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West Bengal Election Transparency: Parties Invited to EVM-VVPAT Checks

The Election Commission is taking steps to ensure election transparency in West Bengal. Political party representatives will be invited to witness EVM and VVPAT checking sessions starting January. This move addresses past allegations of EVM malfunctioning raised by opposition parties. The 2026 elections will require significantly more voting machines due to a 17% increase in polling booths.

Key Points: ECI Invites Political Parties to EVM VVPAT Checks for 2026 Bengal Polls

  • ECI invites political party representatives during EVM-VVPAT checking sessions for transparency
  • Checking process to begin in January 2025 for 2026 Assembly polls
  • Opposition parties previously alleged EVM malfunctioning during voting
  • 17% increase in polling booths requires 1.30 lakh EVMs and VVPATs
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Political parties' representatives to be invited during EVM, VVPAT checking ahead of 2026 West Bengal polls

Election Commission invites political party representatives to witness EVM and VVPAT checking sessions ahead of 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections for transparency.

"Typically, the total requirement of EVM and VVPAT machines is calculated on the number of booths plus 30 per cent reserve. - Election Commission Official"

Kolkata, Nov 21

The Election Commission of India (ECI), on Friday, has decided to invite representatives of different political parties registered with the commission to be present during the sessions for checking the electronic voting machines (EVMs) and voter-verifiable paper audit trail (VVPAT) units that would be used for the forthcoming Assembly elections in West Bengal next year, officials said.

The checking of the EVMs and the VVPATs will start from January.

The decision to invite the representatives of the registered political parties at the time of checking the EVMs and the VVPATs is aimed at bringing transparency in the system.

In the past, there had been allegations by opposition parties of EVM malfunctioning on the polling day.

The opposition parties have alleged that in certain cases, although the EVM button was pressed in favour of one candidate, the vote was cast in favour of another candidate.

However, the commission had every time debunked the allegations and have scientific evidence to prove why such allegations were totally baseless.

The requirement for EVMs and VVPATs in the 2026 Assembly polls will be significantly higher than in previous elections, owing to a nearly 17 per cent increase in polling booths compared to the 2024 Lok Sabha and 2021 state Assembly polls.

"Typically, the total requirement of EVM and VVPAT machines is calculated on the number of booths plus 30 per cent reserve. Going by that calculation, the total requirement of EVM machines will be around 1.30 lakh and an equal number of VVPAT machines," an official said.

Explaining the reason behind the increase in the number of booths, the official added that, as per the directive of the ECI, this time the total number of voters in a single booth should not exceed 1,200, and hence, to accommodate that, the number of booths had to be increased.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

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Sarah B
While I appreciate the transparency effort, I hope this doesn't become another political drama. Both ruling and opposition parties should approach this with responsibility rather than using it for political point-scoring.
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Priya S
Good decision! VVPAT is essential for voter confidence. When I see that paper slip confirming my vote, I feel assured that my vote has been recorded correctly. More booths with fewer voters is also a smart move to reduce crowding. 👍
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Arjun K
West Bengal elections are always high-stakes. This transparency measure should help reduce post-election controversies. Hope all parties send their technical experts, not just political workers, to properly verify the machines.
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Vikram M
The increase from 1200 voters per booth is much needed! I remember waiting for hours in previous elections. This will make voting more accessible for elderly and differently-abled citizens. Good planning by ECI.
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Michael C
As an observer of Indian democracy, I find these systematic improvements impressive. The scale of organizing elections in India is massive, and these transparency measures show commitment to electoral integrity.

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