DEO-cum-DC Fazilka conducts first randomization of EVMs and VVPATs machines
- Computerized allocation lists of machines handed over to representatives of political parties
- SDMs directed to keep machines in strong rooms at assembly constituencies under adequate security arrangements
- Jalalabad, Fazilka, Abohar and Balluana assembly constituencies given 900 Ballet Units, 900 Control Units, and 939 VVPAT machines
Fazilka, March 30, 2019: In view of the forthcoming parliamentary elections, the first randomization of EVMs and VVPAT machines has been conducted under the chairmanship of District Electoral Officer-cum-Deputy Commissioner Mr. Manpreet Singh Chhatwal and in the presence of representatives of various political parties. Under the the first randomization, these machines have been allocated to the assembly constituencies.
Addressing the meeting at District Administrative Complex here, Mr. Chhatwal apprised that as per the instructions of Election Commission of India, 20 percent Ballet Units, 20 percent Control Units, and 30 percent VVPAT machines are to be kept reserve than the actual number of booths of the constituencies. He said that the commission has directed that the first randomization is carried out as per the stock available and these machines should be physically shifted to the strong rooms at assembly constituencies immediately after the first randomization. He further said that now 15 percent Ballet Units, 15 percent Control Units 20 percent VVPAT machines have been allocated to the AROs-cum- SDMs and remaining machines would be provided in the next phase.
In the presence of Mr. Ashok Malhotra of Congress Party, Mr. Gurpreet Singh Lovely kathpal of Shiromani Akali Dal, Mr. Subodh Verma of Bharatiya Janata Party, Mr. Nanak Parkash of BSP, Mr. Subeg Singh of Indian Communist Party, Mr. Abnash Chander of Communist Party of India (M) Mr. Buta Ram and Mr. Dev Raj Sharma of Aam Aadmi Party, the Deputy Commissioner instructed the official of NIC and Election Office to conduct the randomization through online software 'EVMs Management System' of Election Commission of India. After attaining satisfaction of the representatives of political parties with regard to computerized allocation of the machines, the first randomization has been completed. "Allocation of machines, through ECI's 'EVMS Management System', is totally transparent and without human intervention", apprised Mr. Chhatwal. Whole proceeding of the meeting has been fully video graphed, in which political representatives were handed over the lists of computerized allocation of machines to the constituencies.
Deputy Commissioner said that the ECI had allocated 1747 Ballet Units (EVMs), 954 Control Units and 993 VVPAT machines to the district and during the first randomization, four constituencies of the district; Jalalabad, Fazilka, Abohar and Balluana have been allotted 900 Ballet Units, 900 Control Units and 939 VVPAT machines. He said that the remaining machines will be kept at District Strong Room.
Deputy Commissioner directed the AROs-cum-SDMs that EVMs and VVPAT machines should be shifted to the Assembly Constituency Strong Rooms immediately after the randomization and to ensure necessary security arrangements as per the ECI norms after the delivery of the machines.
SDM Fazilka Mr. Subhash Khattak, SDM Abohar Ms. Poonam Singh, SDM Jalalabad Mr. Keshav Goyal, EVMs Nodal Officer Mr. Prem Kumar, Tehsildar Elections Mr. Satpal Bansal, District Informatics Officer Mr. Prince Goyal, BDPO Khuian Server Mr. Jaswant Singh and other officials were present during the meeting.