New Delhi/IBNS, May 1 -- 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 infrastruct...