Gopalganj, October 25 (NEWS IN BIHAR). The second randomization of electronic voting machines in the district under the Bihar Assembly general elections was completed with complete transparency on Saturday. This process was done by the election officials as per the guidelines of the Election Commission of India. The work of randomization was held in the morning in the Collectorate Hall, Gopalganj, in which all the major candidates contesting the elections, their representatives and election observers deputed by the Election Commission of India were present.

This technical and administrative process of secondary randomization was completed through the EMM portal. During this, the EVM machines selected in the first randomization were randomly allocated polling station wise. Along with this, an accurate distribution list of machines was prepared according to the number of polling stations, which was shared with the concerned candidates and their authorized representatives.

The machines which are not to be used at polling stations after randomization are kept separately as secure EVMs and VVPATs. Secure machines will be used only in situations where for any reason a machine is found to be malfunctioning or inoperative on the day of polling.

Strict protocols laid down by the Election Commission have been implemented for the security of these machines. This entire process was completed simultaneously for six assembly constituencies of the district, 99-Baikunthpur, 100-Barauli, 101-Gopalganj, 102-Kuchayakot, 103-Bhore and 104-Hathua.

On this occasion, concerned returning officers, team of technical experts, senior officials of the district administration and representatives of all parties were present. Random selection of EVMs, serial numbers, and security arrangements of the machines were also demonstrated during the process.

Election officials said that the Election Commission of India officials said that the purpose of this process of randomization is to ensure transparency and fairness in the voting system, so that there is no possibility of any kind of irregularity at any level. Sealing, tracking and storage work of all the machines is also being done as per the guidelines of the Commission.

After completion of the second randomization, the list of allotted EVMs polling station wise and the list of secured machines have been made available to all the candidates. Now these EVMs will be used at the respective polling stations on the scheduled polling day.

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/ Akhilanand Mishra