Election officials in Belgaum district sent electronic voting machines to polling stations on Tuesday. Deputy Commissioner and District Electoral Officer Nitesh Patil, along with ZP CEO and Electoral Officer of Chikkodi constituency Rahul Shinde, oversaw the operation.
The electronic voting machines were stored in an Election Commission of India warehouse located in Hindalga village. They were subsequently transported to the designated polling stations in the Assembly constituencies on Tuesday, under stringent security measures.
The allocation of the electronic voting machines occurred following the initial round of randomization. They were dispatched using GPS-enabled vehicles and are anticipated to arrive at their designated destinations before dawn on Wednesday. Each constituency will receive an additional 30% of EVMs, totaling 130%, to address any unforeseen circumstances such as technical malfunctions.
The EVMs were dispatched following the conclusion of the initial phase of randomization in accordance with the Election Commission’s directives. Subsequent randomization will occur in the Assembly constituencies, after which the EVMs will be stored in secure strong rooms located in the respective taluks.
The second phase of randomization will commence upon the arrival of the election observers, conducted in their presence along with representatives from political parties.
Mr. Patil mentioned that the allocation of EVMs to specific polling booths will only be disclosed after the completion of the second phase of randomization. Assistant Returning Officers, Deputy Divisional Officers, and Tahsildars from all 18 Assembly constituencies in the district were present during the dispatching process.
