Assam2026 Polls : EVM Scrutiny Begins as ECI Full Bench Arrives

• Operational Timeline: The FLC at Basistha Lalmatia will run daily from 9 AM to 7 PM, concluding on February 18.

• Expert Supervision: Ten ECIL engineers are tasked with certifying the functional health of hundreds of BU, CU, and VVPAT units.

• Institutional Presence: The visit of the ECI’s full bench underscores the strategic importance of the 2026 Assam polls in the national political landscape.

• Public Trust Measures: The use of live webcasting and mandatory presence of party representatives serves as a constitutional safeguard for electoral integrity.

GG News Bureau
Guwahati, Assam 16th February : As the vibrant state of Assam prepares for the high-stakes Assembly elections expected in the spring of 2026, the administrative machinery has officially shifted into high gear. Marking a critical step toward ensuring a “free and fair” electoral exercise—a cornerstone of Indian constitutional democracy—the First Level Checking (FLC) of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trails (VVPATs) commenced today, February 16, in the Kamrup Metropolitan district.

This technical scrutiny is not merely a routine check; it is the foundational layer of public trust. The three-day exercise is being held at the dedicated EVM/VVPAT warehouse in Basistha Lalmatia, under the direct supervision of the District Election Office.

Technical Precision Meets Democratic Oversight

According to the District Commissioner and District Election Officer, Swapneel Paul (IAS), the process is being handled with surgical precision. A specialized team of ten engineers from the Electronics Corporation of India Limited (ECIL) has been deputed to examine the hardware and software integrity of the machines. The inspection covers a significant cache of equipment, including at least 30 Ballot Units (BU), 550 Control Units (CU), and 70 VVPATs.

By conducting these checks months ahead of the March-April polling window, the Election Commission of India (ECI) aims to eliminate any technical glitches that could disrupt the sanctity of the ballot box.

A Shield of Transparency

In an era where the reliability of electronic voting is often under the microscope, the Kamrup (M) administration has doubled down on transparency. The entire FLC process is being webcast live, and representatives from all recognized national and state political parties are stationed at the warehouse. This collaborative oversight ensures that the political stakeholders are satisfied with the “fitness” of the machines before they are sealed for the upcoming polls.

High-Level Review: The ECI Full Bench Arrives

The start of the EVM checks coincides with a high-profile visit by the full bench of the Election Commission, led by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. Accompanied by Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, the CEC is on a three-day mission to gauge the state’s “battle-readiness.”

The Commission’s itinerary includes marathon meetings with police chiefs, district election officers, and central agencies to assess the security landscape and logistical hurdles. As the sun sets on their tour on February 18, the CEC is expected to address the media—a moment that many believe will signal the final countdown to the official election notification.