EVM commissioning begins

Warangal: The process of electronic voting machine (EVM) commissioning has begun at the godowns of Enumamula Agriculture Market Yard here on Wednesday. General Observer Dr Veena Pradhan, Returning Officer Prashanth Jeevan Patil and Commissioner of Police Ravinder inspected the process.

The EVM commissioning for Warangal Parliamentary Constituency has started in the presence of engineers from ECIL, Patil said. The commissioning of EVMs selected randomly for the use in Warangal East, West, Wardhannapet and Parkal Assembly segments will be completed in three days, he said. The mock polling will be conducted on April 7 for which the candidates and their polling agents will select the EVMs randomly.

The officials also reviewed the arrangements for the distribution of EVMs ahead of April 11 polling. They also inspected the security arrangements at the strong rooms where EVMs to be stored after polling.

In another meeting, Dr Veena Pradhan told the micro-observers to record every incident that takes place during the April 11 polling. "Virtually, the micro-observers are like eyes and ears to Election Commission," she said.

Patil told the micro-observers to go through the manual so that they will be able to ensure free and fair elections. Returning officers K Venkat Reddy, N Ravi Kiran, Ch Mahender and Kishan were present.