By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: As part of the Election Commission’s preparations for the upcoming Assembly elections due in 2013, the first level checking (FLC) of electronic voting machines (EVMs) was carried out on Tuesday.
Chief Electoral Officer P Naik said the first level checking of the EVMs was done as per the direction of the Election Commission of India.
A team of engineers from the Electronics Corporation of India (ECIL), the manufacturer of these EVMs, conducted the checking at various places across the state amid tight security, Naik said.
Representatives from several parties including Congress, NCP, UDP, HSPDP and KHNAM took part in a mandatory mock poll to check for flaws in the machines.
The UDP had earlier expressed doubt about the efficacy of EVMs and preferred ballot voting.
Naik said a second level of
checking would be carried out later.
The entire process was monitored by an additional district magistrate under video surveillance.
It is learnt that that the State Election department has sought around 4000 good conditioned EVMs for around 2485 polling stations.
The official also said that a full-fledged team of the Election Commission of India is likely to visit the state in the first week of January to assess the state’s preparedness for the elections.
“They will also hold meetings with the political parties,” he said.
The CEO will also hold a meeting with the deputy commissioners and superintendents of police on Wednesday to review the prevailing law and order situation.
State Security Commission meet:
Meanwhile, in view of the upcoming Assembly elections, a meeting of the State Security Commission will be held on December 21.
The meeting has been called to discuss the prevailing law and order situation in certain parts of the state.
Leader of Opposition Conrad Sangma, who is one of the members of the committee, on Tuesday said the meeting would dwelt on the steps and precautions that are required to be taken in view of the Assembly elections due February -March next year.