Tamil Nadu kicks off first-level EVM, VVPAT checks ahead of 2026 polls
Tamil Nadu kicks off first-level EVM, VVPAT checks ahead of 2026 polls
Tamil Nadu starts statewide first-level EVM and VVPAT checks as officials prep for the 2026 assembly elections, with nodal officers ensuring quality and transparency.
Tamil Nadu has begun the first-level checking of electronic voting machines (EVMs) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPATs) across districts, as preparations for the 2026 general elections to the Legislative Assembly gather pace. The state’s Chief Electoral Officer, Archana Patnaik, said the exercise aims to ensure only EVMs and VVPATs that pass stringent checks are deployed at polling stations.
The Election Commission of India has deployed 13 EVM nodal officers from different states to oversee the readiness, quality checks, and storage of EVMs and VVPATs in Tamil Nadu. The first-level checking is being monitored at the district level by the District Election Officer, the CEO, and the Commission.
Recognized political parties at national and state levels have been asked to authorize their representatives at district headquarters to witness the checks. Before every election, EVMs and VVPATs identified for use are subjected to a thorough verification, with only those passing the process cleared for polling.
On Wednesday, December 10, the CEO convened a meeting with nodal enforcement officers to map Expenditure Sensitivity Constituencies (ESCs) for the upcoming assembly elections, outlining the empirical criteria given by the ECI and seeking inputs.
In Chennai, Chennai District Election Officer and Greater Chennai Corporation Commissioner J. Kumaraguruburaran led an inspection alongside officials and representatives of recognized political parties. This on-ground activity reflects the broader push to ensure transparency and credibility in the electoral process across Tamil Nadu. The presence of enforcement agency nodal officers and party observers aims to bolster oversight at the district level, complementing the centrality of the EVM-VVPAT verification.
Officials stressed that the first-level checking is part of a multi-stage verification designed to prevent malfunctions or tampering and to ensure that only validated equipment is used in polling booths. The ESC mapping discussed in the December 10 meeting will help the Commission focus attention on potentially sensitive constituencies, as part of expenditure monitoring requirements ahead of the polls. Tamil Nadu’s election machinery reiterated its commitment to groundwork that facilitates a smooth, orderly election in 2026, with more district-level inspections likely to follow in the weeks ahead.
Cover image source: First level checking of EVMs, VVPATs commences in districts 🔗
