Lok Sabha Question No. 3167 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-13
Subject: Matching of VVPAT Slips with EVM Votes
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: Shri Anand Bhadauria

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3167

## TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, THE 13th DECEMBER 2024

## Matching of VVPAT Slips with EVM Votes

3167. Shri Anand Bhadauria:

Will the Minister of LAW AND JUSTICE be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of petitions filed during 2024 for matching of VVPAT slips with EVM votes in Supreme Court and various High Courts, State-wise;
- (b) whether the Election Commission of India is not allowing matching of VVPAT slips and EVM votes after counting in spite of the fact that several Lok Sabha and assembly candidates have deposited the required amount for said matching, in contempt of the orders of Supreme Court;
- (c) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor, State-wise;
- (d) whether time limit for said VVPAT matching is fixed; and
- (e) if so, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE; AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS

## (SHRI ARJUN RAM MEGHWAL)

- (a): The Election Commission of India (ECI) has informed that total 08 petitions were filed in 2024 for matching of Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail unit (VVPAT) slips with Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) votes in Hon'ble Supreme Court and various High Courts. The details are annexed at Annexure 'A'.

(b): The ECI has informed that after counting of votes, mandatory verification of VVPAT slips of randomly selected 05 polling stations per Assembly constituency/segment is conducted, in pursuance of the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India order dated 08th April, 2019 in N.Chnadrababu Naidu vs . Union of India. Deposit of any amount is not required for the said mandatory verification. The ECI has further stated that as required, the mandatory verification has been done in all elections held in 2024.

(c) to (e): Do not arise.

*******

## Annexure 'A'

## The details of petitions filed during 2024 for matching of VVPAT slips with EVM votes in Hon'ble Supreme Court and various High Courts

|   Sl. No. | Name of the Court                   | Case Number                             | Case Title                                                   |
|-----------|-------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------|
|         1 | Supreme Court of India              | Writ Petition (Civil) No. 247 of 2024   | Mohit Kumar Bhandari vs. Election Commission of India        |
|         2 | Supreme Court of India              | Writ Petition (Civil) No. 277 of 2024   | Abhay Bhakchand Chhajed vs. Election Commission of India     |
|         3 | Supreme Court of India              | Writ Petition (Civil) No. 184 of 2024   | Arun Kumar Aggarwal vs. Election Commission of India         |
|         4 | High Court of Madras                | Writ Petition No. 9578 of 2024          | Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam vs The Chief Election Commissioner |
|         5 | High Court of Madras                | Writ Petition No. 10374 of 2024         | F. Camilus Selva vs Chief Election Commissioner              |
|         6 | High Court of Bombay (Bombay Bench) | Civil Writ Petition No. 4356 of 2024    | Suryakant Abhimanyu Phadke vs. UOI & Ors.                    |
|         7 | High Court of Delhi                 | Writ Petition (Civil) No. 11103 of 2024 | Hans Raj Jain vs. Election Commission of India               |
|         8 | High Court of Calcutta              | FMAT No. 91 of 2024                     | Kanishk Sinha & Anr vs Election Commission of India & Ors.   |