General Observer inspects EVMs/VVPATs warehouse and strong rooms; expresses satisfaction over arrangements 

Ludhiana, May 14, 2024: General Observer for Ludhiana parliamentary constituency Divya Mittal IAS on Tuesday took stock of the distribution process of EVMs/VVPATs at the district level warehouse located at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU). 

The distribution process was initiated after the district administration conducted first randomization of EVMs/VVPATs for polling booths on April 29, in the presence of representatives of different political parties.

Accompanied by District Revenue Officer (DRO) Gurjinder Singh, Assistant Commissioner (UT) Kritika Goyal, General Observer Divya Mittal checked the work of EVMs/VVPATs distribution to respective Assistant Returning Officers (AROs). 

DRO Gurjinder Singh informed that a total of 3498 ballot units, 3498 control units, and 3792 VVPATs would be distributed to all Assistant Returning Officers (AROs) till May 16. He said that the EVMs and VVPATs of Raikot, Jagraon, Payal and Dakha were already distributed and the remaining work will be completed by May 16. He said that trucks which were being used for transportation of EVMs/VVPATs are GPS enabled. The CCTVs had also been installed here. He also mentioned that out of these units, 20% of ballot and control units and 30% of VVPAT units would be kept as reserve. He also confirmed that the machines were found to be in good condition during the first level of checking. These machines will be stored in pre-poll EVM strong rooms at the ARO level. 

While expressing satisfaction on the whole process, the General Observer also asked the officials to ensure proper arrangements of drinking water, fans etc for the staff too. 

The General Observer also visited pre-poll and post-poll strong rooms established in Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU) and checked CCTVs, security among others arrangements. 

Accompanied by Assistant Returning Officer (ARO - Atam Nagar) Paramdeep Singh, General Observer Divya Mittal inspected the security arrangements including CCTv cameras installed at the strong rooms. She directed the officials to ensure safety of the EVMs and facilitate the political parties/candidates by installing big LED screens for showing live footage of strong rooms to them after the voting.

Later in the evening, the General Observer Divya Mittal also inspected the pre-poll strong room of Ludhiana North constituency established in Guru Nanak Public School (GNPS), Sarabha Nagar.

Accompanied by ARO Ludhiana North Ankur Mahindroo, the General Observer took stock of the security arrangements. Expressing satisfaction, she directed the officials to keep the representatives of different political parties updated, so that there should be no doubt in their minds regarding the strong rooms.