Press Release : Office of the Chief Electoral Officer, Odisha

EVMs IN BYE ELECTIONS TO 71-NUAPADA A.C.

A political party has brought an allegation against the District Election Officer-cum- Collector, Nuapada, that he had illegally and fraudulently brought a truckload of Electronic Voting Machines from Ganjam District on 9.11.2025. A particular news channel telecast this news without verifying it with this office. This is a very serious allegation, therefore this office felt it expedient to explain the rules and directions of the Election Commission on the security of EVMs for the knowledge of people and voters at large.

EVMs and VVPATs are stored in District EVM warehouses under double lock and key in all the 30 Districts, as per ECI protocol; these warehouses are guarded by police round the clock, with 24X 7 CCTV surveillance, Log book entry etc. The Collectors carry out Monthly and Quarterly Inspections. These inspections are recorded and reported.

The EVM warehouse of Ganjam district was not at all opened in this entire month, even the monthly Warehouse Inspection is yet to be done. The CCTV feed from Ganjam has been verified; no truck had entered or exited the two EVM warehouses in Ganjam in the near past.

There are 358 polling stations in 71-Nuapada AC; as per the instructions of the Commission, a total of 720 sets of EVMs ( i.e. 720 Balloting Units, 720 Control Units and 720 no. of VVPATs ( i.e. 200% of the requirement of EVMs / VVPATs) were requisitioned for purpose of  First Level Checking. These EVMs were entirely drawn from the stock already available within the district of Nuapada. No EVMs were brought from any other district, nor any EVMs were taken out of the district during this entire period of Bye-election.

As per the instructions of the ECI, EVMs are prepared for polls in four steps:

First Level Checking (FLC): the EVMs in the district, are tested for functionality and physical firmness; the non-functional EVMs are set aside and sent for repair afterwards. Out of the working EVMs, some EVMs are taken out as Training & Awareness EVMs for the purpose of training the Polling Personnel and general awareness of public.

1^st Randomisation: out of the EVMs that passed the FLC, 160% of EVM (BU + CU) and 170% of VVPATS were selected in presence of the recognized Political Parties for eventual handing over to RO for the Poll.

2^nd Randomisation out of the 1^st Randomisation list, EVMs required for polls (= no. of Polling Stations + reserve) are selected; these EVMs/VTs are assigned to each of the Polling Stations. Rest of the EVMs/VTs are automatically listed as Reserve EVMs to meet exigencies during the Poll.

Commissioning: ‘Commissioning’ means inserting the ballot paper in the Ballot Unit, loading the symbols in VVPATs & setting the number of contesting candidates in Control Unit, therafter sealing all the machines.

(Randomisation is a procedure in which a computer will randomly select EVMs out of  a larger database of EVMs/VTs. The software for 1^st and 2^nd Randomization are provided in EMS (EVM Management Software) by ECI.)

In case of the present Bye Election to 71-Nuapada AC, these steps were carried out as follows:

First Step –  (FLC): As per ECI instruction, First level Checking  (FLC) of EVMs must be conducted within 30 days of vacancy of Assembly seat. This was carried out by ECIL Engineers from 22-09-25 to 26-09-25 in presence of district level representatives of recognized National/ State Political parties in Nuapada.  After F.L.C., the entire list of Serial Numbers of EVMs and VVPATs which were in working condition was shared with Political Parties and acknowledgments obtained.

Second Step – 1^st Randomisation: done on Dt. 09-10-2025 by DEO & Collector, Nuapada in presence of Political Parties. A total list containing 160% EVMs and 170% of VVPATs (actual requirement for Bye Election), randomly generated by Computer, was shared with the Political Parties with proper acknowledgements. A proceeding was drawn for the 1^st Randomization and the list of machines selected for handing over to Returning Officer (RO) was provided to the political parties.

Immediately after 1^st Randomization, the EVMs / VTs ( as per list shared with Pol. Parties) were physically shifted to National College, Nuapada which is declared as the Returning Officer’s Strong room for this Bye-election.

Third Step – 2^nd Randomisation: On Dt.27-10-2025 morning, all the EVMs / VVPATs available at  R.O. Strong room at National College were put under 2^nd Randomization in presence of ECI Observer and Contesting Candidates/ their Election Agents/ authorized representatives as per ECI protocol. The list of 358 BUS, 358 CUs and 358 VVPATs  meant for specific booths and  Reserve list ( as per 2^nd Randomization ) was distributed to Candidates / Election Agents against acknowledgements. A Proceeding was also drawn and preserved for reference.

Fourth Step – Commissioning: The Commissioning of EVMs & VVPATs for the poll was carried out from 27-10-2025 to 29-10-2025 as per the 2^nd Randomized list. A few EVMs/ VVPATs which were found non functional were also replaced.   The list of EVM/VVPAT  units which were found non-functional and replaced during Commissioning ( i.e. 03 BUs, 11 CUs and 04 VVPATs) were also again shared with all contesting  Candidates.

Since that day, all EVMs and VVPATs were maintained in R.O. level Strong room till date under strict custody of R.O. , Police and CAPF under CCTV surveillance  with Double Lock and Keys system. Today,  i.e., 10-11-2025, the RO Strong room was opened under videography in presence of Contesting Candidates or their representatives, and the machines are being handed over to Presiding Officers of all 358 Booths at the Dispersal Centre. In addition, designated Reserve EVMs will be given to sector Officers to meet exigencies.

Every BU, CU and VVPAT carries a unique serial number. The paper seals for sealing the EVM are also given unique serial numbers. All these serial numbers  are shared with the candidates; the candidates will share the serial numbers with their Polling Agents; before the mock poll commences tomorrow, the Polling Agents of the Candidates are entitled to verify that the same EVM (BU + CU + VVPAT) is used for polling by comparing the numbers on the machines with the numbers provided to them by their Candidates.

After completion of the polls, the Presiding Officer will obtain the signature of the Polling Agents in a format called “Account of Votes”, and attach it to the EVM. On the day of counting, before the EVM is opened for counting, the Counting Agents of the Candidates at the counting tables can once again verify the serial number of the EVM.

Thus, at every stage, all activities are done in a transparent manner involving the Candidates/Political Parties with due prior notice. Their participation is also recorded, the list of EVMs is provided to them and their acknowledgements are obtained. The protocols of the ECI are inviolable and carried out exactly as laid down.

The said political party presented a memorandum yesterday, on which they were requested to provide substantiating evidence, such as the location of the said truck or the truck’s registration number; however, no such evidence was provided. It is not possible for any Collector, or any person, to acquire a truckload of EVMs from another district’s warehouse or to commission them for polls as alleged in the memorandum.  The allegation is insidious, such baseless allegations destroy people’s faith in the election process.

We appeal to the people of Odisha not to give credence to baseless allegations. It is simply not possible for anyone to carry out the activities alleged in the said representation.