EVMs successfully tracked using mobile technology in Meghalaya

Meghalaya has successfully conducted an exercise to ensure that mobile technology is implemented during elections across the state to track EVMs.

Meghalaya has successfully conducted an exercise to ensure that mobile technology is implemented during elections across the state to track EVMs as per the instruction of the Election Commission.

Election Commission officials seal an electronic voting machine (EVM) at a polling station in Dibrugarh. (AFP File Photo)

A pilot exercise was initiated successfully for 330 numbers of balloting units and for 288 numbers of control units in West Jaintia Hills district as per instructions of the EC,” Meghalaya chief electoral officer Frederick R Kharkongor told PTI on Friday.

During the exercise the EVMs were tagged with bar codes and subsequently mobile phones were used to upload information and unique IDs of each and every EVM, he said, adding the same was immediately uploaded to a mobile application linked to a server located at Election Commission.

Also, images of each EVM were captured and uploaded for transmission to the central server for effecting stock taking and tracking of EVMs, the Kharkongor said.

A state-level training was held during the day for all EC officials from the 11 districts along with the technical personnel where the CEO and his deputy briefed on the exercise taken.

The EC had instructed to all districts in Meghalaya to complete the exercise within July 16.

This is part of the intensive NERP programme which has been launched in the state to rectify inaccuracies and errors in the electoral roll, officials said.