Chirang all set to conduct Assam Assembly Election on April 6

OUR CORRESPONDENT

KOKRAJHAR: The commissioning of the EVMs (Electronic Voting Machines and VVPATs Voters Verifiable Paper Audit Trail) to be used for the ensuing assembly elections in 31- Sidli (ST) Legislative Assembly Constituency (LAC) on April 6 was completed in Chirang election district on Tuesday.

The Deputy Commissioner of Chirang-cum-Returning Officer of 31- Sidli (ST) LAC, GautamTalukdar, General Observer for 31- Sidli (ST) LAC Ajay Yadav and Expenditure Observer V. Ramanadha Reddy visited the commissioning venue and took stock of the process. The overall process was carried out under the supervision of Additional Deputy Commissioner Anupam Deka and Election Officer Parta Pratim Baruah in the presence of election agents of all contesting candidates of the constituency.

The entire procedure of commissioning of the EVMs and VVPATs was done only after a mock poll to ensure the flawless functioning of the machines as per directions of the Election Commission of India (ECI) by the trained staff appointed for this purpose with the help of engineers from ECIL (Electronics Corporation of India Limited).

A total of 392 EVMs with 20 per cent reserve and 421 VVPATs with 29 per cent reserve have been allocated to 31- Sidli (ST) LAC against its 326 polling stations. After the commissioning, engineers from ECIL uploaded the symbols in the EVM machines, and then machines were sealed and shifted to the strong room which has been set up at the ware house for EVMs and VVPATs at Kajalgaon. The machines are stored under 24×7 CCTV surveillance and are guarded by central armed police forces.

Simultaneously, the Chirang election district is all set to conduct assembly election in 31- Sidli (ST) LAC slated to be held on April 6 as it has so far completed all the election preparedness tasks. It has arranged all basic requirements under Assured Minimum Facilities provision at all polling stations and vehicles as per requirement. Sufficient manpower and materials have been kept ready for maintaining COVID-19 protocol on the day of poll and imparting training to polling personnel, construction works of temporary sheds for distribution and receiving of polling materials have also been completed by them. Postal ballot voting of 80 years above people, People with Disabilities, persons engaged in essential services, including polling personnel and official staff, are underway at designated locations.

From the security point of view, the district civil authority and police authority have already jointly reviewed the probable situation during the election period and decided to place necessary security positions.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police of Chirang district have held meetings with top officials of security forces, Additional SP, SDPO, DSP, all OCs and ICs of the district to brief the duties and responsibilities of all ranks with an aim of conducting peaceful election in both Chirang and Bijni election districts.

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