The nodal officers and computer operators of all the EVM cells on Wednesday underwent training on Global Positioning System (GPS) tracking of EVM machines while they are transported from one place to another during the time of elections in Jharkhand.

Addressing the training session, Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) L Khiangte said that the Election Commission of India (ECI) has decided to use Information Technology (IT) services to the fullest during the elections and the GPS tracking of EVM machines will help keep a track of the machines before, during and after the polling process.

“A control room has been set up in each of the 24 districts here to keep a tab on the GPS mapping of the EVM machines. This will help ensure fair polling,” Khiangte said.

The GPS monitoring will not only keep the control rooms updated about the real-time location of the vehicles carrying EVM machines but also about the route and speed of the vehicles, he said.

The CEO on Wednesday directed all the nodal officers and computer operators of EVM cells to impart trainings to the 4000 odd sector officers about GPS tracking in different districts.

This is the first time that EVM machines in Jharkhand will be under GPS monitoring throughout the polling process. During elections in Madhya Pradesh last year, some parties had alleged anomalies in the management of EVM machines. The Congress party had also accused officials concerned of taking some of the machines to a hotel in an attempt of rigging.

Jharkhand goes to polls on April 29 and the ECI is maintaining a close watch on every happening here. The State will vote in four phases and the final round of polling here will happen on May 9.