EC: All’s well with EVM security in Jalandhar

Aparna Banerji

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, February 16

After visiting strong rooms here today, a team of the Election Commission (EC) termed the arrangements for the security of EVMs satisfactory.

The team comprised Himachal Pradesh Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Naresh Chauhan and Additional CEO of the National Capital Territory (NCT), Delhi, Rajesh Kumar.

They said the EVMs were secure. “We are satisfied with the arrangements made by Returning Officers, the District Electoral Officer (DEO) and district administration. We met the representatives of all parties as well. They have no complaints about EVMs’ security,” Chauhan said.

The team visited the strong rooms at Patwar School and Sports College here.

On February 7, AAP’s Dakha candidate HS Phoolka had alleged that EVMs stored in Jalandhar strong rooms were not secure. Party activists pitched a tent outside the strong room at Patwar School the next day. They also met Deputy Commissioner (DC) KK Yadav, requesting him to keep a watch on the strong rooms.

Subsequently, AAP activists demanded live feed of CCTV cameras near the strong rooms and special permission cards for their volunteers to keep vigil outside the strong rooms. Their demand was met.

Yadav said, “There were no major concerns in the city. All candidates have expressed satisfaction with the security arrangements for EVMs.”

On Wednesday, the team visited Patiala in view of AAP alleging foul play in the shifting of EVMs from the Government College for Physical Education.

After Jalandhar, the team visited Tarn Taran.