Sun Jan 04 13:54:33 UTC 2026: Okay, here’s a news article summarizing the provided text, focusing on the EVM checking process:
Headline: EVM Checks Begin in Kollam Ahead of Assembly Elections
Kollam, India – January 4, 2026 – With assembly elections on the horizon, the first phase of checking electronic voting machines (EVMs) commenced today at the Cantonment compound warehouse in Kollam. The inspection, led by District Collector and District Election Officer N. Devidas, is being conducted in the presence of representatives from recognized political parties to ensure transparency and impartiality.
The initial phase of the process is estimated to last 25 to 30 days. Authorised engineers from Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) are meticulously examining the EVMs, conducting comprehensive physical and technical evaluations, including cleaning and rigorous operational testing of all units. Political party representatives have been granted direct access to observe and assess the First Level Checking (FLC) process, reinforcing the commitment to a fair and transparent electoral process. The article was reported by The Hindu.