a plea by a non-governmental organization (NGO) seeking the cross-verification of votes cast in Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) with Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT).

 

 A bench led by Justices Sanjiv Khanna stated that the plea would be scheduled for hearing next Tuesday or Wednesday. Advocate Prashant Bhushan, representing the NGO, emphasized the urgency of the matter.

 

Senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, also involved in the case, highlighted the approaching elections, expressing concern that failure to address the issue promptly could render the plea ineffective.

 

Justice Khanna, alongside Justices MM Sundresh and Bela M Trivedi, assured that the court was cognizant of the situation and committed to hearing the matter the following week.

 

Acknowledging the urgency, Justice Khanna suggested a swift resolution, indicating that the matter could be concluded within a two-hour timeframe.

 

"Mr. Bhushan, after all, how much time this matter will take. You can make submissions in two-hours and we will finish the matter. Ok. Next week," Justice Khanna said.

 

The Supreme Court had previously sought a response from the Election Commission of India on a similar plea filed by the NGO 'Association for Democratic Reforms' (ADR) on July 17 the previous year.

 

In the petition, the NGO has sought direction to the poll panel and the Centre to ensure the voters are able to verify through VVPATs that their vote has been "counted as recorded".