New Delhi: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has kick-started a nationwide awareness programme on Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) in view of the Lok Sabha elections 2024, to provide citizens with a first-hand experience of the voting process and familiarity with the machines.
According to a statement by ECI, the programme includes outreach and awareness activities in 3,464 assembly constituencies spread across 613 districts in 31 states/UTs. Notably, five states that went for polls in November 2023 – Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Mizoram, Madhya Pradesh and Telangana – are not on the list.
“Over 3,500 demonstration centres and around 4,250 mobile vans have been set up to physically demonstrate EVM/VVPAT functionality to the public. CEOs and DEOs are also sharing the updates on social media platforms to enhance the outreach of this awareness programme,” the poll body said.
The awareness programme is organised ahead of every election to impart knowledge about the basic features of EVMs and VVPATs, elucidating the step-by-step procedure of casting votes, and educating voters on how to verify their choices through the VVPAT slip. Awareness through physical demonstration fosters a deeper understanding of EVM and VVPAT functionality and is instrumental in dispelling misconceptions, boosting voter confidence, and ensuring a more informed and participative electorate, the poll body added.
As per ECI’s standing instructions, state Chief Electoral Officers need to start a focussed awareness campaign approximately three months before the announcement of the election, considering the date of the announcement of the last election.
The District Election Officer prepares a schedule for the awareness campaign assembly constituency and segment-wise. It is also shared with national and state-recognised political parties and local media.
