Polled EVMs are absolutely safe! ECI assures after opposition raised concerns

New Delhi, May 21: On the 19 May, the final phase of polling takes place for Lok Sabha elections. After this, the exit polls verdict gave the new level of excitement for the upcoming government. But among all this, many complaints and allegations about discrepancies in the handling and storage of EVMs sprouted.

On this allegations, ECI said, the allegations of discrepancies in handling and storage of EVMs are baseless.

 

This statement came after, leaders of opposition parties, including the Congress, met Election Commission officials on Tuesday afternoon, raising concerns about the EVMs.

The official release about this concerns stated, “Complaints of alleged movement of EVMs, purportedly to replace polled EVMs in strongrooms, doing rounds in sections of media. Would like to unambiguously clarify that reports are absolutely false. Visuals seen viral on media do not pertain to any EVMs used during the polls”.

Further, the release said, “After the close of polls, all polled EVMs and VVPATs are brought under security cover to the designated strongrooms, which is sealed with double locks, in the presence of the candidates and in the presence of Observers of the Election Commission.

 

It added, “The entire process of storage and sealing of the strongroom is covered under videography. Continuous CCTV coverage is done until the completion of counting. Each strongroom is guarded with round-the-clock security by the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF). Further, the candidates or their designated agents remain present at the strongroom for a 24X7 vigil at all times”.

As per the procedures of ECI, On the counting day, the strongrooms are opened in the presence of the candidates/agents and Observer under videography. Before the counting of EVMs commences, the counting agents are shown the address tags, seals and a serial number of the EVMs to satisfy themselves to the genuineness and authenticity of the machines used in the actual polls.

The provisions and protocols have been explained to the political parties on multiple occasions including in several of the 93 meetings held with them at the Commission since the announcement of elections. All Chief Electoral Officers and District Election Officers have again been advised to brief the candidates on the elaborate counting arrangements.

The official release also stated, The aspersions in clips being used in media merely pertain to the storage or movement of Reserve unused EVMs. However, any case of lapse even in the handling of Reserve EVMs is thoroughly investigated and disciplinary action taken against the officers responsible. An EVM Control Room 011- 23052123 will also be functioning at Nirvachan Sadan for handling any EVM related complaints till the completion of counting. This will become operative from 11 am on 22.5.2019.