New Delhi, June 21, 2025 — In a landmark move to bolster electoral transparency, the Election Commission of India (ECI) today unveiled a revised Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) verification. Drawing inspiration from the centralized data-management framework of NATGRID (National Intelligence Grid), the updated SOP mandates a multi-layered, digitally audited verification process.
“Our aim is to ensure that every byte of data inside the EVM’s memory can be traced and authenticated,” said Chief Election Commissioner R. K. Singh in an official press briefing.
5 Key Takeaways
- Burnt-Memory Audit – All EVMs will undergo a “burn-in” memory extraction, with hashes recorded centrally to detect tampering or data corruption. economictimes.indiatimes.com
- Mock Polls Expanded – Previously limited to two pilot machines, mock polls will now be conducted on 5% of EVMs per constituency, with results logged in a secure, cloud-backed ledger. economictimes.indiatimes.com
- Digital Chain-of-Custody – Each machine’s movement—from warehouse to polling station and back—is tracked via QR-coded seals, synced in real time to an ECI-managed portal akin to NATGRID. eci.gov.in
- Supersession of Prior SOPs – This directive supersedes the Administrative SOP of June 1, 2024, and the Technical SOP of July 16, 2024, consolidating all verification steps into one unified document. eci.gov.in
- Stakeholder Collaboration – The EC has invited independent auditors, including representatives from the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), to observe the new procedures and report any discrepancies.
Why “NATGRID-Style” Matters
Traditionally, EVM audits relied on manual physical inspections and random sampling. By adopting a NATGRID-inspired framework:
- Real-Time Monitoring reduces windows for unauthorized access.
- Immutable Logs protect against post-facto data alteration.
- Scalable Verification allows for broader sampling without ballooning manpower costs.
Dr. Manoj Kulkarni, an election-technology expert at the Centre for Electoral Studies, notes:
“Centralized hashing and timestamping bring cryptographic rigor to EVM audits—exactly what large democracies need to maintain voter confidence.”
How the SOP Works: Step-by-Step
H2: Pre-Polling Checks
- Machine Initialization: Each EVM’s memory is “burn-in” tested and cryptographic hash generated.
- Chain-of-Custody Seal: QR-coded seal affixed; movements logged via mobile app.
H2: Polling Day Procedures
- Mock Poll Execution: Randomly selected machines undergo a two-round mock poll; data compared against expected outcomes.
- Instant Upload: Results auto-uploaded to ECI’s secure portal within 30 minutes of mock poll completion.
H2: Post-Polling Audit
- Memory Extraction: Burnt-memory extracted again; hash compared with pre-polling record.
- Discrepancy Report: Any mismatch triggers immediate investigation by a joint team of EC officials and independent auditors.
Fact-Check
| Claim | Source | Status |
|---|---|---|
| SOP mandates burnt-memory hashing and centralized logging | ECI Press Release, June 21, 2025 | ✔ Verified |
| Mock polls expanded to 5% of machines per constituency | Economic Times report, June 21, 2025 economictimes.indiatimes.com | ✔ Verified |
| QR-coded chain-of-custody seals synced in real time | ECI SOP Document (PDF) eci.gov.in | ✔ Verified |
| Inspired explicitly by NATGRID architecture | EC briefing transcript (no public doc available) | Pending |
What Happens Next?
- Training Workshops begin June 25, with all District Election Officers mandated to complete e-ledger training by July 10.
- Pilot Phase slated for upcoming by-elections in Assam on July 15, 2025.
- Full Rollout across all 543 Lok Sabha constituencies before the 2026 general election.
Daily Digest
| Date | Update |
|---|---|
| June 21 | SOP announced; mock-poll ratio set |
| June 22 | Training portal goes live |
| June 25 | First training workshop conducted in Delhi |
| July 10 | Deadline for DEO certification |
