Fazilka, November 10, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The first-level checking (FLC) of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) machines will begin in all districts of Punjab from November 12, 2026, ahead of the 2027 Punjab Vidhan Sabha elections.
Chief Electoral Officer Punjab Anindita Mitra said the exercise is a mandatory process prescribed by the Election Commission of India (ECI) to ensure that only fully functional and election-ready machines are used during the polls.
She said the checking would be conducted under the supervision of the respective District Election Officers by authorised engineers of Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), in accordance with ECI guidelines. Only machines that successfully clear the FLC will be used in the Assembly elections.
Mitra said arrangements had been made to ensure a smooth, transparent and systematic process. The exercise will be supervised by District Election Officers and monitored by the CEO’s office as well as the ECI.
To ensure transparency, the entire process will be live-webcast at all 23 locations. Two display screens have been installed at each district headquarters—one at the FLC site and another at the Deputy Commissioner’s office—to enable representatives to observe the proceedings. Dedicated screens have also been set up at the CEO’s headquarters to monitor the exercise live. The ECI has appointed observers to supervise the process.
The CEO urged all recognised political parties to authorise their representatives to witness the checking, saying their presence would strengthen transparency, accountability and confidence among stakeholders.
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