{
  "id": 11890798,
  "title": "Deputy ECs to visit 5 States as poll body steps up preparedness to hold high stakes elections",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/04/deputy-ecs-to-visit-5-states-as-poll-body-steps-up-preparedness-to",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-04T09:08:21.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Hindu",
    "slug": "the-hindu",
    "url": "https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/deputy-ecs-to-visit-5-states-as-poll-body-steps-up-preparedness-to-hold-high-stakes-elections/article71543257.ece"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Senior Election Commission officials, led by Deputy Election Commissioners, are embarking on a tour of five upcoming states to ensure thorough election preparedness. The team will begin with a visit to Goa this week, followed by Uttarakhand next week. Subsequent stops are planned for Punjab and Manipur in the coming weeks. The timing of their visit to Uttar Pradesh remains undecided at this point. Typically, the full Commission, consisting of the Chief Election Commissioner and fellow Commissioners, would visit poll-bound states prior to the announcement of the election schedule. Uttar Pradesh's assembly term concludes on May 22, 2028, while Manipur's expires in March 2027, Goa's on a different date in March 2027, Punjab's on March 2027, and Uttarakhand's on a separate date in March 2027. According to the Representation of the People Act, 1950, the Election Commission can conduct elections earlier than six months before the assembly's term ends. As part of the poll preparation, Uttar Pradesh and Goa have initiated first-level checks (FLCs) on electronic voting machines and paper trail units to be utilized in polling. During FLCs, engineers from BEL and ECIL, the two Public Sector Undertakings that manufacture these devices, meticulously inspect the machines for any mechanical flaws. Flawed machines are promptly returned to the manufacturers for repair or replacement. A mock poll is also conducted to assess the machines' performance in the presence of representatives from various political parties. These FLCs constitute a crucial component of election preparedness. The Election Commission issues a calendar that states must adhere to, and these checks are seamlessly integrated into the schedule. Strict measures are taken during FLCs to ensure the integrity of the data. Any remaining data from previous elections is thoroughly erased from the control units and ballot units. Once a unit successfully passes all diagnostic tests, it is marked as FLC OK and securely sealed with a specialized pink paper seal to prevent unauthorized access before the subsequent stages of election preparation. Each EVM comprises at least one ballot unit, one control unit, and one paper trail machine. Specific terms and conditions apply.",
  "summary": "Functionaries said this week teams from the EC will visit Goa, followed by Uttarakhand next week. The EC officials will also visit Punjab and then Manipur in coming weeks.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}