New Delhi/IBNS: The Election Commission has changed the protocol for handling and storage of SLU, symbol loading units, in sync with the directions from the Supreme Court which had ordered that the machines should be sealed and secured in a container and stored in a strongroom along with the EVMs at least for 45 days post the declaration of results.

An EVM used in the voting process has three components - the ballot unit, the control unit, and the VVPAT.

An SLU is used to upload the name and symbol of the candidates contesting for a particular seat on VVPAT or paper trail machines.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Election Commission said all state chief electoral officers have been directed to create the necessary infrastructure and provisions to implement the new protocols for handling and storage of the SLUs.

"As mandated by the Supreme Court, the revised protocols are applicable in all cases of completion of the symbol loading process in the VVPATs undertaken on or after May 1, 2024," the Commission said.

Before the Supreme Court order, the SLUs were handed over to local poll officials.

As a part of the ongoing seven-phase elections, 102 constituencies went to vote during the first phase, while 89 seats voted on April 26. The next phase is scheduled for May 7.

The votes for all phases will be counted on June 4.