Balrampur Elections: EVM-VVPAT FLC Completed, Mock Poll Held

बलरामपुर उत्तर प्रदेश | अनिरुद्ध प्रताप शुक्ल

EVM-VVPAT First Level Checking Concludes in Balrampur

In a significant step towards the upcoming Assembly General Elections-2027, the Balrampur district has successfully completed the First Level Checking (FLC) of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) machines. This crucial exercise, conducted under the guidelines of the Election Commission of India, aims to ensure a fair and flawless voting process.

The FLC process was carried out at the EVM and VVPAT strong room located within the Collectorate premises. All standard operating procedures (SOPs) and directives set by the Election Commission of India were strictly adhered to throughout the checking.

Rigorous Testing of Voting Machines

As part of the FLC, a thorough inspection of the functionality of the EVM's Ballot Unit, Control Unit, and VVPAT machines was performed. The primary objective was to confirm that all machines are in perfect working condition and that their functions operate correctly.

To further verify the accuracy and reliability of each machine, a mock poll was also conducted. During the mock poll, it was tested whether each vote cast was correctly recorded by the machine and if the VVPAT slip accurately indicated the chosen candidate.

Political Party Representatives Ensure Transparency

Authorized representatives from various political parties were invited to witness and participate in this critical testing procedure. Their presence during the machine testing and mock poll marked a significant milestone in the election preparations.

This involvement of political parties was a vital step towards ensuring transparency and further strengthening public trust in the election process. The active participation of representatives instilled confidence in the Election Commission's commitment to conducting elections with integrity and openness.

Transparent Process and Secure Storage

The FLC work commenced on September 29 and was carried out with utmost transparency. The District Election Administration ensured that representatives of political parties were present daily during the opening and closing of the strong room, a protocol designed to eliminate any scope for doubt or allegations.

The entire process was videographed to maintain a record of all activities. Following the successful completion of the mock poll and confirmation of the machines' full functionality, all EVMs and VVPAT machines have been securely sealed and stored in the strong room, ready for use in the upcoming assembly elections.

Gratitude and Successful Outcome

The district administration expressed its gratitude to all political representatives who participated in this process. Their involvement not only enhanced the transparency of the proceedings but also ensured that election preparations were completed within the set timelines.

This exercise has proven to be a significant and successful step towards ensuring fair and error-free voting.