Chennai, Apr 24 (PTI) EVMs used in the April 23 Assembly elections and the VVPATs have been stored in strong rooms in the presence of contesting candidates or their representatives and Central Observers and the process was videographed, Tamil Nadu CEO Archana Patnaik said on Friday.
The polled Electronic Voting Machines and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail were kept in the strong rooms as per protocol prescribed by the Election Commission of India which mandates two-tier armed security – minimum one platoon of the Armed Security Force. The strong rooms will be covered under surveillance cameras round the clock, she said.
The reserve EVMs and VVPATs have also been deposited in the reserve strong rooms.
Following the conduct of polling for the Tamil Nadu Assembly election on April 23, the EVMs and VVPATs used for polling in 75,064 polling stations were transported to the strong rooms.
“All contesting candidates have been informed by the District Election Officers in writing for deputing their representatives for watching the security arrangements of the strong room and also allow them to stay outside the inner perimeter of the security,” the Chief Electoral Officer said in a release here.
Arrangements have been made to display the sealed strong room through CCTVs to highlight that the poll material were safe and under tight security.
“The strong rooms will be opened on counting day (May 4) in the presence of contesting candidates/their representatives and Central Observers and this process will be videographed,” the CEO added.
Elections to 234 Assembly segments in the state were held on Thursday. PTI JSP JSP SA
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