EVM-VVPAT Commissioning Completed for Lok Sabha and Assembly Elections Amid Strict Monitoring

EVM-VVPAT Commissioning Completed for Lok Sabha and Assembly Elections Amid Strict Monitoring

Dharamshala/Hamirpur, May 23 – The commissioning process for EVMs and VVPATs for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections and the Dharamshala Assembly by-election has been meticulously carried out under stringent supervision. District Election Officers (DEOs) have emphasized the importance of security and transparency in the process, ensuring compliance with the guidelines set by the Election Commission of India (ECI).

District Election Officer Hemraj Bairwa inspected the commissioning process of home voting and EVM-VVPATs in the Kangra Assembly constituency. Addressing the officials and staff on election duty, Bairwa announced that the commissioning process for the allocated EVM-VVPATs would be completed by May 25. He mentioned that 19 strong rooms have been established in the Kangra parliamentary constituency for this purpose.

Bairwa stated, “The strong rooms for EVM-VVPAT commissioning will only be opened in the presence of candidates or their authorized election agents. Once the commissioning process is complete, the EVM-VVPATs will be securely stored in the strong rooms and sealed in the presence of the candidates or their agents.” He emphasized that no electronic devices or materials would be allowed inside the hall during this process. Candidates can authorize representatives, provided they have all necessary documents as per ECI regulations.

Meanwhile, in Hamirpur, the commissioning process for the five assembly segments was completed by late Wednesday evening. Following the completion, the EVM-VVPATs were placed in strong rooms in the presence of all candidates or their agents, and the rooms were sealed.

Senior IAS officer and General Observer for the ECI, Shyam Lal Poonia, issued strict monitoring directives. He reviewed reports from District Election Officer Amarjeet Singh and Assistant Election Officers Sanjay Swaroop, Dr. Rohit Sharma, Manish Kumar Soni, Rajendra Gautam, and Aparajita Chandel. Poonia also took reports from Bilaspur and Una districts, Dehra and Jaswan-Paragpur in Kangra district, and Dharampur in Mandi district.

Poonia instructed, “There should be no negligence in monitoring the strong rooms. According to ECI guidelines, robust 24-hour security arrangements must be maintained.” He underscored the necessity of thorough oversight to ensure the integrity of the election process.

The commissioning process involves rigorous checks to guarantee the functionality of the EVMs. According to Bairwa, 5% of the total EVMs used in the Assembly segments will undergo a mock poll with 1,000 votes each, in the presence of political parties or their representatives. Each remaining EVM will be tested with one mock poll for each candidate’s name to ensure proper functionality and accuracy in vote recording.

Additionally, during the mock poll, political parties and their representatives verify each vote to confirm that the machines are working correctly and that each button accurately reflects the intended candidate. This thorough verification process aims to prevent any issues on the actual polling day.

These stringent measures reflect the commitment of the Election Commission and local authorities to conduct free, fair, and transparent elections. The vigilant oversight and adherence to ECI guidelines are designed to maintain public trust in the electoral process and ensure that every vote is accurately counted.

As the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections approach, these preparations and security measures play a crucial role in upholding the democratic process and ensuring that the voice of the people is heard without any compromise.

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