2024 Lok Sabha poll: First-level EVM checking from September 1

 STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Following instructions from the Election Commission of India (ECI), the Election Department of Assam has started all preliminary activities for the 2024 Lok Sabha poll. From September 1, the department will start the first-level checking (FLC) of all electronic voting machines (EVMs) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trials (VVPATs) available in the state.

According to ECI rules, the first-level checking of EVMs and VVPATs is a must before every election, be it of the Lok Sabha or the State Assemblies. This checking involves a thorough examination of each EVM and VVPAT available in a state for their use in any ensuing election. Through FLC, the department singles out the defective EVMs and VVPATs so as not to use them in any ensuing poll.

According to sources in the department, the EVMs available in the state are from the Electronic Corporation of India Ltd. (ECIL), a Government of India enterprise. Around 200 ECIL engineers will take part in the ensuing FLC drive starting September 1. The district administrations will invite representatives of all recognized and registered political parties during the FLC drive, and the engineers will check the EVMs in their presence.

The state has over 55,000 EVMs available, and the Election Department will know the number of usable EVMs after the FLC. If the department needs more EVMs for the Lok Sabha poll, it will seek more from the ECI.

The Election Department of the State held a meeting recently with the district commissioners, election officers of districts, and others to make them aware of the procedure they need to follow during the FLC drive.

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