Concerns Raised Over Security of Election Materials in Assam
Security Issues in Assam's Election Strongrooms
A file image of Congress leader, Debabrata Saikia. (Photo:X)
Guwahati, Apr 18: Debabrata Saikia, the Leader of Opposition in the outgoing Assam Assembly, has raised alarms regarding significant security shortcomings in the strongroom designated for election materials from three constituencies: Demow, Sivasagar, and Nazira.
In a communication addressed to Election Observer T L Reddy, Saikia pointed out that the conditions in Rooms 12 and 15 at Sivasagar Government Boys HS and MP School represent “direct violations” of essential guidelines established by the Election Commission of India.
The elections for Assam’s 126 Assembly constituencies took place on April 9, with the counting of votes set for May 4.
Saikia provided “photographic evidence” alongside his letter, asserting that the two doors of the strongroom are secured by a single padlock on one side, while the other door is simply closed from the inside.
“This situation is in direct and alarming violation of the Election Commission of India’s stringent directives aimed at preventing unauthorized access to sensitive election materials,” he stated.
He emphasized that the lack of a double-lock system is a breach of EC regulations, which stipulate that “strongrooms should have only one entry point and a double lock system,” with separate keys held by both the Returning Officer and the Assistant Returning Officer.
“The existence of only a single lock renders these shared-key security protocols completely ineffective,” Saikia argued.
Additionally, he criticized the “total breakdown” of required perimeter security and surveillance, noting that the current arrangement contravenes EC rules mandating that the “innermost perimeter must be guarded by CAPF, while the outer perimeter should be secured by State Armed Police,” along with “at least one platoon of CAPF for round-the-clock security.”
He also highlighted the “complete lack” of surveillance, which violates directives that require the installation of “CCTV cameras with adequate storage capacity” to monitor sealed doors, corridors, and security zones.
“Moreover, I must express my strong disapproval of the press release issued by the District Administration, which dismissed my concerns and claimed that no official complaint had been filed,” Saikia remarked.
He confirmed that a detailed representation outlining these “serious lapses” had already been submitted to the Chief Electoral Officer and Chief Election Commissioner on April 14.
Maintaining rooms with a “simple lock and key” adjacent to the polled EVM strongrooms “fundamentally undermines the entire inner security perimeter,” he stated, adding that permitting unsecured rooms in the same corridor “completely nullifies this inner perimeter.”
Saikia urged the observer to acknowledge the “documented lapses” to uphold the integrity and credibility of the electoral process.