Lok Sabha Elections : GPS to be installed vehicles carrying  Electronic Voting Machines 

In a move to ensure the safe and transparent transportation of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, Pune district authorities have announced the installation of GPS systems in all vehicles involved in this process.

This initiative aims to enhance monitoring and accountability throughout the transportation journey, from the godown to the polling stations and back.
Pune district comprises four Lok Sabha constituencies: Pune, Baramati, Shirur, and Maval, encompassing a total of 8,213 polling stations and 169 auxiliary polling stations. To facilitate the electoral process, 8,382 ballot units, 10,059 control units, and 10,897 Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) machines will be deployed.

Additionally, provisions have been made for extra voting machines in case of malfunctions.
A total of 72 private heavy vehicles (containers) will be utilized for transporting the voting machines, all of which will be equipped with GPS technology to track their movements in real-time. This ensures that authorities can monitor the vehicles’ routes and statuses, maintaining transparency and security.
Furthermore, three assembly constituencies – Maval, Chinchwad, and Pimpri – are situated in Pune, while the remaining three – Panvel, Karjat, and Uran – are in Raigad district. Notably, the counting of votes for the Maval Lok Sabha Constituency will take place at the Sports Complex in Balewadi, Pune. As a result, EVMs from all three assembly constituencies in Raigad will be transported to Pune after the voting process concludes.

By implementing GPS in the transportation of EVMs, authorities can ensure adherence to designated routes and bolster the integrity of the electoral process.