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Startups might be asked to make high-tech EVMs and VVPATs by government

Government to ask startups to make high-tech EVMs and VVPATs- mybigplunge

Startup & Entrepreneurship

Startups might be asked to make high-tech EVMs and VVPATs by government

According to reports, the government might ask startups to come up with technologically advanced electronic voting machines and paper trail equipment provided the Election Commission clears its security aspects.

A senior government functionary told media, “There is a considered view in the government to encourage start-ups to produce EVMs and VVPATs using the latest technology… the Election Commission will, of course, have to clear the security aspect.”



This statement a day after the Union Cabinet in the cabinet meeting has approved the first tranche of Rs 920 crore for the poll panel to buy 5.50 lakhs new ballot units and 5.45 lakhs control units during 2016-17.

Along with the approval of the acquisition of the first of EVMs, the cabinet has also decided the procurement plan for ballot units and control units for the 2017-18 and 2018-19 would be considered subsequently.

The similar procedure would be followed for the procurement of Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail Units (VVPAT) for 2016-17, 2017-18 and 2018-19. It would be considered subsequently after price negotiations.



Currently, Bharat Electronics Ltd and Bengaluru and Electronic Corporation of India Ltd, Hyderabad, produce EVMs and VVPATs, both of which are government undertakings.

The EC plans to buy nearly 14 lakhs new EVMs at a cost of over Rs 5200 crore before 2019 when the next Lok Sabha polls are due.


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