First level randomisation of voting machines held

A Correspondent

Hailakandi: To dispel doubts over security and reliability of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verified Paper Audit Trails (VVPATs), district administration and election officials here said that necessary security checks are being done at all levels to ensure free and fair general elections slated for April 18.

Hailakandi, Algapur and Katlicherra LACs fall under HP 1 Karimganj SC (reserved) constituency. The security system also involves a two-stage randomisation process in which machines will be randomly selected before reaching a polling station to ensure that the machines are not pre-programmed to favour a particular candidate. The first stage of randomisation of the machines took place at the district level here on Sunday in the presence of representatives of political parties such as the INC, BJP, AGP, AIUDF, NCP, CPI and CPI(M).

Deputy Commissioner cum Returning Officer, Keerthi Jalli assured the representatives of political parties that necessary arrangements will be put in place for ensuring a level playing field and conducting free, fair and transparent elections in the district.

CEO, Zilla Parishad, NKSK Singha, Election Officer, Rahul Doley, SDO (Sadar) Prodip Timung and other officials were also present. The second round of checking and randomisation will take place at the constituency level where machines are randomly selected on the basis of a computer programme to be sent to a polling booth. Officials said that this will help establish credibility of the poll process.

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