RamRajya News

ECI Launches EVM/VVPAT Awareness Drive in 5 States

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has launched a large-scale EVM/VVPAT awareness campaign across five poll-bound States and Union Territories  Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal to strengthen voter confidence ahead of upcoming elections. The initiative focuses on educating citizens about the functioning, transparency and reliability of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) units.
The campaign is being conducted through a structured network of EVM Demonstration Centres (EDCs) and Mobile Demonstration Vans (MDVs), ensuring outreach across both urban and rural areas.

Over 1.2 Lakh Voters Participate

As of February 10, 2026, more than 1.20 lakh electors have visited EVM Demonstration Centres across the five States. Out of them, over 1.16 lakh voters cast mock votes during live demonstrations, gaining hands-on experience with the machines.

Additionally, Mobile Demonstration Vans have already covered more than 29,000 polling station locations. These vans are designed to reach remote and interior areas, ensuring that no voter is left behind in the awareness process.

State-wise Outreach Details

In Assam, the campaign began on February 5, 2026, with 161 demonstration centres set up across District Election Officer and Returning Officer headquarters. Kerala launched its drive on February 3 with 62 centres, while Puducherry started on January 27 with 19 centres operational.

Tamil Nadu has witnessed the largest participation, with over 75,000 people attending demonstrations since the campaign began on January 25. West Bengal, which started the initiative on January 23, has established 318 centres  the highest among all five regions  and has also covered over 18,000 polling locations through mobile vans.

Kerala’s mobile van outreach is scheduled to begin from February 12, further expanding the campaign’s reach.

Strengthening Trust in the Electoral Process

The primary objective of the EVM/VVPAT awareness campaign is to enhance voter confidence by addressing doubts and misconceptions about electronic voting. Officials provide step-by-step explanations of how votes are recorded and verified through VVPAT slips, ensuring transparency in the electoral process.

The Election Commission has reiterated its commitment to conducting free, fair and transparent elections. By enabling citizens to physically operate the machines during mock sessions, the Commission aims to build trust and familiarity before polling day.

Transparent and Inclusive Approach

The outreach programme reflects the Commission’s broader strategy to ensure inclusive participation in the democratic process. By combining fixed demonstration centres with mobile units, the ECI has created a hybrid awareness model capable of reaching diverse demographic groups.

With elections approaching in these States, the awareness drive marks a significant step in reinforcing transparency and empowering voters with firsthand knowledge of India’s electronic voting system.

Exit mobile version