Simulated poll was conducted yesterday at 28 polling stations each at Delhi and Thiruvanthpuram as a part of 2^nd field trial of VVPAT (Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail) system in ECI-EVMs. Sh. V. S. Sampath, Chief Election Commissioner and Sh. H. S. Brahma, Election Commissioner along with members of Technical Expert Committee (Prof. D.T. Shahani and Prof. Rajat Moona) and other senior officers of Election Commission visited several polling stations and witnessed the trial of the VVPAT system in actual field conditions. Large number of people participated in the exercise and cast their votes with enthusiasm and zeal for the sake of trial. The representatives of all political parties were invited and many of them including representatives of Bharatiya Janata Party and Indian National Congress participated and witnessed the field trial. Apart from them, members of civil society were also present and showed keen interest in the event. In addition, some persons who have been engaged with the Commission on EVMs and VVPAT system and have taken the matter before the Hon’ble Supreme Court and Hon’ble Delhi High Court like Sh.G.V.L. Narsimha Rao, Sh. Hari K Prashad and Sh. V.V Rao also took part in the simulated electoral exercise.

Before the actual field trial today, all the EVMs with VVPAT were rigorously tested through a First Level Check (FLC) by the technicians of BEL and ECIL on 26.07.2012 in the presence of representatives of many political parties. The Chief Election Commissioner Shri V. S. Sampath personally witnessed the process. The presiding officers and polling officers and other supporting staff were given intensive hands-on training on 26.07.2012.

The next round of field trials of VVPAT will be held in Leh (J&K) and Jaisalmer (Rajasthan) on 10.08.2012 and in Cherapunjee (Meghalaya) on 25.08.2012

Election Commission of India

29^th July, 2012 New Delhi

RM