JAMMU, Feb 09: In a significant move, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced plans to establish a fully dedicated Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) bank in the Union Territory (UT) of Jammu and Kashmir .
This initiative aims to ensure the safe storage and protection of EVMs used in various elections, including Parliament and Assembly polls.
The scheduled to be operational before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the EVM bank will be located at Bhagwati Nagar, Jammu. It marks the first-ever establishment of such a highly protected facility dedicated solely to storing EVMs in the Union Territory.
Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of J&K, PK Pole, has issued directives to expedite the setup of the EVM bank to guarantee the secure storage of EVMs. Deputy District Electoral Officer, Rameshwar, confirmed the instructions, emphasizing the urgency to ensure the functionality of the bank before the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
The EVM bank at Bhagwati Nagar, Jammu, will boast state-of-the-art facilities designed specifically for the protection of EVMs used in elections. Initially, the bank will have the capacity to securely store up to five thousand (5000) EVMs.
Previously, EVMs for elections were stored at various locations, including Government Polytechnic College, Jammu. However, in alignment with the directives from the Election Commission of India, all EVMs will now be housed exclusively at the EVM bank in Bhagwati Nagar, Jammu, upon its completion.
This initiative underscores the Election Commission’s commitment to enhancing the integrity and security of the electoral process in Jammu and Kashmir, ensuring the smooth conduct of elections and upholding the democratic principles of the nation.
