First-Level Check of EVMs and VVPATs to Begin in Punjab on November 12
Punjab will initiate the first-level check of EVMs and VVPATs on November 12 ahead of the February assembly elections.
Chandigarh, November 10 (Daily Kiran) : In Chandigarh, Chief Electoral Officer Anindita Mitra announced on November 10 that a first-level check of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter-Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) machines will commence on November 12. This process is a vital step in preparation for the upcoming assembly elections scheduled for February next year.
Mitra emphasized that the first-level checking is a mandatory procedure outlined by the Election Commission of India (ECI). Its primary goal is to ensure that only fully functional and election-ready machines are used during the voting process.
According to ECI guidelines, the first-level checking of machines used in every general and by-election is conducted under the supervision of the district electoral officer, by authorized engineers from Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL).
The Chief Electoral Officer confirmed that only EVMs and VVPATs that successfully pass this initial check will be utilized in the elections. The entire process will adhere strictly to the directives issued by the Election Commission.
To ensure a smooth, transparent, and organized checking process, all necessary arrangements have been made. Mitra stated that the procedure will be monitored by district electoral officers, as well as at the levels of the Chief Electoral Officer and the Election Commission.
To promote transparency and accountability, live webcasting of the checking process will take place at all 23 locations. Each district headquarters will feature two display screens, allowing representatives from political parties to observe the process closely. Additionally, special screens will be set up at the Chief Electoral Officer’s headquarters for real-time monitoring.
The Election Commission has also appointed observers to oversee these activities. Mitra urged all recognized political parties to authorize their representatives to witness the first-level checking of EVMs and VVPATs. She highlighted that the presence of political party representatives during this process will enhance transparency, build trust among stakeholders, and ensure that the procedure is conducted fairly and impartially.
