EVM and VVPAT verification disputes in Tamil Nadu elections

Still running. 2 entries so far, over 33 days from 3 August 2026.

01
3 August

EVM verification process in Kolathur

Verification process of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in Kolathur constituency involves 14 polling stations.
Election Commission (EC) guidelines govern the verification process; it is not a recount exercise.
Verification procedure includes checking the integrity of seals, address tags, and matching polled votes with Form 20 data.
District Election Officer (DEO) confirms that polled votes matched Form 20 results in the eight machines verified so far.
Allegations raised regarding the placement and condition of amber seals and address tags on control units and ballot units.
EC officials maintain that seal identification is documented and discrepancies in seal placement do not constitute evidence of tampering or malpractice.
The verification process includes a preliminary mock poll to ensure machine reliability.

02
4 September

Madras High Court dismissed a writ petition seeking 100% VVPAT slip verification for a specific Assembly constituency.
The Court ruled that under Article 329(b) of the Constitution, election disputes cannot be challenged via writ jurisdiction (Article 226) and must be pursued through an election petition.
The judiciary emphasized that an election petition is the mandatory legal remedy for challenging election results, and writ jurisdiction cannot circumvent this constitutional bar.
The Court noted that allegations regarding EVM/VVPAT anomalies require a full-fledged trial with expert evidence, which is only possible before an election tribunal.
The 5% EVM verification mechanism is an additional safeguard established by the Supreme Court, not a substitute for the statutory election petition process.
The Court clarified that procedural delays in administrative processes do not grant the High Court jurisdiction to override express constitutional bars on election challenges.

Newest first. A story that ran for 33 days is exactly the kind the mains paper asks about as one question.

Discuss the constitutional limitations on the High Court's writ jurisdiction under Article 226 regarding the adjudication of election disputes. How does Article 329(b) ensure the integrity of the electoral process? 150 words · 4 September
The election petition is the primary mechanism for resolving disputes arising from the electoral process in India. Critically examine the role of election tribunals in balancing the need for technical scrutiny of electronic voting systems with the constitutional mandate for timely election finality. 250 words · 4 September
Discuss the significance of the post-election verification process of Electronic Voting Machines in maintaining the integrity of the electoral process in India. 150 words · 3 August
The Election Commission of India plays a pivotal role in ensuring free and fair elections. In light of concerns regarding the technical security of voting machines, analyze the institutional mechanisms available to the Election Commission to address transparency and public trust in the electoral system. 250 words · 3 August

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