Concerns Raised Over Security of Election Materials in Assam

Security Lapses in Strongrooms Highlighted

Guwahati, April 15: Debabrata Saikia, the Leader of Opposition in the Assam Assembly, has raised alarms regarding significant security breaches concerning the strongrooms that house post-election materials, questioning the integrity of the electoral process.

In a correspondence addressed to Chief Electoral Officer Anurag Goel, Saikia pointed out serious shortcomings at the strongrooms situated in Sivasagar Government HS & MP School, where materials from various constituencies, including Nazira, have been stored following the Assembly elections held on April 9.

"During my inspection of the Material Safety Cell earlier today, I noted that Rooms No. 11, 12, and 13, which are meant for storing election materials from Nazira and other constituencies, are not being maintained according to the standards set by the Election Commission of India (ECI)," Saikia stated in his letter dated April 14.

He alleged that numerous strongroom doors were inadequately secured, with many simply closed from the inside or held shut with basic latches, failing to meet ECI security requirements.

Among the various access points he examined, only one door was equipped with a padlock, which he claimed was not properly secured.

In certain instances, doors could reportedly be opened with minimal external force, rendering the storage areas susceptible to unauthorized entry, he noted.

A critical violation mentioned was the lack of a required double-lock system. Saikia asserted that most doors were either single-locked or locked from the inside, directly violating ECI protocols.

Out of six doors across three designated rooms for election materials, only one was found to be secured with the mandated double-lock mechanism.

The Leader of Opposition also pointed out the absence of a dedicated sentry post near the strongrooms, claiming that personnel from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) present at the location indicated that guarding the election materials was not part of their responsibilities.

"The lack of proper sealing, double-locking, and security measures poses a serious risk of tampering or misuse of essential election materials, including statutory forms and sealed packets," Saikia wrote.

The Congress leader has provided photographic and video evidence to back his claims and has called for immediate action. He urged for a comprehensive investigation, strict adherence to security protocols, the deployment of dedicated guards, and accountability for officials responsible for these lapses.

"Given the circumstances, I request your prompt intervention to initiate an immediate inquiry into this issue, ensure strict compliance with ECI guidelines, enhance security measures including a dedicated sentry post, and take necessary actions against those responsible for these oversights," Saikia stated in his letter.

With the vote counting set for May 4, these allegations have raised significant concerns at a crucial juncture of the electoral process.