Kohima, October 3 (DIPR): The Supreme Court of India in its order, dated 08.10.2013 in the Civil Appeal No. 9093 of 2013, permitted the ECI to introduce VVPATs in gradual stages in the general elections. The order further stated that the area, State or actual booth(s) are to be decided by the ECI, and the ECI is free to implement the same in phased manner. Since August, 2013 VVPATs are being used with EVMs continuously in selected constituencies, as per the availability of VVPATs. In the meeting of political parties held on 12th May, 2017, the Commission announced 100% coverage of VVPATs in all future elections to Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies.
The Commission has directed that henceforth, VVPAT shall be used with EVMs in all the polling stations, in all the future elections to the Parliament and State Legislative Assemblies conducted using EVMs.
Therefore the Commission has informed that VVPATs shall be used with EVMs, in all polling stations, during General and Bye-elections to the State Legislative Assemblies and Lok Sabha.