A three-tier security cover has been put in place at the strongroom in Madurai Medical College where electronic voting machines (EVMs), which were used for polling on Thursday, have been stored.
As many as 1,476 EVMs which were used for polling across the six Assembly segments in the constituency have been kept in the strongroom. The room was sealed by Election Observer (General) Rani Kumuthini and District Collector L. Subramanian in the presence of agents of various political parties.
Congress candidate T.N. Bharat Nachiappan and Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) candidate D. Sivamuthukumar were among those present.
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Speaking about the security arrangements, Mr. Subramanian said round-the-clock protection would be provided to the strong room by the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Armed Police and personnel from the City Police until the counting of votes were over on May 16.
“The rooms have also been brought under camera surveillance and the happenings will be monitored at a central control room. There will be 24-hour monitoring of the visuals by officials from the district administration and police personnel at the control room,” he noted.
Mr. Subramanian said a room with all basic facilities such as drinking water and mobile toilets had been kept ready for the agents, who would be present at the counting centre, to stay.
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Earlier, Inspector General and Commissioner of Police Sanjay Mathur visited the counting centre and reviewed the security arrangements, officials said, and added that entry into the “sterile zone” would be restricted.
No persons without proper authorisation would be permitted inside, they added.