Senior Deputy Election Commissioner of India Umesh Sinha held a video-conference with the Chief Electoral Officers (CEO) of States on the security of strongrooms on Saturday. He explained the protocols laid down by the Election Commission of India (ECI) and called for daily reports from the District Election Officers (DEOs).
Besides, Mr. Sinha ordered that the Deputy Election Commissioners should take utmost care of the counting of votes (May 23) which was the most crucial part of the election process.
Participating in the video-conference, Andhra Pradesh Additional CEO Sujatha Sarma said the DEOs were instructed to strictly follow the procedures thereby ensure that the strongrooms were safe, and also keep themselves acquainted with the process of counting of votes.
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The Deputy Election Commissioners have to inspect the strongrooms twice a day and submit video-recordings thereof and take necessary steps for protecting the EVMs from natural calamities and fire accidents, she stated.
Mr. Sinha further said the guidelines related to counting of Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trails should be implemented in accordance with the established procedures and directions of the Supreme Court.