With the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha elections slated for May 20, 2024, the administrative machinery in Thane district is in full swing to ensure a seamless electoral process. On Monday, May 13 marked the commencement of the crucial task of unsealing the voting machines across polling stations in the constituency.

A total of 25 Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) were installed at polling stations spread across six assembly constituencies within the Thane Lok Sabha Constituency. The meticulous process of unsealing the Control Units, Ballot Units, and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VV-PAT) machines commenced at designated venues. Notably, at polling stations in Thane Assembly Constituency, Joshi Bedekar College served as the focal point for this operation, overseeing the sealing process of 148 EVMs.

In a meticulously organised effort, Central Election Inspector J. Shyamala Rao, along with Election Returning Officer for Thane Lok Sabha Constituency, Manisha Jaibhaye-Dhule, and Assistant Election Returning Officer for Thane Assembly Constituency, Urmila Patil, supervised the proceedings. The process unfolded in the presence of political representatives of the candidates, ensuring transparency and adherence to electoral protocols.

The unsealing process will continue over the next few days, with Ovala Majiwada Assembly Constituency scheduled for May 13, followed by Kopri Pachpakhadi, Airoli, and Belapur Assembly Constituencies on May 14 and 15, 2024, respectively.

Additionally, to bolster the preparedness of officers and staff appointed at polling stations, comprehensive training sessions were conducted at Ram Ganesh Gadkari Rangayatan and Kashinath Ghanekar Theatre, ensuring that every aspect of the electoral process is meticulously handled.