Thu Dec 11 12:24:39 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary of the text, followed by a rewritten version as a news article:

Summary:

Ahead of the upcoming Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly elections, the first level of checks on Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trails (VVPATs) began in four southern districts of Tamil Nadu: Tirunelveli, Tenkasi, Thoothukudi, and Kanniyakumari. The machines were moved from sealed storage in the presence of District Collectors and representatives from political parties. Service engineers from Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), the EVM and VVPAT supplier, are conducting the checks, servicing, and calibrating the machines. The checks are being monitored by district officials and are scheduled to take place over a specified period. Tenkasi plans to complete its checks in 15 days and has almost completed collecting enumeration forms.
News Article:

Tamil Nadu Gears Up for Elections: EVM and VVPAT Checks Underway

TIRUNELVELI, December 11, 2025 – Preparations for the upcoming Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly elections are in full swing as first-level checks on Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trails (VVPATs) commenced today across four southern districts: Tirunelveli, Tenkasi, Thoothukudi, and Kanniyakumari.

District Collectors oversaw the removal of the machines from secured storage, ensuring transparency by having representatives from recognized political parties present. The EVMs and VVPATs, previously used in the 2024 Parliamentary elections, are now undergoing thorough inspection and calibration by service engineers from Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), the supplier of the machines to the Election Commission of India.

In Tirunelveli, a team of nine BEL engineers is currently examining 2,358 control units, 4,212 ballot units, and 3,042 VVPATs. Similar checks are underway in Tenkasi (2,848 ballot units, 2,466 control units, 2,551 VVPATs), Thoothukudi (4,575 ballot units, 2,423 control units, 2,648 VVPATs), and Kanniyakumari (4,694 ballot units, 4,040 control units, 2,802 VVPATs).

“The service engineers will check the machines between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. everyday barring Sundays and other declared holidays,” said Tirunelveli District Collector R. Sukumar. District officials from various departments, including police, public works, and health, are assisting the engineers.

Tenkasi District Collector A. K. Kamal Kishore reported significant progress in voter enumeration. “The Booth Level Officers had uploaded more than 89% of the details of enumeration forms collected from the voters.The remaining 11% work will be completed as early as possible to release the draft electoral roll on December 16,” the Collector said.

The meticulous verification process aims to ensure the integrity and reliability of the voting machines for the upcoming elections.

Read More