Election Commission Starts EVM-VVPAT Checking for Upcoming Assembly Polls
Election Commission begins First Level Checking workshops for EVMs and VVPATs in poll-bound states.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has launched the First Level Checking (FLC) workshops in five poll-bound regions—West Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Assam, and the Union Territory of Puducherry—as part of preparations for the upcoming Assembly elections. The FLC ensures that Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verified Paper Audit Trails (VVPATs) are fully functional and secure ahead of polling.
According to ECI guidelines, District Election Officers (DEOs) are responsible for managing the FLC process. They designate trained Additional or Deputy DEOs to serve as FLC supervisors, ensuring strict compliance with procedural instructions. The workshop focuses on demonstrating proper EVM handling, troubleshooting, and maintaining transparency at every step.
The FLC is mandatory for all elections using EVMs, including by-elections, Assembly polls, and Lok Sabha elections. For Assembly elections, the checking process begins at least 120 days prior, while for Lok Sabha elections, it starts 180 days in advance. This advance preparation helps avoid last-minute issues and ensures the machines are election-ready.
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Chief Electoral Officers of each state and UT coordinate with EVM manufacturers (ECIL and BEL) to prepare detailed schedules for FLCs. Political party representatives are invited to observe and verify the process, with their attendance recorded daily to ensure accountability. No FLC can proceed without their presence, reinforcing the transparency of the exercise.
The workshops include detailed presentations on EVM and VVPAT functioning, proper handling techniques, and technical guidance from experts. This initiative also aims to familiarize party representatives with troubleshooting procedures and ensure confidence in the election process.
In Assam, a full-day FLC workshop was conducted in Guwahati for all DEOs and Deputy DEOs/FLC Supervisors. Similar workshops are underway in other poll-bound states and UTs, marking the initial stage of a three-level comprehensive checking process for all machines to be deployed in the upcoming elections.
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