First randomisation of First Level Checking (FLC) passed Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) and VVPATs was carried out by the Ramanathapuram District Election Officer Simranjeet Singh Kahlon to allocate the voting machines to the Assembly Constituencies. A press statement, said, first randomisation of EVMs and VVPATs to be used in the upcoming general elections to the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly 2026 was conducted in the presence of General Observers Rehana Batul, Manish Ranjan, Om Prakash and Ulaganathan and representatives of national and State recognised political parties at the District Collector office. During the process, EVMs and VVPATs were allocated to the four constituencies -Paramakudi (SC), Tiruvadanai, Ramanathapuram and Mudukulathur – in the district. After completion of the first randomisation, lists of EVMs and VVPATs allocated constituency-wise have been shared with all the national and State recognised political parties. The allocated machines were provided to the Returning Officers/Assistant Returning Officer concerned for use in elections, it added. The EVMs and VVPATs would be stored in respective Assembly strong rooms in the presence of representatives of recognised political parties. After finalisation of contesting candidates, the list of first randomised EVMs and VVPATs would be shared with the contesting candidates, the press statement noted. Published - March 24, 2026 06:32 pm IST