The Election Fee has tweaked the protocol for dealing with and storage of SLU, image loading items, following the instructions of the Supreme Courtroom which had ordered that the machines ought to be sealed and secured in a container and saved in a strongroom together with the EVMs no less than for 45 days submit the declaration of outcomes.

An EVM has three elements – the poll unit, management unit, and VVPAT. An SLU is used to add the identify and image of the candidates contesting on a specific seat on VVPAT or paper path machines.

The ballot authority, in an announcement on Wednesday, mentioned all state chief electoral officers have been directed to create needed infrastructure and provisions to implement the brand new protocols for dealing with and storage of the SLUs.

“As mandated by the Supreme Courtroom, the revised protocols are relevant in all circumstances of completion of the image loading course of within the VVPATs undertaken on or after Might 1, 2024,” the Fee mentioned.

Earlier than the Supreme Courtroom order, the SLUs had been handed over to native ballot officers.

Within the marathon seven-phase polls, 102 constituencies went to ballot throughout the first section, whereas 89 seats voted on April 26. The subsequent section is scheduled on Might 7.

The votes will likely be counted on June 4.