Secure Storage of EVMs and VVPATs in Tamil Nadu Elections

Following the April 23 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trails (VVPATs) have been securely stored in strong rooms under stringent security measures. Tamil Nadu CEO Archana Patnaik confirmed that the process of securing the equipment was overseen by contesting candidates or their representatives, and Central Observers. The secure storage was videographed as a part of the protocol mandated by the Election Commission of India.

Significant security arrangements, including two-tier armed protection with a minimum of one platoon from the Armed Security Force, have been enforced. Surveillance cameras operate round-the-clock to monitor the strong rooms. Additionally, reserve EVMs and VVPATs have been deposited in separate reserve strong rooms. District Election Officers have communicated with all contesting candidates, urging them to appoint representatives to supervise the security arrangements around the strong rooms.

The election process involved 75,064 polling stations, and provisions have been made for the sealed strong rooms to be viewed live on CCTV, ensuring the integrity and security of the poll materials. On May 4, the strong rooms will be opened for vote counting in the presence of candidates, their representatives, and Central Observers, also a process which will be videographed to ensure transparency.

(With inputs from agencies.)