Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)
Mangaluru, Apr 20: The electronic voting machines (EVM) which contain the verdict of the people about the future of the candidates fighting it out in the Lok Sabha election were safely kept inside the strong rooms created inside National Institute of Technology Karnataka at Suratkal. Round the clock security has been provided to these strong rooms.
The EVMs of different assembly constituencies forming part of Dakshina Kannada Lok Sabha constituency were first accounted for and tallied after which they were placed inside the strong rooms. The entire exercise which began the previous night continued till 10 am on Friday.
EVMs guarded at Suratkal
EVMs guarded at Udupi
EVMs being unloaded at Suratkal
The EVMs will be opened on May 23 for counting. Election commission has made arrangements to provide foolproof security to the machines. Central Reserve Police Force and police department are providing joint security to the strong rooms that are locked and sealed.
Deputy commissioner of the district, Sasikanth Senthil, assistant commissioner, Ravichandra, city police commissioner, Sandeep Patil, deputy commissioner of police, Hanumantharaya, and other officials visited the centre on Friday and verified the security and other arrangements.
Udupi: The EVMs of Udupi - Chikkamagaluru Lok Sabha constituencies have been arranged inside the strong rooms at St Cecily School at Ajjarkad here. Round the clock security has been arranged, and 35 armed women police contingent of Central Reserve Police Force along with four male colleagues have undertaken the responsibility of security.
Two ten-member contingents of district armed reserve police force have been forming outer cover of security cordon for the EVMs here. Two anti-sabotage vehicles, metal detectors fitted to all the doors of all rooms, 105 CCTV cameras, 69 head constables and constables will be assisting in keeping round the clock vigil at the spot. Over 150 officials including higher level officials are on security duty here.
St Cecily School was preferred as strong room as it has sufficient number of rooms. 18 strong rooms have been set up there. Rooms have been distributed among different assembly constituencies depending on the number of polling booths in each of them.