How EVM and VVPAT work: a plain-language guide

Who this is for

A voter who wants to understand the voting equipment before entering the polling station.

Before you start

This guide explains the equipment at a high level. For the latest technical details, demonstrations, or election procedure, use ECI’s linked pages.

Key points

• ECI describes an EVM system using a Ballot Unit and Control Unit, with VVPAT providing a printed confirmation visible to the voter for a short period. Consult ECI’s current explainer for the exact device and procedure.
• This guide makes no claim about a particular election’s counting, verification, or dispute process; those depend on official rules and instructions.

What to prepare

• No document is needed to read this guide. To vote, check the current roll, identity, and polling-station instructions separately.

Steps

1. At the polling station, wait until polling staff call you and explain the procedure.
2. The polling staff enable the Ballot Unit after completing their checks. Follow the on-screen or staff instructions for the available buttons.
3. After making a selection, look at the VVPAT window for the confirmation slip shown by the machine. ECI says it is visible for a brief period before it is cut and stored in the box.
4. Follow polling staff directions and leave the voting compartment without touching or attempting to open equipment.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Treating a short visible VVPAT confirmation as a take-home receipt.
• Trying to infer the result or count from one voter’s VVPAT slip.
• Using an unofficial video as the sole explanation of the current procedure.

Short answers

If something goes wrong

• If the equipment display or process appears wrong, stop and tell the polling officer immediately.
• For general questions, check ECI’s FAQ and explainer instead of relying on forwarded messages.
• Do not touch, photograph, or interfere with polling equipment unless an official expressly permits an action.