All electronic voting machines used for the Assembly election in the six Assembly constituencies in the district have been kept in high-security strong rooms under the round-the-clock surveillance of the Tamil Nadu Special Force (TNSF) personnel. Thirty TNSF personnel have been deployed at the two counting centres - one at AVC College in Mayiladuthurai for three constituencies of Sirkazhi, Mayiladuthurai and Poompuhar; and another at E.G.S.Pillay Engineering College in Nagapattinam for the rest three constituencies of Nagapattinam, Vedaranyam and Keezhvelur.
Further, the strong room for each constituency is being monitored by a sub-inspector and 14 constables. A Deputy Superintendent of Police has been mandated to supervise the personnel for the strong rooms for constituencies under Mayiladuthurai-based counting centre and for the strong rooms under Nagapattinam-based centre. Besides, two web cameras and four close-circuit cameras have been installed to keep vigil on those strong rooms. Additionally, officials in rank of deputy Collector or above have been posted at each constituency round-the-clock in three shifts.
“Electricity connection to the strong rooms have been snapped shut and stand-by generators and invertors have been put in place. Two fire tenders have been deployed for three constituencies each, and each constituency has been provided with fire extinguishers,” District Election Officer and Collector C.Munianathan told The Hindu .
The district administration has written to the contesting candidates to designate an agent of theirs for surveillance of the strong rooms. “However, the nominee should be clear of criminal records,” Mr.Munianathan said. Once designated, the agent of the candidate shall be issued photo ID.
Pudukottai
All the EVMs used at the 1,238 polling booths in the six constituencies in the district have been brought to the Government Arts College for Women here and kept in the strong rooms, said Collector A. Suganthi. Besides the deployment of armed police personnel round-the-clock web cameras have been installed. In addition, a couple of revenue officials, including an official in the rank of Deputy Tahsildar would be on duty. The Collector said a three-tier security structure had been put in place and would be in force till May 13. The security arrangement was being monitored by a special team led by Vincent Jayaraj, Deputy Superintendent of Police. The team consists of 12 constables and a sub-inspector.
The strong rooms were sealed in the presence of election observers – K.V.Ramana, Rajesh Kumar Singh, Nipun Vinayak, Revathi Charan Patel; Superintendent of Police M.S.Muthusamy; returning officers; candidates and agents.
