Nuapada By-Election 2025: EVM & VVPAT Checks Begin Amid High-Stakes Political Contest
Nuapada, Odisha — The Election Commission has officially kicked off preparations for the Nuapada Assembly by-election following the untimely demise of sitting MLA Rajendra Dholakia.
On Monday, first-level verification of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trails (VVPATs) began at the district warehouse located within the Collector’s office.
District Collector and Chief Electoral Officer Madhusudan Dash led the inspection, joined by senior officials including EVM State Nodal Officer Pramod Kumar Sahu and representatives from major political parties—BJP, BJD, and AAP. The process, aimed at ensuring transparency and electoral integrity, marks the initial phase of readiness for the high-stakes contest in western Odisha.
Officials confirmed that subsequent steps, including machine allocation and polling station setup, will strictly follow the Election Commission of India protocols. With political parties already mobilising, the Nuapada seat is shaping up to be a fiercely contested battleground.
