The Delhi University Students Union (DUSU) and District Magistrate (DM) established Electronic Voting Machines (EVM’s) and Voter-verifiable paper audit trail (VVPAT) for providing the first-hand experience to the students of the Delhi University and to create awareness among the students.
Addressing to the students, Delhi’s Chief Election Officer Ranbir Singh said, “increase the electors of 18-19 years from the low number of 1 lakh to at least 6 lakh by the active and effective contribution of students”.
“Youth constitute the highest number of voters in the country and they should use their votes to build an empowered society and strong democracy,” he said.
Addressing the students during the event at the Arts faculty, DM East K Mahesh said VVPAT was “just” and “cannot be tampered with”. He also said there was “no reason to judge or doubt the machines”.
“1989 was when a revolution happened and the right to vote was given to the youth. This is why we have come to DU to reach out to the youth. It has the highest profile of young students in India…” said Mahesh.
“We have setup VVPAT so that first-time voters can be acclimatized about the process and so that they can verify and refer to whom they are voting for. VVPAT is just and cannot be tampered with. There is no reason to judge or doubt the machines,” he said.
Another student studying at the Ramjas College, Delhi University Yashwant Kumar informed that he found the process of voting through these machines simple, “It was very easy to use,” he said. He asserted that it would be the first time he will be registering to vote this year.
Harshit from Sri Venkateswara College, also a first-time voter, said: “I have never voted before, but today’s event made me realize it’s my duty.”