In a move to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process, Kerala’s Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Rathan U. Kelkar, has issued a strict directive prohibiting the opening of any Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) strongrooms before the official counting day. This administrative intervention follows reports of security protocol breaches and procedural confusion in specific constituencies following the recent polling sessions.
Incident at Perambra Sparks Security Fears
The controversy began on Monday when reports surfaced that a strongroom in the Perambra constituency, located in the Kozhikode district, had been prematurely opened. While officials have categorized these incidents as administrative or technical oversights, the breach of standard operating procedures drew sharp criticism from political stakeholders. The strongrooms are designated high-security zones where EVMs and VVPAT machines are stored under multi-tier protection until the votes are ready to be tallied.
The situation gained further urgency following news of similar plans to access the strongroom in the Nenmara constituency in Palakkad. Fearing that such actions could undermine public confidence in the electoral machinery, the CEO moved quickly to standardize the lockdown of these facilities across the state.
Election Commission Reinforces Strict Protocols
To prevent any further lapses, CEO Rathan U. Kelkar reiterated that the seal on strongrooms must remain untouched. The Election Commission of India (ECI) guidelines stipulate that these storage areas should only be opened in the presence of candidates or their authorized agents on the morning of counting day, or under extreme circumstances with explicit authorization and oversight.
Local election officials have been instructed to heighten surveillance. “The sanctity of the vote must be maintained at all costs,” officials noted, emphasizing that even well-intentioned administrative access could lead to allegations of tampering. Security personnel, including central paramilitary forces and state police, continue to provide 24/7 coverage at all storage locations, with CCTV monitoring serving as an additional layer of verification.
Future Measures for Transparency
While the immediate crisis has been addressed via the new directive, the incident has highlighted the need for rigorous training of polling staff regarding post-poll storage. The Kerala Election Commission aims to ensure that the transition from polling to the final counting remains transparent and beyond reproach, reassuring voters that their ballots are secure behind locked doors until the final announcement.
