Assam Congress Leader Raises Alarm Over EVM Strongroom Security in Sivasagar
In a significant development concerning electoral integrity, senior Congress leader and Assam assembly opposition leader Debabrata Saikia has formally raised serious concerns regarding what he describes as "severe security lapses" at election material strongrooms located in Sivasagar. The allegations specifically target potential violations of established Election Commission of India (ECI) protocols designed to safeguard voting materials.
Specific Allegations of Protocol Violations
In a detailed representation submitted to election observer Narasimhugari TL Reddy, Saikia highlighted specific discrepancies observed at Rooms No. 12 and 15 within the Sivasagar Government Boys Higher Secondary & Multipurpose School. These rooms are designated storage facilities for election materials pertaining to three crucial assembly constituencies: Demow, Sivasagar, and Nazira.
Saikia presented photographic evidence allegedly showing that Room No. 15 was secured with only a single padlock, directly contravening the ECI's mandatory double-lock system. He cited specific guidelines issued by the Commission in March 2017 and July 2023, which require two separate locks with keys held independently by the returning officer and assistant returning officer to prevent any unilateral access.
Furthermore, the Congress leader alleged the complete absence of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) deployment and proper round-the-clock CCTV surveillance at these locations. Both measures are considered fundamental security requirements under ECI instructions. Saikia also expressed concern about the security perimeter, noting that the corridor housing the strong rooms contained adjacent "office rooms" secured with simple locks, which he argued compromised the overall security integrity.
Official Response and Counter-Claims
The district election officer has issued a strong rebuttal to these allegations. In an official statement, authorities clarified that all EVM strong rooms for the three constituencies were properly sealed on April 10 in the presence of multiple stakeholders, including election observers, police personnel, returning officers, and representatives from various political parties.
The statement emphasized that all polled Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) remain under 24x7 CCTV surveillance and are guarded by CAPF personnel, with proper logbooks being meticulously maintained. Officials explained that the rooms highlighted in Saikia's video were actually designated office spaces used for storing miscellaneous unused materials, which fall outside the strict purview of strongroom guidelines.
"As an abundant precaution, these rooms too have now been locked, sealed in the presence of party representatives, and brought under CCTV coverage," the official statement noted, reaffirming the administration's commitment to ensuring a completely free and fair electoral process.
Escalation of the Dispute
Saikia has objected to the district election officer's clarification, which was shared on social media platforms and dismissed his concerns while claiming no official complaint had been formally received. The Congress leader countered this assertion by revealing that a comprehensive representation had already been submitted to both the chief electoral officer and the chief election commissioner on April 14, well before the public statement was issued.
Characterizing the alleged lapses as "direct violations of core security guidelines," Saikia has urgently called for immediate corrective measures. His demands include the proper installation of double-lock systems, deployment of CAPF personnel at all strongroom locations, and implementation of uninterrupted CCTV coverage as mandated by election protocols.
This controversy emerges at a critical juncture in Assam's electoral landscape, highlighting the ongoing tensions between political parties and election authorities regarding the security and transparency of voting materials. Both sides maintain their positions firmly, with the Congress insisting on procedural adherence and election officials asserting that all necessary protocols have been properly implemented to safeguard the electoral process.
