BUDGAM: In preparation for the upcoming Bye-Election to the 27–Budgam Assembly Constituency, the Supplementary Randomization of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) was conducted today at Budgam under the supervision of District Election Officer (DEO) Dr. Bilal Mohi-ud-Din Bhat.
The randomization exercise was carried out through the EVM Management System (EMS) developed by the Election Commission of India (ECI), strictly adhering to the guidelines outlined in the Manual on Electronic Voting Machines.
Representatives from National and State Recognised Political Parties attended the process, ensuring complete transparency and compliance with established procedures.
During the exercise, 240 Ballot Units (BUs) were randomly selected for deployment. As the number of contesting candidates has risen to 17, two Ballot Units will be used at each polling station for the upcoming bye-election.
Following the completion of the process, constituency-wise lists of EVMs were generated and shared with representatives of recognised political parties, including the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Communist Party of India (Marxist), Indian National Congress, Jammu & Kashmir National Conference, and Jammu & Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), at the district headquarters.
The Returning Officer (RO) for 27–Budgam Assembly Constituency, Deputy DEO Budgam, District Informatics Officer (DIO), and other concerned officials were also present during the proceedings.
The randomized EVMs will now be handed over to the respective Returning Officers/Assistant Returning Officers for use during polling and stored securely in the designated Assembly Strong Room in the presence of representatives from recognised political parties.
Once the list of contesting candidates is finalised, details of the first randomization of EVMs will also be shared with all candidates.
The entire process was conducted in a transparent, fair, and systematic manner in line with the Election Commission of India’s guidelines, reaffirming the credibility and integrity of the electoral process.
