Poll Preparations in Full Swing in Churachandpur

Preparations for the ensuing General Election to Lok Sabha in respect of Churachandpur District is going on in full throttle as second round of training for polling personnel, second randomisation and commissioning of EVM/VVPAT for the four Assembly segments of Churachandpur and special polling stations began today.

The second round of training for male polling personnel (party-wise)in respect of 57-Henglep (ST), 59-Saikot (ST), and 60-Singhat (ST) Assembly Segments was held at Churachandpur Government Collegetoday. The training will go on till tomorrow where female personnel would be imparted trainings at the same venue.

On the other hand, the second randomization and commissioning of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trial (VVPAT) machines was carried out today at the Strong Room Building, Mini-Secretariat Complex, Tuibong.

The training for the polling personnel was conducted under the auspices of S. Thienlaljoy Gangte, Nodal Officer (Training Management), Lalthanzam Fimate, Nodal Officer (Manpower) and Soiminlian Lengen, Nodal Officer (Postal Ballot).

During the training sessions, master trainers of the district imparted comprehensive training to the personnel which included setting up of polling stations; functioning of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs); role of the Presiding Officers; Polling Officers I & II; Sector Officers; the do’s and don’ts and many other rules and electoral procedures that need to be followed effectively on election day.

Further, trainees were also briefed on the necessity to conduct Mock poll to ensure proper functioning of the EVMs machines one hour before the election start.  Training on handling EVMs,and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) machines sequence from the commencement to the conclusion of polling, including proper proceduresfor sealing polling materials during the voting process to minimize disruptions and ensure a fairness were the key topics covered in the training sessions.

The training of female polling personnel will be heldon April 6 for 58-Churachandpur(ST) A/C, 59-Saikot (ST) A/C and in addition to polling personnel for 15 special polling stations for Internal Displaced Persons (IDP) or specified voters.

It may be mentioned that there are 274 Polling Stations in the district and out of which 110 Polling Station will be operated only by Women Polling  Personnel . In addition, 15 Polling Stations are also planned especially for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

Meanwhile, the second randomization of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trial (VVPAT) machines was carried out today at the Strong Room Building, Mini-Secretariat Complex, Tuibong.

The randomization process was conducted in the presence of representatives from various political parties, election agents, the Additional District Election Officer, Assistant Returning Officers (AROs), and other officials from the four Assembly segments of the district.

The EVM Management System (EMS) 2.0 software was used to carry out the entire randomization process. Following this, all EVMs, which include the Control Unit (CU), Ballot Unit (BU), and VVPAT machines, will be allocated to their respective polling stations located in the four Legislative Assembly segments.

The randomization was followed by the commissioning and preparation of EVMs and VVPATs at the designated Commissioning Room with ECIL engineers. This was overseen by the concerned Assistant Returning Officers of the four Assembly segments, as well as the ARO for Special Polling Stations for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) for the 2 Inner Manipur PC and 13 Outer Manipur PC.

A mock poll was also conducted today to test the proper functioning of the voting machines.

The four Assembly segments of Churachandpur District which fall under 2-Outer Manipur Parliamentary Constituency will go to the polls on April 19.