Thiruvananthapuram: The stage is set for the Lok Sabha elections in Kerala with the Election Commission (EC) delivering electronic voting machines (EVM) to all districts. For the first time, all polling stations in the state will also have voter verifiable paper audit trail (VVPAT) machines.
The distribution of EVMs comes in the midst of a raging controversy over allegations that the machines were rigged in 2014 Lok Sabba polls to ensure the victory of the Bharatiya Janata Party.
The EC's primary estimate is that Kerala needs 24,790 polling stations. It is ready for another 3,500 polling stations too.
The office of the Chief Electoral Officer says all EVMs, stored in district warehouses, have been checked.
A list of polling stations will be finalised once the election dates are announced. The EC is set to hold a video conference with chief secretaries and police chiefs of all states to review preparations made so far.
A list of voters published on October 1 shows 2.5 crore voters in Kerala, of which 1.21 crore are men, 1.29 crore women and 21 transgenders.
Among expatriates, 23,410 have been listed.
Voters can call the toll-free 1950 at district collectorates for any queries on the voters' list and about the election.
A new voters' list will be published on January 30, incorporating those who added their names until November 15 and also of those who have shifted residences. New names can be added again from February 1.
Read more: Latest Kerala news
