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Assam Election Prep Complete: 41,000+ EVMs Commissioned for April 9 Polls

The Election Commission of India has successfully completed the commissioning of Electronic Voting Machines and VVPAT units across all 126 Assembly constituencies in Assam for the upcoming polls. Over 41,000 ballot units have been configured for use in the election scheduled for April 9, with the process conducted transparently in the presence of candidates. In a parallel enforcement drive, authorities have seized cash, liquor, drugs, and other items worth approximately Rs 97 crore in the state to prevent inducements. The Commission has held extensive review meetings with top officials to ensure free, fair, and intimidation-free elections.

Key Points: Assam Assembly Elections: EVM Commissioning Completed for All 126 Seats

  • EVM commissioning done for all 126 Assam seats
  • Over 41,000 ballot units ready for April 9 election
  • Rs 97 crore in cash, liquor, drugs seized pre-poll
  • Process conducted transparently with candidates present
2 min read

Assam: ECI completes EVM commissioning across all 126 Assembly constituencies

ECI completes EVM & VVPAT commissioning for Assam's 126 constituencies. Over Rs 97 crore in cash, liquor, and contraband seized ahead of April 9 polls.

"The successful completion of the commissioning process marks a significant milestone in election preparedness - Election Commission Statement"

New Delhi, April 5

The Election Commission of India on Sunday said that the process of commissioning Electronic Voting Machines with candidate settings for the 2026 Assam Legislative Assembly elections has been successfully completed across all 126 Assembly constituencies in the state.

Over 41,000 ballot units will be used in the election scheduled for April 9, according to an official statement.

The EVM commissioning exercise was carried out from March 31 to April 4 at designated premises notified by the respective District Election Officers.

The process was conducted in the presence of contesting candidates or their authorised representatives, ensuring full transparency and adherence to prescribed guidelines, the statement said.

Authorised engineers and technical personnel from the Electronics Corporation of India Ltd. (ECIL) assisted in the commissioning process to ensure accuracy, reliability and proper configuration of the machines, it added.

A total of 41,320 Ballot Units (BU), 43,975 Control Units (CU), and 43,997 Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) units have been commissioned for use in the forthcoming polls. These include reserve machines to be utilised, if required, across 31,490 polling stations in Assam.

The successful completion of the commissioning process marks a significant milestone in election preparedness, reinforcing the Election Commission's commitment to conducting free, fair and transparent elections, the statement said.

In another development, the ECI said that flying squads and surveillance teams have seized Rs 4 crore in cash in the state in the run-up to the election.

Apart from cash, 6,84,627 litres of liquor, worth Rs 20 crore, has also been confiscated in Assam.

The ECI said that drugs worth Rs 56 crore, precious metals worth Rs 4 crore, and other freebies valued at Rs 13 crore have been seized in the state till April 5.

The total value of cash, contraband and freebies recovered in Assam so far stands at Rs 97 crore, the ECI said.

The Commission has held multiple review meetings with Chief Secretaries, Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs), Directors General of Police (DGPs), and senior officers from the five poll-bound states/UTs and their 12 bordering states/UTs, along with heads of enforcement agencies. It has directed them to ensure violence-free, intimidation-free and inducement-free elections, the statement added.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
The seizure figures are staggering! Rs 97 crore worth of cash, liquor, and freebies? It shows how deep the problem of money power in elections runs. While the EVM process seems robust, the real challenge is curbing this on-ground inducement. ECI must keep the pressure up.
R
Rohit P
Technical preparedness is one thing, but what about the security situation in some areas? Hope the coordination with bordering states mentioned in the article is effective in preventing any untoward incidents. Peaceful polling is as important as transparent EVMs.
S
Sarah B
As an observer, I find India's electoral scale mind-boggling. Commissioning over 1.2 lakh EVM/VVPAT units for one state is a massive logistical feat. The involvement of ECIL engineers adds a layer of technical credibility. Hope the execution on polling day matches the preparation.
V
Vikram M
While the process seems thorough, I still have reservations. We hear about these transparent procedures every election, yet doubts persist among a section of voters. Maybe a nationwide demonstration of the EVM's entire chain, from manufacturing to polling, would help. Just a thought.
K
Kavya N
The focus is always on EVMs, but the VVPAT is the real hero for voter confidence. Knowing there's a paper trail I can verify is reassuring. Hope they ensure every VVPAT unit is functioning perfectly. Jai Hind!

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