Patna: District Magistrate Leads Rigorous Inspection of EVM-VVPAT Readiness Ahead of 2024 Lok Sabha Elections

PATNA: Dr. Chandrashekhar Singh, District Election Officer-cum-District Magistrate, Patna, conducted a thorough inspection of the first-level checking (FLC) work for Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) devices at the EVM-VVPAT warehouse in Phulwarisharif block complex today. The inspection, carried out in accordance with Election Commission guidelines, involved the participation of representatives from recognized political parties.

The ongoing first-level checking, initiated on October 1, 2023, is part of the preparations for the upcoming Lok Sabha General Elections in 2024. Dr. Singh emphasized that the process, scheduled to continue until November 5, 2023, is progressing as per the outlined schedule. The FLC work is being conducted daily, including holidays, from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM, with the active involvement of twenty engineers from the Electronics Corporation of India Limited (ECIL).

Ensuring strict compliance with the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) prescribed by the Election Commission of India, Dr. Singh emphasized the meticulous supervision of FLC venues and processes. The Deputy Election Officer in Patna, along with the Senior Nodal Officer and Nodal Officer of the EVM-VVPAT Cell, oversees the operations, which are bolstered by robust security arrangements. Magistrates and police officers are deployed to guarantee the integrity of the process, complemented by continuous CCTV monitoring.

Under the directive of the Election Commission, M3 EVMs and VVPATs, manufactured by ECIL, Hyderabad, are designated for use in the Lok Sabha General Elections, 2024. Patna district has been allocated a total of 13,000 Ballot Units (BUs), 6,500 Control Units (CUs), and 6,900 VVPATs, all securely stored in the EVM-VVPAT warehouse at Phulwarisharif block complex.

To ensure regular supervision, the District Magistrate has instructed the Sub-Divisional Officer, Patna Sadar, and the Sub-Divisional Police Officer, Phulwarisharif. Dr. Singh emphasized that the entire FLC process is closely monitored by the Election Commission, with webcasting and uninterrupted recording in place. The Office of the Chief Electoral Officer, Bihar, maintains continuous surveillance through live webcasting.

Present at the inspection were key officials including Amitabh Sinha, Senior Nodal Officer of EVM-VVPAT Cell, Ashutosh Kumar Rai, Deputy Election Officer, and other authorities from the Block Development Officer and Circle Officer in Phulwari Sharif.