The Election Commission of India (ECI) has appointed five nodal officers to oversee the First-Level Checking (FLC) of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in preparation for the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections.
According to an official statement issued by the Commission, all five officers have been deputed from states outside West Bengal, a move aimed at ensuring neutrality, transparency, and procedural integrity during the critical pre-poll process.
The First-Level Checking of EVMs is a mandatory technical verification exercise conducted to ensure that voting machines are fully functional, tamper-proof, and compliant with election standards before they are deployed for polling.
In addition to the appointments, the Election Commission has also introduced updated operational rules, under which the image of each contesting candidate will be displayed on the EVM, enhancing voter clarity and transparency during the voting process.
The Commission stated that these measures are part of its broader efforts to strengthen public confidence in the electoral system and ensure smooth conduct of elections in the state.
With the West Bengal Assembly elections scheduled for next year, the early deployment of external nodal officers reflects the Commission’s focus on preparedness and adherence to established electoral protocols.
