**Executive Summary**
The Election Commission of India has completed the first stage of EVM-VVPAT randomization for the 2026 assembly elections in Assam, Kerala, and Puducherry, and bye-elections in four states scheduled for April 9, 2026. Conducted via the EVM Management System (EMS), this process allocated machines from district warehouses to assembly constituencies to ensure transparency. Constituency-wise lists have been distributed to recognized political parties, and equipment is being moved to secure Assembly Strong Rooms.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Randomization Procedure**
* EVMs and VVPATs are allotted to polling stations through a mandated two-stage randomization process.
* The first stage involves allocating machines from district-level warehouses to Assembly Constituencies (AC).
* The second stage, occurring later, allocates machines from the AC level to specific polling stations.
* Only units that have successfully passed First Level Checking (FLC) are included in the randomization.
* **Operational Execution**
* District Election Officers (DEOs) are responsible for conducting the randomization using the digital EVM Management System (EMS).
* The process is carried out in the physical presence of representatives from National and State Recognised Political Parties.
* Finalized constituency-wise lists of the randomized equipment are shared with these representatives at district headquarters.
* **Storage and Security**
* Randomized EVMs and VVPATs are stored in designated Assembly Strong Rooms.
* Storage procedures are conducted in the presence of representatives from recognized political parties to maintain security and trust.
* **Election Context**
* The schedule covers general elections in Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal, and bye-elections in six states.
* First randomization is confirmed complete for Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, and bye-election sites in Goa, Karnataka, Nagaland, and Tripura.
**Impact Analysis**
**District Election Officers (DEOs)**
**Impact:** Charged with the technical and procedural execution of the randomization process.
**Action Required:** Must use the EMS to complete first randomization and oversee the secure transfer and storage of units in Assembly Strong Rooms.
**National and State Recognised Political Parties**
**Impact:** Serve as primary observers to ensure the integrity of the machine allocation.
**Action Required:** Representatives must attend randomization sessions and remain present during the storage of machines in strong rooms; they must also collect and review the constituency-wise lists provided at district headquarters.
**Contesting Candidates**
**Impact:** Future stakeholders who will be informed of the specific machines used in their constituencies.
**Action Required:** Upon the finalization of the contesting candidates list, they must receive and review the lists for both the first and second randomization stages.
Key Entities Referenced
Election Commission of India (ECI): The primary regulator responsible for directing the two-stage randomization process of EVM-VVPATs and scheduling the legislative assembly elections.
EVM Management System (EMS): The digital initiative used by election officials to conduct the randomized allocation of electronic voting machines and paper audit trails.
District Election Officers (DEO): The key administrative authorities responsible for executing the randomization process and sharing constituency-wise lists with political parties.
Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Goa, Karnataka, Nagaland, and Tripura: The specific states and Union Territory where the election schedules and EVM-VVPAT randomization procedures are centrally applicable.
Election Commission
First Randomisation of EVM-VVPATs for
upcoming Assembly Elections completed in
Assam, Kerala and Puducherry
Lists shared with Political Parties
Posted On: 21 MAR 2026 11:26AM by PIB Delhi
1. Election Commission of India (ECI) announced the schedule for the General Election to Legislative
Assemblies of Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal and bye-elections in 6
states on March 15,2026.
2. EVMs are allotted to their respective polling stations through a 2-stage randomisation process. In
the first stage, EVMs are randomly allocated from District level warehouses to the Assembly
Constituencies. In the second stage, EVMs are randomly allocated from the AC level to the polling
station level.
3. As per the directions of the Election Commission of India (ECI), the District Election Officers
(DEO) of all the poll-bound States/UTs must complete the first randomization of EVM-VVPATs
which have passed the First Level Checking (FLC).
4. First randomisation of EVMs has accordingly been completed for the general elections of the states
of Assam and Kerala and the UT of Puducherry as well as for the bye-elections in the States of Goa,
Karnataka, Nagaland and Tripura, which are going to polls on April 9, 2026.
5. The First Randomization was done through EVM Management System (EMS) by the DEOs in the
presence of the representatives of National and State Recognised Political Parties.
6. Constituency wise lists of randomized EVMs and VVPATs have been shared with the
representatives of all National and State Recognised Political Parties at their respective district
headquarters.
7. These EVMs and VVPATs will be stored in respective Assembly Strong Room in the presence of
the representatives of National and State Recognised Political Parties.
8. After finalization of list of contesting candidates, the list of first and second randomized EVMs and
VVPATs will be shared with all the contesting candidates also.
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