Election Commission Initiates EVM and VVPAT Commissioning for Tamil Nadu and West Bengal Polls on April 23
Synopsis
The Election Commission of India has started the commissioning of EVMs and VVPATs for upcoming elections in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal. This crucial step ensures transparency and reliability in the electoral process as the states prepare for their pivotal polls on April 23.
Key Takeaways
The ECI has started the commissioning of EVMs and VVPATs for elections in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal.
Polling is scheduled for April 23, covering 234 seats in Tamil Nadu and 152 in West Bengal.
A mock poll will be conducted to validate the EVMs before the elections.
Randomization of EVMs is a critical step in ensuring electoral integrity.
New Delhi, April 16 (NationPress) - The Election Commission of India (ECI) commenced the commissioning of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trails (VVPATs) for Assembly constituencies, notably in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal, as they prepare for polling on April 23, according to an official announcement.
Voters will head to the polls for 234 Assembly seats in Tamil Nadu and 152 Assembly constituencies in West Bengal next week, along with bye-elections in Gujarat and Maharashtra.
The commissioning process involved the presence of candidates or their authorized representatives, as well as General Observers, as confirmed by the official.
Following the commissioning, a mock poll consisting of 1,000 votes will take place in 5% of the randomly selected EVMs, allowing candidates and their representatives to conduct the mock polls themselves.
Before the commissioning, EVMs were assigned to their respective polling stations through a two-stage randomization process utilizing the EVM Management System.
In the first stage, EVMs were randomly allocated from district level warehouses to the Assembly constituencies. The second stage involved the random allocation from the Assembly Constituency level to the polling station level.
According to the official statement, 75,064 polling stations are set to operate in Tamil Nadu and 44,378 in West Bengal (Phase-I) on April 23.
As per ECI directives, the first randomization was executed through the EVM Management System by District Election Officers (DEOs) in the company of representatives from recognized political parties.
The second round of randomization was completed by Returning Officers in the presence of the candidates or their agents and General Observers for the General Election to the Legislative Assemblies of Tamil Nadu and West Bengal (Phase-I), along with bye-elections in Gujarat and Maharashtra on April 23, as stated.
The ECI has shared the constituency-wise lists of the first randomized EVMs and VVPATs with representatives of all recognized political parties at district headquarters.
These EVMs and VVPATs were subsequently stored in designated Assembly Strong Rooms under the supervision of representatives from national and state-recognized political parties. Furthermore, the lists of both the first and second randomized EVMs and VVPATs have been distributed to all contesting candidates, as confirmed by the ECI.
Point of View
The ECI's commissioning of EVMs and VVPATs highlights the importance of maintaining integrity and transparency in the electoral process. With crucial elections approaching in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal, the steps taken by the ECI are vital for ensuring a smooth and credible voting experience for all citizens.
NationPress
2 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of EVMs and VVPATs?
EVMs and VVPATs are critical for ensuring transparency and integrity in the electoral process, allowing voters to verify their votes while also streamlining the voting procedure.
When are the elections scheduled in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal?
The elections in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal are set to take place on April 23.
How many polling stations will be operational in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal?
There will be **75,064 polling stations** in Tamil Nadu and **44,378** in West Bengal for the upcoming elections.
What is the mock poll process?
A mock poll process will involve casting **1,000 votes** in **5%** of the randomly selected EVMs to ensure they are functioning correctly, allowing candidates to participate in the process.
Who oversees the randomization of EVMs?
The randomization of EVMs is overseen by District Election Officers and Returning Officers in the presence of political party representatives.
