Kozhikode | The district administration on Monday clarified that reports of opening a strong room storing EVMs in Perambra constituency in this north Kerala district were incorrect, even as the UDF opposition alleged violation of election norms.
Collector Snehil Kumar Singh, who is also the district election officer, said that an unsealed "material room" at JDT Islam Higher Secondary School here was opened this morning in the presence of candidates' agents to verify and update polling records.
The officer, in a statement, said that Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and VVPATs were securely stored in a sealed strong room on the first floor of the building under the supervision of central observers and candidates' agents, and that room had not been opened.
Polling material, including presiding officers' diaries maintained by the Returning Officer, were kept in a separate room on the second floor which was not sealed, the statement said.
The room was opened as per Election Commission guidelines to cross-check and update details in the designated software with entries in the presiding officers' diaries, it added.
Representatives of both the LDF and UDF were present during the process, and the room was locked again after completion of verification in their presence, the official said, reiterating that no EVMs or postal ballots were kept there.
Earlier in the day, the Returning Officer of Perambra constituency also rejected as baseless the reports of a strong room being opened at JDT here, where the EVMs of the assembly polls are stored.
However, leaders of the Congress and the party-led UDF alleged that the incident amounted to a violation of election rules.
Congress DCC president K Praveen Kumar questioned the opening of any room within the inner perimeter area notified by the EC, and raised concerns over the entry of state officials and police personnel into the premises.
He said the security of the area had been entrusted to central forces and there was no need to open any such room prior to counting day.
Other UDF leaders also expressed doubts over the process, claiming their agents were not informed, despite the authorities stating otherwise.
The results of the April 9 Assembly polls to 140 constituencies in the state will be declared on May 4.
