Preparations begin for Datia assembly bypoll, EC initiates EVM, VVPAT verification

Bhopal: Preparations for the likely bypoll to the Datia Assembly constituency have begun with the Election Commission initiating the first-level checking (FLC) of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) units.The exercise follows the vacancy of the seat after the disqualification of former Congress MLA Rajendra Bharti, who was convicted in a cheating and forgery case.Officials said the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Madhya Pradesh, has directed the Datia district administration to carry out FLC of EVMs and VVPATs proposed for use in the upcoming bypoll. Acting on the instructions, the district election officer has invited representatives of recognised political parties to be present during the process.According to officials, technical verification of nearly 200 percent reserve ballot units (BUs), control units (CUs), and VVPAT machines will be conducted for the 291 polling stations in the constituency.The FLC process is scheduled to begin on May 19. Political parties have been asked to nominate authorised representatives and submit their details, photographs, and identity proof before the exercise begins.“We have started preparations for FLC as per the instructions from the office of the chief electoral officer. We have been asked to carry out the FLC on May 19. As of now, no other instructions have been received,” Datia collector Swapnil Wankhede told TOI.The Datia seat fell vacant after Bharti was convicted by a Delhi court on April 1 in a case related to alleged irregularities in a fixed deposit account at the Datia District Cooperative Agriculture and Rural Development Bank. He was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment, following which the Madhya Pradesh Assembly Secretariat issued a notification disqualifying him under the provisions of the Representation of the People Act.Bharti has challenged the conviction in the Delhi High Court, where the matter is still pending. Congress leaders have alleged political vendetta and raised questions over the pace of the disqualification process.