Test Vote || Rule 49 MA || Section 177 of IPC || VVPAT Slip || Special situation during the Poll ||
What is a Test Vote under Rule 49 MA? A Test vote is conducted under Rule 49 MA of the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961. A voter who claims that the VVPAT of EVM did not record his or her vote correctly. This claim leads to a special situation of Test Vote. The paper slip generated by the printer has not shown the name or symbol of the candidate he voted for. Presiding Officer obtains written declaration of the allegation, after warning the elector about the consequence of making a false declaration.
Presiding Officer makes a second entry in Form 17A. Elector records test vote in the presence of candidates/polling agents. Paper slip generated by VVPAT is observed. If allegation is true, Report to Returning Officer, Stop further voting. Act as per the direction given by the Returning Officer.
If allegation is false or test Fails, make a remark to which candidate the test vote was casted in Form 17A. Obtain the signature or thumb impression of that elector against such remarks. Make entries in item 5 in Part I of Form 17C.
According to Election Commission of India:
Since the introduction of VVPATs, more than 113 crores of voters have cast their votes with full satisfaction.
Only 25 complaints received u/r 49 MA, which were all found to be false.
Till date, in 61 instances RO had allowed Slip counting since 2017. All counts matched with CU result.
Test Vote, what is a Test Vote, VVPAT Slip, Rule 49 MA, Conduct of Election Rules 1961, Special situation during the Poll, Section 177 of IPC, Form 17A, Form 17C, Election, Voting, Paper slip, Returning Officer, Election Commission of India, Register of Voters, Account of votes recorded,
Disclaimer:
This training material should not be referred as guidelines of ECI. In case of any variance in the training material, the ECI guidelines/Laws/Rules shall prevail.