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The Election Commission of India (ECI) has completed the first stage of randomisation of EVM-VVPATs for the upcoming Assembly elections in Assam, Kerala and Puducherry, along with by-elections in several states. This process is a crucial administrative step to ensure free, fair, and transparent elections.

What is EVM–VVPAT Randomisation?

• EVM–VVPAT randomisation is a software-driven allocation process through which voting machines are assigned to constituencies and polling stations in a completely unpredictable manner.
• The process is conducted using the EVM Management System (EMS), ensuring minimal human intervention and eliminating any scope for bias or manipulation.

Process of Randomisation

The allocation of machines follows a two-stage randomisation mechanism, designed to enhance transparency and security.

• In the first stage, machines that have successfully undergone First Level Checking (FLC) are randomly distributed from district warehouses to Assembly Constituencies. This stage has already been completed for the current elections.
• In the second stage, after the finalisation of contesting candidates, machines are further randomised and allocated to individual polling stations within each constituency. This ensures that the exact deployment of machines remains unknown until the final stage.

Key Features of the System

• The process is characterised by strong institutional safeguards. It is conducted by District Election Officers in the presence of representatives of recognised political parties, ensuring multi-stakeholder oversight.
• The details of allocated machines, including serial numbers, are shared transparently with political parties and candidates at each stage. Following the first randomisation, machines are stored in secure strong rooms under continuous surveillance, maintaining their integrity until deployment.
• The use of EMS ensures that the allocation is mathematical, automated, and free from discretionary interference.

Significance

The randomisation process plays a critical role in strengthening the credibility of India’s electoral system. By ensuring that no stakeholder knows in advance which machine will be used at a particular polling station, it effectively prevents any possibility of targeted manipulation.

The presence of political party representatives and the sharing of detailed lists enhance transparency and trust among stakeholders.

Overall, the process contributes to institutional integrity, electoral neutrality, and public confidence, which are essential for a robust democratic framework.