This Ambasamudram by-election update may sound like dry EVM work at first,but honestly,this is where election process actually starts becoming real for voters .
First-level testing of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) has now begun because AIADMK MLA Esakki Subaya resigned from his post . And since he left to join another political party,seat has now gone into by-election mode.
On June 18,District Collector and District Election Officer Anand Mohan inaugurated testing process . This includes calibration of EVMs so machines are working properly and votes can be recorded without issue when election happens.
And see,this part is not glamorous at all,but it matters ah . If EVMs are not checked properly before polling,whole trust issue starts later only.
Few key points standing out here:
- 321 polling booths will be established for Ambasamudram by-election .
- 642 ballot units,control units,and Voter Verified Paper Audit Trails (VVPATs) will be needed.
- Technicians from Bharat Electronics Limited will complete testing by June 23.
Another interesting detail is that EVMs being tested now were not utilized in last Assembly election . That means these machines are being kept separate from earlier polling process,which is meant to keep things clean and reliable.
Last Assembly election in Ambasamudram saw 83.77% polling percentage,which is not small number at all . Esakki Subaya had won by margin of 10,245 votes against his nearest competitor,and polling percentage had exceeded previous election by 11.25%.
That kind of voter turnout says something about area also . Ambasamudram segment is largely made up of lower and middle-class families,so representation here is not just political drama,it directly connects with everyday issues people face.
All EVMs used in last Assembly election,held on April 23,have been stored separately because rules require votes to be preserved for mandatory period after results are announced . So now fresh testing,stored machines,separate process… everything is being lined up carefully .
But tbh,the bigger question is what voters will do now after this resignation . Will they treat it like normal by-election,or will people use this chance to send some stronger message about representation…
