Administration holds second randomization of EVMs, VVPATs and 3189 poll staff

Nawanshahr, February 7, 2022: The district administration on Monday carried out second randomization of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trails (VVPATs) and 3189 polling personnel to be involved during election process at district administrative complex in the presence of the election observer Amod Kumar and political parties.

The district has set up 614 polling booths in three of its assembly constituencies. The randomization of total 738 Balloting units and Control Units respectively and 800 Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trails conducted with the help of EVM management system, software developed by Election Commission of India.

Besides, the randomization of 3189 poll staff has also been completed with the help of DISE software and the polling personnel have been distributed to the returning officers of three assembly constituencies.

Today, the polling teams have been coordinated and would be further allocated booth wise during third randomization.

Disclosing further details, General Observer Amod Kumar and Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Election Officer Vishesh Sarangal said that the drive has been done to allocate EVMs and VVPATs randomly to the 614 polling stations of Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar.

They added that the district has kept additional 20 percent CU, 20 percent BU and 30 percent VVPAT have been kept on reserve that can be used in case any machine malfunctions.

They told that the aim of randomization is to ensure free and fair elections.

They said after the randomization, the EVMs and VVPATs have already been shifted to dedicated strong rooms of the respective assembly constituencies where these machines have been kept under tight security and para-military protection.

They said that any kind of laxity in performing the duties would be dealt with iron hands.

 They added that administration is committed to hold the elections in a smooth, free and fair manner and urged all political parties and candidates to follow all the guidelines of Election Commission of India and Covid-19 protocols.

They told any violation of Model Code of Conduct would not be tolerated at any cost.