Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 2 (UNI) With Kerala’s local body elections just weeks away, the State Election Commission (SEC) has completed preparations of 1,37,922 ballot units and 50,693 control units, ensuring a smooth and secure voting process across the state.
The Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) underwent a rigorous month-long First-Level Checking (FLC) process before being certified, packed, and securely stored in district strong rooms.
The inspections were carried out jointly by SEC officials and engineers from the Electronics Corporation of India Limited (ECIL), the Hyderabad-based manufacturer of the machines.
The FLC exercise, which began on July 25, was conducted across 21 centres in 14 districts. Over 1,000 trained officials, guided by 29 ECIL engineers, participated to ensure each machine met strict standards of safety and reliability.
To manage the large-scale operation efficiently, the Election Commission deployed its customised “EVM Track” software, enabling real-time monitoring from configuration to deployment. District-level training was led by L. Suryanarayanan, EVM consultant for the Election Commission, standardising procedures across all districts.
Currently, the EVMs are stored under tight security in district strongrooms, supervised by the respective District Collectors. Election officials have assured that all measures are in place to provide a transparent and hassle-free voting experience for lakhs of voters.
The completion of EVM readiness marks a key milestone for Kerala’s local body elections, reflecting meticulous planning, technological support, and vigilance that underpin modern grassroots democracy in India.
