Tamil Nadu Assembly election: 250 more companies of paramilitary force to be deployed

In addition to the deployment of 50 companies of the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) that were inducted earlier this month, Union Ministry of Home Affairs has allotted 250 companies of CAPF to Tamil Nadu for conduct of safe, free and fair elections. These companies would be inducted on April 6 and 13. Other preparatory operations, including training of poll personnel, randomization of EVMs and VVPAT units were also underway.

The Election Commission of India has scheduled the first randomization of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and the Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) units for the April 23 Assembly election across Tamil Nadu for next week. The process would take place in all 38 districts of Tamil Nadu one of the days between March 23 and 25, according to an official release.

The first randomization of EVMs and VVPATs would be done through EVM Management System (EMS) by the District Election Officer concerned in the presence of the representatives of National and State recognised political parties. After completion of first randomization, lists of EVMs and VVPATs allocated Constituency-wise would be shared with all the National and State recognised political parties at district headquarters.

Thereafter, these EVMs and VVPATs would be provided to the Returning Officers/Assistant Returning Officers concerned for use in elections. “These EVMs and VVPATs will be stored in respective Assembly Strong Room in the presence of the representatives of National and State recognized political parties. After finalization of list of contesting candidates, the list of first randomized EVMs and VVPATs will be shared to all the contesting candidates also,” the release said.

On Thursday, a virtual training session on Presiding Officer mobile App (PRO App) was held to all the DEOs/ROs.