As the anticipation builds for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and five assembly polls scheduled before year-end, the Election Commission has reportedly initiated “first level checks” of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and paper trail machines in a phased approach across the nation. Citing sources, this move by the Election Commission aims to ensure the integrity and functionality of the voting equipment ahead of the crucial electoral events.
“Mock polls” are part of the first level check (FLC) process, they said.
“It is a pan-India exercise. FLC will take place across the country in a phased manner, including all constituencies of Kerala,” an Election Commission functionary said.
He was responding to a question on a mock poll taking place in Kerala’s Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency, which fell vacant following the disqualification of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi after he was convicted in a criminal defamation case in March by a sessions court in Surat.
“The EC issues a calendar for such exercises and there are standing instructions that are to be followed by state chief electoral officers,” the functionary explained.
The functionary pointed out that FLCs will also take place in the five poll-bound states of Rajasthan, Mizoram, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, and Madhya Pradesh as well as assembly and parliamentary seats where by-polls are due.
At present, the Lok Sabha seats of Wayanad, Pune, Chandrapur (Maharashtra), Ghazipur (Uttar Pradesh), and Ambala (Haryana) are vacant.
Gandhi’s plea seeking a stay on the conviction and sentencing is pending before the Gujarat High Court.
During FLCs, electronic voting machines and paper trail machines are checked for mechanical flaws by engineers of BEL and ECIL, the two PSUs that manufacture the two pieces of equipment.
Faulty machines are returned to the manufacturers for repair or replacement.
A mock poll is also held to check the two machines in the presence of representatives of political parties.