Election Commission of India’s two-member team on Thursday gave thumbs-up to the security arrangements around the strong rooms where electronic voting machines (EVMs) used during February 4 Punjab polls have been kept.
On state visit after Aam Aadmi Party raised security concerns with the poll panel, the ECI team, comprising Himachal Pradesh Chief Electoral Officer Narinder Chauhan and Additional Chief Electoral Officer Rajesh Kumar from Delhi, on Thursday visited strong rooms at ludhiana, Jalandhar and Tarn Taran. The team had visited Patiala a day before.
As the ECI officials evaded media queries, the district officials maintained that they were “fully satisfied” with the security arrangements.
The team also held meetings with the election agents of various political parties.
AAP had raised questions over the security of EVMs and approached the Chief Election Commissioner Naseem Zaidi following which a team was sent for security check.
ECI delegation on Thursday examined the strongroom of the Gill constituency, where the AAP had alleged “breach of security”. District Election Officer Ravi Bhagat and Commissioner of Police Jatinder Singh Aulakh were also present on the occasion.
The team members said that they would submit their report to the Chief Election Commissioner very soon, while assuring the polling agents that the security of EVMs are being maintained at highest level.
They said that the candidates can examine the respective strong-rooms daily with the Returning Officer.
“The EC team inspected the strong-room and saw the security arrangements, CCTVs and log books. We have a three-tier security arrangement around the strong-room,” said ludhiana Deputy Commissioner Ravi Bhagat.
Notably, senior AAP leader HS Phoolka had complained to the EC that RO Gagandeep Singh along with eight unidentified persons allegedly remained in the strong-room for about half an hour where EVMs of Gill assembly constituency were kept.
AAP leaders in ludhiana termed the checking a “mere eye wash” alleging that EC officials are not paying heed to take action against returning officer of Gill constituency.
In Jalandhar, the team reviewed strong rooms and the security of EVMs and also held meeting with all political parties along with AAP representatives. They maintained that “all is well” with security arrangements.
EC team arrived in Punjab a day before to take stock of the security arrangements at strong-rooms at Patiala (Nabha), ludhiana (Gill), Jalandhar (Phillaur, Nakodar, Shahkot, Jalandhar Cantt) and Tarn Taran during their two-day tour.
AAP had complained to the EC saying that security around the strong-rooms was lax and local officials were allowing unauthorised people to enter the strong rooms.
Two incidents, one where people were seen entering the strongroom in ludhiana and another of EVM boxes being moved in Patiala, were pointed out to the EC in the AAP complaints.
The Congress and the BJP leaders in Punjab have blamed the AAP leadership for creating panic over the issue.