General Observer Raj Kumar Yadav checking Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trails to be used in the by-elections. , Photo Credit: M. Govardhan
The work for affixing party symbols, names of candidates and photographs on ballot units to be used in 238 polling stations for the by-election to be held on February 27 in Erode (East) assembly constituency began on Saturday.
The process started in the corporation office in the presence of District Election Officer and Collector H Krishnanunni, General Supervisor Raj Kumar Yadav, District Revenue Officer S Santoshini Chandra and Returning Officer and Corporation Commissioner K Shivakumar. A total of 77 candidates are in the fray. Each polling station requires five ballot units, one control unit and one Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT). A total of 1,430 ballot units, 286 control units and 310 VVPATs, comprising 20% reserve units, have been randomized and kept ready.
In the presence of representatives of recognized political parties, all the machines kept in the strong room of the corporation office were taken out. New batteries were fitted to the machines while the ballot papers bearing party symbols, names and photographs of the candidates were mounted on the ballot units and sealed. There is provision for voting for 16 candidates in each ballot unit. None of the above (NOTA) option comes last in the fifth ballot unit. In VVPAT a fresh paper roll was placed in the paper roll compartment and the compartment was sealed after loading the serial number, name and symbol of the candidates.
Election officials said the entire process would be completed in three days after which the machines would be handed over to the returning officer and kept in the strong room.
Mr Krishnanunni said micro observers and web cameras would monitor the polling process at 32 sensitive booths and additional security would be provided at these booths.