EVM-VVPAT commissioning begins for Tamil Nadu and West Bengal Phase I seats
The Election Commission of India said commissioning of EVMs and VVPATs for constituencies going to the polls on 23 April 2026 began on 16 April, covering 75,064 polling stations in Tamil Nadu and 44,378 in West Bengal Phase I.
Summary
The Election Commission of India (ECI) said commissioning of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and VVPATs for constituencies voting on 23 April 2026 began on 16 April in the presence of candidates or their representatives and General Observers. Commissioning is followed by a mock poll of 1,000 votes in 5% of EVMs randomly chosen by candidates. EVMs were earlier allotted to polling stations through two-stage randomisation in the EVM Management System, first from district warehouses to Assembly constituencies and then to polling stations. Tamil Nadu has 75,064 polling stations and West Bengal (Phase I) 44,378 going to the polls on 23 April.
Key facts
- Began
- 16 April 2026
- Polling date
- 23 April 2026 (TN; WB Phase I)
- Mock poll
- 1,000 votes in 5% of EVMs, randomly chosen by candidates
- Randomisation
- Two-stage via EVM Management System (EMS)
- Polling stations
- TN 75,064; WB Phase I 44,378
Practice MCQs 2 questions
After commissioning of EVMs for the April 2026 polls, a mock poll of how many votes is held in 5% of randomly selected EVMs?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — 1,000
ECI said commissioning is followed by a mock poll of 1,000 votes in 5% of EVMs randomly selected by candidates.
Consider the following statements about EVM allocation for the 2026 Assembly polls, as described by ECI: 1. EVMs are allotted to polling stations through a two-stage randomisation using the EVM Management System. 2. Tamil Nadu has more polling stations voting on 23 April than West Bengal Phase I. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: two-stage randomisation is done through EMS, and Tamil Nadu has 75,064 polling stations against 44,378 in West Bengal Phase I.