The Supreme Court has refused for an urgent hearing of a plea that sought the verification of the Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) before the counting of votes.
The court had earlier said that it would hear the plea on Wednesday.
Chief Justice of India NV Ramana said that since the counting is on March 10, the Supreme Court cannot, at the last minute, interfere with a procedure that was laid down by SC, and was being followed by the Election Commission (EC).
He said, “We would have to list the matter before an appropriate bench and which, if satisfied with the relief sought by Naidu, would issue notice to seek EC’s response. The matter will be heard only after the counting process is over for assembly polls.”
EC counsel Maninder Singh also pointed out the Election Commission has followed the process laid down by the SC for VVPAT verification. He also argued that the review petition on this matter was dismissed by the SC.
Senior Counsel Meenakshi Arora told the top court, “Verification of VVPAT is after counting is over and by that time all election agents have left, so there is no transparency. If verification is after counting is over, then there is no use. Verification should be first when there are agents, parties, candidates etc.”
Chief Justice of India NV Ramana asked why the matter was being mentioned at the last minute. He said, “Last minute, if you are asking, how can we help you? Day after tomorrow is counting. Even if we hear this tomorrow, can we issue such a direction to all states?”
The election results for the assembly elections in the states of Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Goa, Uttarakhand and Manipur will be announced on March 10.
