Kamal Kumar Biswas.TOD.Balurghat
In a methodical step toward ensuring electoral integrity, the District Election Office in Dakshin Dinajpur on Saturday carried out the first round of randomization of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trails (VVPATs) ahead of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly Elections 2026.
The exercise unfolded within the Atryee Meeting Hall at the Collectorate Building, where officials deployed the EVM Management System to assign machines to various Assembly constituencies. The process, designed to eliminate bias and reinforce transparency, adhered closely to the guidelines set forth by the Election Commission of India.Representatives from a spectrum of recognized political parties—including AAP, AITC, BJP, BSP, and CPI(M)—were present to observe the proceedings, lending an additional layer of accountability. Their participation underscored the administration’s effort to maintain confidence across the political landscape.
This phase of allocation covered six constituencies: Kushmandi (SC), Kumarganj, Balurghat, Tapan (ST), Gangarampur (SC), and Harirampur. Upon completion, detailed lists of the randomized EVMs and VVPATs were distributed to the attending party representatives at the district headquarters.Election officials indicated that the machines will now be transferred to the custody of Returning Officers and secured in designated strong rooms under stringent surveillance protocols. These measures are intended to safeguard the integrity of the equipment until polling day.
Further disclosures regarding the allocation will follow once the final roster of contesting candidates is established. At that stage, candidates themselves will be furnished with the relevant details of the randomized machines.The District Election Officer reaffirmed that each procedural step is being conducted in strict compliance with established norms, emphasizing the administration’s commitment to delivering a free, fair, and transparent electoral process.
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