Bhubaneswar, April 8: The random mixing of ballot units and control units in electronic voting machines (EVMs) has been conducted at BJB College today.
The mixing was done through use of computers in presence of agents of political parties, senior election officials and observers to ensure transparent and fair process.
The software was supplied by the Election Commission of India (ECI). There are 2,104 EVMs at BJB College for five Assembly constituencies — Bhubaneswar (Ekamra), Bhubaneswar (central) and Bhubaneswar (north), Jaydev and Jatni.
While 1,052 EVMs will be for Assembly constituencies, equal number of EVMs are there for the Lok Sabha seats. There will be around 100 extra EVMs to meet any situation arising out of technical snag.
Officer in charge of EVMs at BJB College Harish Nayak said: “Booth-wise allotment of EVMs will be done on April 10 and 11. All the stages will be recorded for future references.”
While the EVMs are being made ready for polling, presiding officers and poll officials are undergoing training at the Government Boys’ High School at Unit-I. Trainer Subhranshu Mishra said: “The officials were also briefed how to cast their postal ballot as they will be out on their poll duty.”
The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation has intensified awareness campaign to increase the level of electoral participation by voters in the ensuing general elections.
“Yesterday, we started a signature campaign near Draupadi College of Science to make people aware of their right to vote during the car festival of Lord Lingaraj. As the rath yatra remained incomplete on Monday after 6pm, we utilised the occasion today to educate the voters. A similar signature campaign was also launched at Red Cross Bhavan on the occasion of World Health Day yesterday,” said Mishra.
The civic body today organised a meeting of sponsors to take part in making the “Vote Bhubaneswar Vote” campaign more popular among college students.
“The signature campaign-cum-awareness drive will include students of Rama Devi Women’s College within a day or two and other leading institutions will also follow,” Mishra said.
