Ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trial (VVPAT) machines arrived here on Wednesday that was placed at the strong room at the Collectorate in the presence of representatives of recognised political parties.
There are 11 Lok Sabha constituencies in the district and 8,154 Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), 4,863 control units and 4,581 VVPATs were verified and kept at the strong room that is guarded by armed police personnel. The Election Commission of India had allotted EVMs, VVPATs to be used for Lok Sabha elections in Erode, Namakkal, Dharmapuri and Krishnagiri districts.
Machines that arrived from Bharat Electronics Limited, Bengaluru, include, Erode (200 VVPATs), Namakkal (150 VVPATs), Krishnagiri (350 EVMs, 300 Control Units, 700 VVPATs) and Dharmapuri (300 EVMs, 300 Control Units and 800 VVPATs).
The strong room was opened in the presence of District Election Officer and District Collector Rohini R. Bhajibhakare and representatives of recognised political parties and the VVPATs were kept inside it. She also inspected the strong room and held discussions with the representatives.
District Revenue Officer R. Divakar, Collector Personal Assistant (General) G. Ravichandran, Tahsildar (Election) Tirumavalavan and other officials were present.