1. Mizoram election prepares for vote count with strict EVM security measures.
2. Senior official ensures EVMs sealed and under tight surveillance for safety.
3. Stringent steps taken to safeguard EVMs ahead of Mizoram vote tally.
Aizawl, April 22: In anticipation of the forthcoming counting of votes in the Mizoram Lok Sabha elections, stringent measures have been implemented to safeguard all Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) utilized during the polling process.
A senior election official disclosed that the EVMs have been securely sealed and are presently under rigorous surveillance.
The polling for Mizoram’s solitary Lok Sabha seat unfolded on April 19, with the vote tabulation slated for June 4.
H Lianzela, the Additional Chief Electoral Officer of Mizoram, revealed that the EVMs, in conjunction with the Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) machines, were meticulously transported from polling stations to designated strong rooms situated in Aizawl and 10 other district headquarters. This intricate operation was diligently executed by polling officials throughout Friday and Saturday.
A network of 40 strong rooms, each designated for an individual assembly constituency, has been established across the state. These strong rooms are subject to stringent security measures, with security forces deployed to deter any unauthorized access or tampering attempts.
Furthermore, the election department has erected 13 polling centers, including three in Aizawl, strategically dispersed throughout the state to ensure voter accessibility. Additionally, 40 counting halls, one allocated for each assembly segment, have been arranged for the meticulous vote tallying process.
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On Saturday, post-poll scrutiny of the EVMs and VVPAT machines was diligently conducted, reaffirming the integrity and reliability of the electoral process.
The election department reported a respectable polling turnout of 56.87 percent in the Lok Sabha polls, excluding votes cast through postal ballots and the Electronically Transmitted Postal Ballot System (ETPBS).
Out of an electorate totaling 8.56 lakh individuals, approximately 4.87 lakh voters exercised their franchise.
To uphold the tranquil conduct of elections, a robust security apparatus comprising over 3,500 police personnel and 12 companies of the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) was deployed. Consequently, the polling process unfolded in a peaceful environment conducive to democratic participation.
Six candidates are vying for the solitary Lok Sabha seat, representing diverse political entities such as the ruling Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM), the principal opposition Mizo National Front (MNF), Congress, BJP, People’s Conference (PC) party, and an independent candidate.
