Telangana assembly elections: EVMs under 3-tier security, Congress allowed to deploy vigilance teams

HYDERABAD: As India waits with bated breath to understand the folk’s mandate in Telangana, it’s the central paramilitary forces, who're guarding EVMs across the state amid a three-tier safety construction with CCTVs in place. The destiny of contestants is sealed in these machines in 48 places and will probably be opened on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, in a vital late-night decision on Saturday, the Election Commission accepted the Congress and its allies to deploy vigilance teams at EVM robust rooms.

Responding to an pressing representation made by way of TPCC treasurer, Gudur Narayana Reddy, fearing tampering and substitute of polled-EVMs, the Election Commission of India accepted the Congress-led People’s Front to depute vigilance teams at robust rooms where EVMs are stored.

In his representation, Gudur Narayana, mentioned, “Many of our People’s Front leaders have expressed apprehension that the spare EVMs may be tampered with, and votes could be solid in favour of TRS. EVMs may be changed wherever they feel that the People’s Front is forward in the fray. In view of the above reason why, kindly permit us to deploy our cadre to stay a vigil at the robust rooms where EVMs are stored.”

In reaction, leader electoral officer, Rajat Kumar advised Gudur Narayana over the phone that the contesting candidates could deploy their teams at robust rooms. Subsequently, TPCC leader N Uttam Kumar Reddy spoke to all the candidates of People’s Front asking them to deploy devoted teams at robust rooms till the counting day on December 11.

At the robust rooms, the first layer is the inner safety ring this is fortified by way of central paramilitary forces and final two layers are guarded by way of state police.

At least 25 firms of paramilitary force comprising 90 policemen every have been deployed at these key places. On Saturday, no one was allowed anywhere near the premises of counting stations. On counting day, EVMs will probably be opened in entrance permitted representatives of political events.

All doors and ventilators at every location are shut and the lone door, which accesses the corridor has been sealed with armed body of workers on the entrance.

Speaking to TOI, further director-general of police (legislation and order) Jitender mentioned, “Arrangements have been done in accordance with Election Commission of India guidelines. Surveillance and continuous supervision are key to safety,’’ advised TOI.

On day of counting, Section 144 CrPC will probably be imposed at these places, and a superintendent-rank officer will supervise every centre. Due to safety causes, counting in any respect four constituencies in South Zone of Hyderabad commissionerate will probably be held at West or Central zones. Counting for Chandrayangutta constituency will take place at Nizam College. For Charminar and Yakutpura constituencies, the procedure will take place at Exhibition Grounds and for Bahadurpura constituency, EVMs will probably be opened at Technical Education Department, Masab Tank.

Cyberabad police commissioner, VC Sajjnar, visited the counting station at Shamshabad where EVMs related to eight constituencies are saved.