Ludhiana West by-election: General observer inspects EVMs preparation process

Ludhiana Election News: General observer for Ludhiana West by-election Rajeev Kumar, IAS on Thursday inspected the process to prepare electronic voting machines (EVMs) and voter-verified paper audit trail (VVPAT) machines to be used on the polling day (June 19).

The preparation process, which began today, will continue on June 11 to ensure readiness of the machines for the polling day on June 19.

Checking the preparation of EVMs and VVPATs at the Khalsa College for Women, the Observer said the administration had on Tuesday started the preparation process of ballot or control units and VVPATs to be used on the polling day. He said each of these machines would be installed at polling booths on June 19. He added the primary motive of the inspection is to ensure that polling for by- election conducted in a transparent manner.

The directions were also issued to the officials to ensure safety of the EVMs/VVPATs.

The detailed interaction was also held with the EVMs’ engineers who have been assigned the duty of preparing these machines. The engineers apprised the observer that all these EVMs and VVPATs would be ready for the use after reformatting. They said this exercise was the most important work in ensuring the elections held in a smooth, hassle free and transparent manner.

The candidates and political parties’ representatives have been urged to present during the EVM preparation exercise.