Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trails (VVPATs), and other essential polling materials have been securely sealed and stored in a strong room at the Government Polytechnic College in Udhagamandalam, commonly known as Ooty. This procedure marks a critical step following the completion of polling in the Nilgiris parliamentary constituency.
The Nilgiris district administration confirmed that the materials from the Ooty, Gudalur, and Coonoor assembly segments were moved to the strong room on Friday. The storage process was conducted in the presence of election officials and representatives from political parties, underscoring the transparency and security measures in place during the election process. This action follows the conclusion of polling activities across Tamil Nadu, where EVMs and related materials from all 234 constituencies are being consolidated at designated counting centres.
Rigorous Security Protocols in Place
A three-tier security system has been established at the strong room facility in Ooty. This comprehensive security arrangement includes constant surveillance by CCTV cameras, ensuring that the strong room and its surroundings are monitored around the clock. The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel are responsible for guarding the inner perimeter, which directly encompasses the strong rooms and the corridors leading to them. The middle layer of security is managed by the Tamil Nadu Special Police, who oversee the security of the building itself. The outer perimeter, including the surrounding area, is patrolled by local police personnel, with over 200 police officers deployed to maintain order and prevent any unauthorized access.
The Nilgiris parliamentary constituency’s EVMs, drawn from the Ooty, Coonoor, Gudalur, Mettupalayam, Avinashi, and Bhavanisagar assembly segments, have been housed in separate strong rooms. These facilities are equipped with extensive CCTV surveillance, with reports indicating that around 160 CCTV cameras are in operation to monitor the storage areas. The district collector and returning officer has assured that all security measures are being strictly adhered to, emphasizing the integrity of the electoral process.
Addressing Concerns and Ensuring Transparency
In recent electoral cycles, concerns regarding the security of EVMs in strong rooms have been raised by various political parties. To address these apprehensions, election commissions have consistently reinforced the security protocols. These include the double-locking of strong rooms in the presence of candidates or their authorized agents, as well as observers. Video and digital photography, with date and time recording, are mandated during the transport and storage of EVMs. Unused VVPATs and EVMs are stored in separate strong rooms to maintain a clear distinction. The Election Commission has reiterated that the entire process of polling and the subsequent storage of EVMs in strong rooms is designed to be foolproof, with robust measures in place to prevent tampering.
In Tamil Nadu, the movement of EVMs to the 62 counting centres across the state was carried out under strict supervision, with the presence of police and armed forces to ensure safety. The Election Commission of India has stated that multi-layered security arrangements are in place at all counting centres where the machines will be stored until the day of the counting. These measures aim to uphold the confidence of the electorate in the integrity of the voting and counting process.
The Chenab Times News Desk