Madhubani: The first-level check (FLC) of electronic voting machines (EVMs) and voter verifiable paper audit trail (VVPAT) systems began here on Friday and will continue till June 12 in preparation for the upcoming assembly elections.The inspection was conducted in the presence of district election officer-cum-district magistrate Arvind Kumar Verma, EVM nodal officer V Sridhar (appointed by the Election Commission of India) and representatives of recognised political parties.The FLC process is being carried out in accordance with the guidelines of the ECI. A team of 18 engineers from the Electronics Corporation of India Limited (ECIL), Hyderabad, has been deployed for the task at the FLC hall, located on the ground floor of the VVPAT warehouse.The inspection is being conducted daily, including on holidays, from 9am to 7pm. The ECIL engineers are responsible for thoroughly testing the functionality of EVMs and VVPATs. This includes checking the control units, ballot units, switches, door flaps, acrylic screens, seals and the overall responsiveness and efficiency of the equipment.Additional security arrangements, such as door metal detectors, CCTV surveillance, webcasting, internet connectivity and fire extinguishers, were reviewed by the district election officer and the nodal officer. The DM issued necessary directives to ensure a secure and uninterrupted inspection process.