Updated March 30th, 2019 at 20:50 IST
Here's how many sticks of red sealing wax and candles will used in the Maharashtra Lok Sabha polls
An official release of the EC said that sealing wax will be used to keep EVMs, their control units and the Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) machines secure.“After the general elections, the EVMs and material related to them is kept secured and sealed with the help of this sealing wax. The seal is opened on the day of counting."
Advertisement
As many as 6.81 lakh sticks of red sealing wax and over four lakh candles will be used in Maharashtra to keep the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) secure after the Lok Sabha polls next month.
The Election Commission (EC) is prepared to seal the fate of candidates in the EVMs till the day of counting on May 23. An official release of the EC said that sealing wax will be used to keep EVMs, their control units and the Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) machines secure.“After the general elections, the EVMs and material related to them is kept secured and sealed with the help of this sealing wax. The seal is opened on the day of counting."
Due to the use of VVPAT machines in every constituency in this year’s elections, a huge quantity of red wax will is being required. The official release quoted, “For this, six sticks of sealing wax per polling centre that is a total of 6,81,800 units of sealing wax would required in the state.
Highlighting the importance of red wax sealing, the release said that it is used in the government machinery for sealing the documents, evidence or government material and is a symbol for security and safety.
The release also said that though paper ballots are not used in elections anymore and EVMs have replaced them completely, the use of red wax has continued as now, it is used to seal control units of EVMs and their VVPAT machines. "Sealing this material is the major responsibility in the voting process. This requirement is sent by the Indian Security Press to the Election Commission of India (ECI) and from there to the State Election Office," the release added.
The state of Maharashtra goes on polls in four phases - April 11, 18, 23 and 29 for its 48 parliamentary constituencies and the counting is on May 23.
(inputs from PTI)
Advertisement
Published March 30th, 2019 at 18:26 IST
Your Voice. Now Direct.
Send us your views, we’ll publish them. This section is moderated.