The Election Commission (EC) has indicated that an additional 800 warehouses will be necessary nationwide to securely store Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and other related equipment if simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and state assemblies are conducted.
The EC has described the establishment of these warehouses as a complex and resource-intensive task, with the costs for land acquisition and construction being the responsibility of the respective state governments.
In March 2023, the EC discussed various aspects related to the implementation of simultaneous elections with the Law Commission and the Department of Legal Affairs within the Union Law Ministry. These discussions have contributed to the documentation provided to the parliamentary joint committee that is currently reviewing two bills aimed at creating a framework for concurrent elections in the country.
The EC has stated, “To ensure the safe and secure storage of EVMs and VVPATs, approximately 800 additional warehouses will be required.” Furthermore, the commission highlighted that ensuring security measures in these warehouses—such as deploying security personnel, conducting monthly and quarterly inspections, and installing systems like fire alarms and CCTV cameras—will necessitate further financial investment and could lead to administrative challenges.
However, the EC believes that these challenges can be overcome if it is given sufficient time and if state governments prioritize the necessary requirements.
Currently, there are around 772 districts across the country. In July 2012, the EC initiated the process of creating dedicated warehouses in each district to house EVMs and VVPATs. It was previously determined that 326 districts needed new warehouses. As of March 2023, 194 of these warehouses have been completed, 106 are still under construction, land has been identified and sanctioned for 13 warehouses but construction has not begun, and land has not yet been allocated for another 13 warehouses.
