When both the phases of voting took place for Bihar Assembly elections, arrangements were made for three-tier monitoring of EVM-VVPAT. The camera remained installed. But, sometimes questions were raised on the camera and sometimes there was an uproar after seeing the empty boxes that a conspiracy was being hatched to change the EVMs. The results are coming today. In such a situation, ‘Amar Ujala’ understood from the presiding officers who take the most important and direct responsibility technically in Bihar elections 2025, whether it is possible to change EVMs? It is possible, but what needs to be done for this?
Appointment letter is available only with EVM number.
To change the EVM, first of all the presiding officer and the three polling officers appointed with him will have to re-make the appointment letter received for conducting the elections. In this appointment letter, the photograph, name, name and designation of the actual government office of the presiding officer and the three polling officers appointed along with him are printed. The numbers of EVM (Control Unit), Ballot Unit and VVPAT are printed in this appointment letter. This is a unique random number, which consists of 5-5 Roman letters and numbers. Counting of votes takes place only after adding this number. If there are more than 16 candidates, there can be two ballot units and if there are more than 32, there can be three ballot units. Whether there is one or more ballot units, they are combined into a single EVM, i.e. control unit.
Meaning, If the EVM is to be changed, then the numbers of EVM (Control Unit), Ballot Unit and VVPAT will have to be changed in the appointment letter received by the four officers. Is this possible?
Numbers will have to be written in the same handwriting on these documents packed in six envelopes.
Even if someone brings EVM from somewhere, we told him what he will have to do first. Now ahead. While every presiding officer gets an appointment letter, he also gets an EVM and several envelopes. All of them reach the polling station a day before the elections under the protection of the paramilitary force accompanying them. It is prohibited for anyone to visit that centre. There, the presiding officer, either himself or with the help of a subordinate polling officer, has to fill the numbers of EVM, ballot unit and VVPAT on several documents packed in six envelopes. Apart from these four, it cannot be filled in the handwriting of anyone else. And, finally, the presiding officer has to sign after mixing everything. If wrong information is written even at one place and it is signed by the presiding officer, then the process of suspension and dismissal from the original job starts.
Meaning, If the EVM is to be changed, then all the papers kept inside the envelopes and everything on top of the envelope will have to be filled afresh with the handwriting of these four government serving officers. Is this possible?
Signature of the candidate’s agent along with all four officers is required in Form 17C.
Inside six big envelopes are many smaller envelopes. It has different formats. The most important form is Form 17C. In this the serial number of Control Unit (EVM), Voting Unit (BU) and VVPAT is written. After matching all the information, it is mandatory for the Presiding Officer to conduct the mock poll on the morning of voting and get signatures of the polling agents of the candidates present at the time of voting. The presiding officer also signs it.
Meaning, If the EVM is to be changed, the signature of the government servant and signature of all the polling agents will have to be renewed in Form 17C. Is this possible?
Signature of officer-agent even on the seal of EVM
The number of EVM has to be written by hand on the diary of the presiding officer, report of the presiding officer, address tag and special seal also. The green paper seal with which the EVM is sealed is also signed by the presiding officer and the polling agent of the candidates. At the end, where the seal is applied with the leather, signature also has to be done.
Meaning, If the EVM is to be changed, then the signatures of the government serving officer and all the polling agents will have to be renewed at all these places and also on the seal. Is this possible?
And finally, it should also be known that the duty does not repeat itself.
There are separate duty hours for voting and counting. Generally, an officer has only one duty. Even if duty is imposed both the times, in any case the duty of voting and counting of votes is not imposed only in one assembly constituency. The presiding officer or polling officer who is on duty for voting, once he has deposited the EVM and left, he cannot even see it again. Because, the responsibility for this also lies with someone else. There is a risk of losing the job if this rule is broken. EVMs are under three-tier security system, hence it is not possible even for the presiding officer conducting the voting to reach the EVM after crossing so many circles.
