MP EVMs safe, under 3-tier vigil: Rao; Cong not convinced

Madhya Pradesh's top poll officer Monday sought to allay doubts about the security of EVMs kept in strongrooms, saying these machines are safe and put under a three-layered surveillance system backed by CCTV cameras.

The assertion by state Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) V L Kantha Rao came amidst the Congress raising doubts over the security of EVMs which contain the votes cast in the November 28 election for the 230 Assembly seats in the state.

The Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), kept in strongrooms across the state, will be opened on December 11 for counting.

"All the machines reached the strongrooms by the morning of November 29. These strongrooms were locked in the presence of candidates, observers and other officials," Rao told reporters here.

He said there is a three-tier security cordon around the strongrooms - central security forces are deployed near the strong room, state armed personnel posted in the second layer and local police are manning the outer layer.

"A security protocol is being followed and nobody, including the returning officer, is allowed to enter with a mobile phone and without due entry in the register.

"The candidates and their representatives are also allowed to keep watch and tents have been installed for them," he said.

Rao said, "Where the gates of strongrooms are not visible, LED screens were installed so that the candidates and their representatives can watch them (from outside)."