Second randomisation of EVM/ VVPAT held at Shopian

• 251 EVMs allotted among polling stations, with 50% reserves at 125 EVMs

SHOPIAN: As per the guidelines of the Election Commission of India (ECI), second randomisation of EVM/ VVPAT was conducted today at Mini Secretariat, Shopian in presence of contesting candidates and recognised agents of political parties. The exercise was supervised by the General Observer, 36- Zainapora, Jeevan Babu K and General Observer, 37 -Shopian, Roohi Khan.

All EVMs available in the district were allotted AC wise in the first round of randomisation, the candidates and agents of political parties were apprised on the occasion and during the second round held today, 129 EVM/ VVPATs were allotted to equal number of polling stations of Zainapora AC with reserve EVM/ VVPATs kept at 50% of the total number of polling stations.

For Shopian AC, 122 EVM/VVPATs were allotted to 122 polling stations, with 61 EVMs kept reserve, constituting 50% of the total. They were further informed, in case, any EVM constituting the Ballot Unit ( BU), Control Unit ( CU) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) mal- functions during commissioning, mock and actual polling, EVMs shall be replaced from reserve stock.

The agents were informed that the commissioning of the EVMs shall start from 4th September and were requested to be available during the process and be proactive for sharing apprehensions, grievances and worry lists, advised the General Observer, Shopian. The General Observer for Shopian further asked them to train their party agents for polling and counting day activities for the purpose of fair and transparent electoral process.

The printed copies of the list of randomised EVMs, polling station wise, were handed over to political parties agents and contesting candidates, belonging to JKNC, JKPDP, JKAP, JKNPP (B)and other independents of both the ACs. DEO, Mohammad Shahid Saleem Dar, RO Zainapora, Shopian, Dy DEO, Nodal Officers and other concerned were also present.