Kargil, Mar 27: The District Election Officer (DEO) and Deputy Commissioner Kargil, Rakesh Kumar, on Wednesday carried out the scheduled quarterly inspection of the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) warehouse at Kurbathang, in line with the guidelines issued by the Election Commission of India.
The verification process commenced at around 2:00 PM, with the warehouse opened in the presence of designated officers, representatives of recognised political parties, and other concerned officials. The entire exercise was conducted under strict procedural norms to maintain transparency and accountability.
Officials from multiple departments, including the Power Development Department, Treasury, District Police, Fire and Emergency Services, and the Election Cell, were present during the inspection. Representatives of political parties also witnessed the proceedings, as mandated under electoral guidelines.
During the inspection, the warehouse seal was opened under video surveillance, and a physical verification of all EVMs and VVPAT units stored at the facility was undertaken. Following the verification, the warehouse was resealed in accordance with established procedures. The keys were subsequently handed over to the Treasury Officer for secure custody.
The DEO reiterated that periodic inspections are compulsory to ensure the safety and integrity of election equipment. He underlined that such measures are essential for maintaining public confidence in the electoral process.
All actions undertaken during the inspection were duly recorded in the official logbook, while security arrangements remained in place throughout the opening and sealing of the warehouse.
Officials confirmed that the exercise was completed without any irregularities, adhering fully to the instructions laid down by the Election Commission.
The quarterly inspection forms part of a routine protocol, conducted in the presence of political representatives, to uphold transparency and ensure strict compliance with electoral procedures.
