Election Commission allows post-result mock polls to check EVM integrity

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NEW DELHI:
Election Commission
has revised its standard operating procedures (SOPs) for post-result checking of burnt memory or microcontroller of EVM (EVM C&V), allowing the candidates who finished second or third, to also opt for a mock poll on the selected EVM units, in addition to the simple diagnostic check already offered.
As per the earlier SOPs issued on June 1, 2024, EVMs could be subjected to C&V as a set, that is, a combination of ballot unit, control unit and VVPAT, as used in an actual election. A diagnostic check would be performed under the supervision of the district in-charge engineer of the manufacturer, Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) or Electronics Corporation of India Ltd (ECIL) and the district election officer. There was no provision for a mock poll.
The new administrative SOPs, issued on June 17, 2025, have also split the charges to be paid by the candidates applying for EVM checks, into two slabs. While plain EVM C&V charge is now fixed at Rs 23,600, inclusive of 18% GST, C&V check with mock poll will cost the applicant candidates Rs 47,200 (GST included). These charges shall be payable to the EVM manufacturer. However, if the EVM is found to be tampered with or modified, the charges will be refunded to the applicant concerned and borne by central or state govt, depending on the election.
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Eligible candidates can, within seven days of declaration of result, request a check or verification of burnt memory for any tampering or modification in 5% of EVMs - BU, CU and VVPAT - per assembly constituency or assembly segment of a parliamentary constituency.
The new SOPs have also cut the period for the chief electoral officer to send the consolidated list of EVM C&V applications received, to the EVM manufacturers, to 15 days from the date of declaration of result, against 30 days earlier.
Meanwhile, in another important decision, EC, concerned at the possible misuse of still and video records maintained by it for each stage of the election process, has fixed the period of retention of such records to 45 days, provided no election petition is filed.
Time limits ranging from six months to a year were previously laid down for retention of photos and videography from different stages of elections - pre-nomination, nomination, EVM preparation, polling, counting and declaration of result - even though not mandatory under the law.
"The instructions to destroy records after 45 days is prospective," an EC official told TOI, hinting that they may kick in only with the upcoming Bihar assembly poll.
"The retention period is in sync with the 45-day time-bar for filing election petitions. When an election petition is filed, the relevant records will not be destroyed till after the petition is disposed of finally," added the officer.
EC, in a letter sent to the all state CEOs on May 30, had justified the modified instructions by citing the "recent misuse of this content by non-contestants for spreading misinformation and malicious narratives on social media by selective and out-of-context use of such content, which will not lead to any legal outcome".

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