Gangtok, 27 Feb (IPR): With barely three months left for General Elections, today as per direction of Election Commission of India, EVM VVPAT Units have been shifted from East District warehouse located at CEO office, Gangtok to West district, South district and North district EVM VVPAT warehouses.
The Strong Room was opened with the permission of ADC East (Hq), Mr. J.C. Namgyal, who is also the Nodal Officer for EVM VVPAT Management for East district. The Nodal Officers for EVM VVPAT Management of the districts, SDM Mangan, Mr. Samdup Bhutia, SDM Yangyang, Mr. Tshering Gyatso Bhutia, DFO West, Mr. Tenzing Norbu Bhutia and officers and IT staffs of the office of the CEO, Sikkim were also present.
Members from political parties Mr. Raj Kumar (SDF) CEC Member, Mr. Krishna Sharma (SKM) Vice President East District also witnessed the opening of the warehouse and shifting of EVM VVPAT Units.
All the activities of EVMs and VVPATs are now monitored by EVMS (EVM Management System). The New EVM Management System has two components, first is the Web based application and second is a Mobile application. The Web Based Application has core functionalities related to EVM management process used by users like Manufacture, ECI, CEOs, DEOs and Warehouse in charge, whereas the Mobile Application supports application used by temporary users mainly for scanning at warehouse level during sending and receiving in AC Strong Room after first randomization.
The total number of EVM Units shifted to South District is 112 (BU), 115 (CU) and 161 VVPATs, followed by 41 (BU) 46 (CU) and 54 VVPATs to North District and 82 (BU), 87(CU) and 78 VVPATs to West District respectively.
All the EVM VVPAT Units are collected by Executive Magistrate from the respective district concerned. A tracking device has been installed in the vehicle carrying EVM Units as per the norms of Election Commission Of India to monitor and keep track of EVM Units during the transit which is monitored by DEOs and CEO Office. Strict SOP for security is also being followed . The vehicle is being accompanied by armed guards and executive magistrates throughout the transit.
