EVMs, VVPATs despatched to eight Assembly constituencies in Erode dt.
As many as 10,970 polling personnel will be on duty for whom randomisation has been completed; Women polling officers will not be posted in hilly areas; facilities are ensured at the polling stations, says Collector Raja Gopal Sunkara
Electronic voting machines (EVMs), voterverified paper audit trails (VVPATs) and other poll materials that will be used during the Lok Sabha polls on April 19 were sent to eight Assembly constituencies in the district on Friday.
District Election Officer and Collector Raja Gopal Sunkara along with representatives of political parties supervised the despatch at strong room on the premises of the Erode Revenue Divisional Office.
Addressing media persons, the Collector said randomisation was completed and a total of 2,663 ballot units, 2,663 control units and 2,885 VVPATs would be used in 2,222 polling stations in the district. Twenty per cent of EVMs (441) and 30% of VVPATs (663) would be kept as reserves, he said and added that additional machines were also kept ready.
He said machines would be despatched on Friday and Saturday and would be kept in strong rooms under tight security in the respective constituencies.
Mr. Raja Gopal Sunkara said toll free number 18004250424 had received 23 electionrelated complaints while cVIGIL app had received 10 complaints and actions were taken. All the 25 flying squads, 24 static surveillance teams, eight video monitoring teams and eight video viewing teams were actively monitoring the implementation of the model code of conduct, he said.
The Collector said the teams had, so far, seized ₹93,23,078 of unaccounted cash while after submitting valid documents, the committee had returned ₹22.64 lakh. To a question that cash was seized from small traders and people, the
Collector asked them to carry valid documents if carrying cash over ₹50,000. “It is election time and carrying documents is necessary,” he added.
The Collector said 10,970 polling personnel would be on duty for whom randomisation had been completed.
“Women polling officers will not be posted in hilly areas in the district,” he said and added that facilities at the polling stations were ensured.
Krishnagiri
The distribution of EVMs and VVPATs to the six Assembly segments began in Krishnagiri on Friday under the supervision of political party representatives with the process monitored by heavily armed security personnel.
The distribution began upon the completion of first schedule randomisation of the ballot units,
control units and VVPATs on Thursday.
Collector K.M. Sarayu supervised the distribution of the EVMs and VVPATs. The EVMs and VVPATs that included 2,267 ballot units, 2,267 control units, and 2,455 VVPATs for the 1,888 polling booths were distributed to the six Assembly segments.
The EVMs and VVPATs for Uthangarai Assembly constituency will be secured at the Block Development Office; for Bargur, the EVMs will be secured at the Taluk office; for Krishnagiri, they will be secured on the taluk office campus in Krishnagiri; for Vepanapalli, at the taluk office in Shoolagir; for Hosur, at the Government Arts College and for Thally Assembly constituency, at the taluk office in Denkanikottai. the