First phase randomisation held for 12 constituencies in Thoothukudi and Kanniyakumari districts

The first level randomisation of electronic voting machines (EVMs) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) for the 12 Assembly constituencies, six each in Thoothukudi and Kanniyakumari districts, was held on Monday.

In Thoothukudi, the process was initiated by Collector and District Election Officer K. Elambahavath in the presence of representatives of recognised political parties.

In Thoothukudi district, the first level of checking has been completed in a total of 4,560 Ballot Units (BU), 2,398 Control Units (CU) and 2,590 VVPAT machines. The machines are securely stored within the Collectorate premises. Out of these, 7% (131 units from each) have been used for training and creating awareness.

The remaining 4,429 BU, 2,267 CU and 2,459 VVPATs have been allocated constituency-wise through the first phase of randomisation using the Election Commission’s EMS (EVM Management System) 2.0 web portal.

The constituency-wise allocation under the first phase is as follows: Vilathikulam 328 BUs, 328 CUs, 356 VVPATs; Thoothukudi 432 BUs, 432 CUs, 468 VVPATs; Tiruchendur 368 BUs, 368 CUs, 399 VVPATs; Srivaikuntam 315 BUs, 351 CUs, 380 VVPATs; Ottapidaram 378 BUs, 378 CUs 409 VVPATs; and Kovilpatti 381 BUs, 381 CUs and 412 VVPATs.

The machines will be taken from the Collectorate on Tuesday in the presence of representatives of recognised political parties to designated places in each constituency. They will be scanned using EMS 2.0 mobile application and transported under strict police security in GPS-enabled sealed container trucks to the respective Assembly constituencies.

Subsequently, the machines will be stored at designated locations such as Ettayapuram taluk office for Vilathikulam constituency, Thoothukudi taluk office for Thoothukudi, Tiruchendur block development office for Tiruchendur, Srivaikuntam taluk office for Srivaikuntam, Old Ottapidaram taluk office for Ottapidaram and Kovilpati taluk office for Kovilpatti.

District Revenue Officer M. Guruchandran, Returning officers for six constituencies and other officials were present.

In Kanniyakumari district, the first level randomisation was held at district collectorate in Nagercoil under the leadership Kanniyakumari District Collector and District Election Officer R. Alagumeena and election observers deployed for the six constituencies in the district.

The number BUs, CUs and VVPATs allocated for each constituency in Kanniyakumari district are as follows: Kanniyakumari 435 BUs, 435 CUs, 471 VVPATs, Nagercoil 386 BUs, 386 CUs, 418 VVPATs, Colachel 379 BUs, 379 CUs, 410 VVPATs, Padhmanabhapuram 374 BUs, 374 CUs, 405 VVPATs, Vilavancode 361 BUs, 361 CUs, 391 VVPATs and Killiyoor 360 BUs, 360 CUs and 390 VVPATs.

Ms. Algumeena said that if there are any defects in allocated units, 381 BUs, 381 CUs and 571n VVPATs have been kept in ready condition.

Returning officers of six constituencies, members of recognised political parties and other officials were present.