Don't delete EVM data! Supreme Court asks to EC for transparency in vote counting

Delhi: In a major move for electoral transparency, the Supreme Court has instructed the Election Commission to preserve all EVM data and explain its post-election handling process.

SC puts ECI on notice over EVM data retention

The Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice of India Sanjeev Khanna, has questioned the Election Commission of India (ECI) over its handling of Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) data once elections are concluded. The court, responding to a petition on vote verification, instructed the ECI not to delete or reload any data from EVMs.

What happens to EVM data post-elections?

The court has asked the Election Commission to clarify the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for handling EVM data and to explain the process of burning EVM memory and microcontrollers. This move has reignited debates over electoral transparency and data security. The petitioners argue that retaining EVM data is critical for ensuring election integrity and preventing potential tampering. The case comes amid growing concerns about the reliability of electronic voting and the need for robust verification mechanisms.

Election commission yet to respond

The ECI has not yet issued an official statement regarding the court's directive. However, with elections approaching, this case could have significant implications for India’s electoral process and public confidence in EVMs.