ITANAGAR, Jan 16: In view of the ensuing General Election Arunachal Pradesh 2024, a hands-on training and sensitization programme on Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) for representatives of political parties was organised at the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Nirvachan Bhawan, Itanagar, on Tuesday.
The primary objective of the training was to create awareness on the complete functioning of the EVMs and VVPATs and briefings on the voting process that takes place in the polling booth. The participants were also briefed on the protocols and Election Commission of India (ECI) instruction on EVM transportation and storage. 
The training was participated by representatives from eight political parties viz. Aam Aadmi Party(AAP), Gana Suraksha Party(GSP), People’s Party of Arunachal(PPA), Nationalist Congress Party(NCP)(Ajit Pawar), National People’s Party(NPP), Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee(APCC), Janta Dal (United)(JDU) and the Bhartiya Janta Party(BJP)
The OSD to CEO, Ira Singhal, welcomed all the representatives of the political parties and urged everyone to be attentive during the power point presentation on the subject. The state level master trainer, R K Sona presented a wholesome overview on EVM and VVPAT through a power point presentation. Later, DIO Yupia, Tad Issac demonstrated the functioning of EVM and VVPAT and allowed the participant to have a hands-on experience on the same. The SLMT enlightened the attendance that a M3 EVMs (Post 2013) can cater to a maximum of 384 candidates including NOTA by connecting 24 Balloting Units.
The Chief Electoral Officer, Pawan Kumar  Sain informed the participants that with a view to create massive awareness on EVM/VVPAT to all voters across the state, Mobile Demonstration Van are going to be launched on January 17 in all assembly constituencies. In compliance with the instructions of the Election Commission of India, 42 EVM Demonstration Centres have been set up and 74 EVM Mobile Demonstration Vans have been set up in all District Headquarters and the offices of the Returning Officers (ROs)across the state of Arunachal Pradesh. These are mainly set up to make the voters and citizens to have live experience on the use of EVM and VVPAT and sensitize them about the operations of the EVM. 
The representatives of the political parties actively participated in the sensitization programme and cleared their queries related to adding of candidates’ names during commissioning of EVM, De-Novo Protocols during shifting of EVMs from one district to another, security and vigilance of EVM strong room. They also put forth suggestions viz.increasing the number of flying squad teams for effective surveillance, possibility of counting of poll on the same day of poll, use of drones in unreachable shadow areas et al.
EVM is a standalone machine which is not connected with external world through wire or wi-fi or Bluetooth or any network and an unauthorized access detection module is embedded in the machine disables EVM permanently, if any attempt is made to access microcontroller or memory. The active participation of Political Parties and candidates is sought to witness the opening and sealing of warehouses and strongrooms, first level checking and candidate setting, randomisations, conduct of mock poll and signing on various paper seals. District Level Master Trainers on EVM have been trained at the state level, who will further train the District Election functionaries and polling personnel in the districts.
The meeting ended on a constructive note and the CEO announced that to enhance the accountability, responsibility and understanding amongst the stakeholders, the next meeting with the political parties would be convened on February 2 next.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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