Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Mar 13: A well-equipped warehouse is being built in the city to store electronic voting machines, VVPats and control units, which are different parts of the voting machine, relating to eight assembly constituencies in Dakshina Kannada district.

This warehouse will come up behind the deputy commissioner’s office complex that is under construction at Padil here. The work began one and half months back, and it is planned to be completed by February next year. Dakshina Kannada District Nirmiti Kendra has been entrusted with the responsibility of construction.

Currently, the machines pertaining to all the assembly constituencies have been stored in the strong room attached to the current DC office. Once the new DC office comes up at Padil, all the departments will be shifted there. Therefore, a strong room for electronic voting machines too is coming up there. The warehouse will be having ground floor and two storeys, which will be built at a cost of Rs 5.19 crore. The building is being constructed as per the guidelines of the Election Commission, duly keeping in mind the number of voting machines which might be required for the next 30 years.

All kinds of security measures will be provided to the building which will have a single entry point. Its windows and window doors would be sealed. A small ventilation system, safety alarm, CCTV, fire systems etc would be provided. The facility will be guarded 24 hours by armed policemen. The locks will be operated under the double lock system, and one set of keys will be with the returning officer (DC) of the district and the other set known as second keys will be with the deputy election officer.