The Bihar Election 2025 preparation is in full swing. Though announcements for the election are anticipated within the next four months, the local machinery of elections has gone into gear. One of the main areas is the First Level Checking (FLC) of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), which will begin on May 17. This critical process must be under strict surveillance. It will make sure that every voting equipment is functional, verified, and ready for deployment. The whole process will set the stage for an open and error-free electoral process.
Bhagalpur: EVM FLC to Commence from May 17 (Bihar Election 2025 Preparation)
As we come closer to the Bihar Election 2025 preparations in Bhagalpur have started officially. In the expectation that the said election notification may be issued within the next four months. The district administration is preparing the ground to have smooth electoral operations. In this backdrop, a senior-level meeting was held at Samiksha Bhawan on 27 April (Wednesday), chaired under the presidency of District Election Officer (DEO) Dr. Nawal Kishore Chaudhary.
The meeting involved representatives of the national and state-level political parties to discuss the major procedures regarding Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). Especially, the First Level Checking (FLC) protocol is planned to begin on May 17 and end on June 6.
EVM first-level checking (FLC) from 17th May
The First Level Checking of the EVMs will be done at the EVM warehouse by engineers of Electronics Corporation of India Limited (ECIL) as per the DEO. The daily FLC process shall operate between 9 am to 7 pm and on weekends and holidays.
The FLC is the crucial step of the pre-election verification procedure. The purpose of which is to ensure the testing and verification of the functioning of EVMs, such as Ballot Units (BUs), Control Units (CUs), and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) devices. According to the present inventory status, Bhagalpur’s current status is 5,107 BUs, 3,865 CUs, and 4,146 VVPATs. All these will be checked systematically during the forthcoming sessions.
Political Party Representatives Must Take Part in This
During the meeting, it was decided that all political parties must be present at the FLC events. According to the DEO, every political party should send an authorized representative to be present at all times. One person per party, whether the district president, secretary, or an officially nominated representative with an ID card from the District Election Office, is permitted to represent their party at one time.
The guideline was set for the purpose of increasing transparency and fair treatment during the inspection. Representatives must stay in the FLC hall from the time EVMs are sealed to when they are closed. So that the public feels confident about the process.
There are strict rules that will be followed inside the FLC hall. There will be strict security rules applied within the FLC hall. No mobile phones or other personal electronic devices that have not been allowed will be permitted into the hall. Security at the FLC hall will be tight, and only authorized persons can go in during opening and closing times.
Surveillance and Monitoring: CCTV and Live Webcasting (Bihar Election 2025 Preparation)
CCTVs have been set up inside the FLC hall so that everything will be recorded and secure. In addition, the entire First Level Checking is going to be livestreamed through webcasting. And, making it possible for the Election Commission and authorized staff to observe it live.
The Election Commission assigned 13 engineers from ECIL to look after the FLC work in Bhagalpur. It will be the duty of this technical team to make sure all machines are tested and that any defective ones are removed early.
Administrative Oversight and Monitoring
To further strengthen the administrative structure and to provide on-ground support. The district administration has provided an additional collector/district public grievance redressal officer. Sunil Kumar Ranjan, for supervising the FLC process. There is a nodal officer designated for this purpose, and it is Sudhir Kumar, the District Sale Deed Officer.
Apart from the DEO, the meeting was also attended by Deputy Election Officer Shweta Kumari and Joint Director of Public Relations Nagendra Kumar Gupta, along with all EROs of the district.
As the Assembly Elections approach, Bhagalpur comes into the limelight for its bold measures in making proper Bihar Election 2025 preparations. The district sets the tone for a free, fair, and transparent process in the electoral process.
