Kerala Elections: Election Commission Directs Strongrooms to Remain Secured Until Counting Day Following Perambra Incident

Keralas Chief Electoral Officer, Rathan U. Kelkar, has issued directives following reports that a strongroom containing Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in the Perambra constituency of Kozhikode was accessed on Monday. In addition, there are plans to open a second strongroom in the Nenmara constituency in Palakkad.

The Chief Electoral Officers office is responsible for overseeing the conduct of elections in the state, ensuring the integrity and security of the electoral process. Concerns regarding the security of EVM storage facilities are paramount, especially in light of recent elections and the ongoing discussions about electoral transparency.

Kelkars directives aim to reinforce protocols surrounding the handling and access to EVMs, which are crucial for maintaining public confidence in the electoral system. The strongrooms are designed to securely store EVMs before and after elections, minimizing any risk of tampering or unauthorized access.

Further investigations are expected to clarify the circumstances surrounding the opening of the strongroom in Perambra and to establish the necessary measures to prevent future occurrences. The electoral commission is committed to upholding the democratic process and ensuring that all electoral materials remain secure during the election cycle.