Hooghly, March 23 (H.S.): The first randomisation of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) units for the West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026 was conducted in Hooghly district on Sunday, officials said.

The process was carried out under the supervision of the District Election Officer at the Sarva Shiksha Meeting Hall in the new administrative building of the District Magistrate’s office, using the Election Commission of India’s EVM Management System to ensure transparency.

EVMs and VVPATs were allocated for all 18 Assembly constituencies in the district, including Uttarpara, Serampore, Champdani, Singur, Chandannagar, Chinsurah, Balagarh, Pandua, Saptagram, Chanditala, Jangipara, Haripal, Dhanekhali, Tarakeswar, Pursurah, Arambagh, Goghat and Khanakul.

The randomisation process was conducted in the presence of representatives from various political parties, including the BSP, BJP, CPI(M), Congress, NPP, Forward Bloc and Trinamool Congress.

Officials said the list of allocated EVMs and VVPATs has been shared with all recognised political parties and the machines will be securely stored in the respective Assembly constituency strong rooms.

The same list will also be provided to contesting candidates after the finalisation of nominations.

The information was shared through an official press release issued by the District Election Officer on Monday.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey