Three-tier security in place for EVM strongrooms

Tribune News Service
Bathinda, May 20

A three-tier security apparatus has been put in place to guard EVM strongrooms at PESCO and Institute of Hotel Management (IHM) in Bathinda and at Nehru Memorial College in Mansa.

EVMs of Bathinda (Urban), Bathinda (Rural), Bucho, Maur, Talwandi Sabo and Lambi Assembly segments have been kept at PESCO and IHM. EVMs of Mansa, Budhlada and Sardulgarh have been kept at Nehru Memorial College. Counting of votes will take place at these centres.

As part of a three-tier security apparatus, inner cordon is guarded by Central paramilitary forces, middle cordon by Punjab Armed Police personnel and outer cordon by the Punjab Police. The EVMs have been kept securely away from light so that the data stored in these machines does not get affected till the time the poll results are out.

After the completion of the voting process on Sunday, assistant returning officers (AROs) of each Assembly constituencies were entrusted with the task of storing the EVMs in strongrooms.

The EVMs were transported in trucks escorted by paramilitary and police personnel. In certain constituencies where polling took place at a distance of several kilometres, the work of storing EVMs continued till late night.

SSP Dr Nanak Singh said, “Elaborate security arrangements have been put in place at strongrooms. Three-tier security has been made to guard the EVMs. Till May 23, I will visit the strongrooms everyday to check the security arrangements.”

The entry point of the strongrooms is under the supervision of CCTV cameras.

A log book is being maintained by security personnel in which the date, time, duration and name of anyone visiting the strongrooms are being registered. It includes observers, DEOs, SPs, candidates and their agents.