Guwahati: Assam assembly leader of opposition and senior Congress leader Debabrata Saikia has raised alarm over what he termed “severe security lapses” at election material strongrooms in Sivasagar, alleging violations of Election Commission of India (ECI) protocols.In a representation to election observer Narasimhugari TL Reddy, Saikia pointed to discrepancies at Rooms No. 12 and 15 of the Sivasagar Govt Boys HS & MP School, where materials for three assembly constituencies — Demow, Sivasagar, and Nazira — are stored.The district election officer strongly refuted the charges, clarifying in a statement that EVM strong rooms for all three constituencies were sealed on April 10 in the presence of observers, police, returning officers, and party representatives. The statement added that the polled EVMs are under 24×7 CCTV surveillance and CAPF guard, with proper logbooks maintained.
Officials said the adjoining rooms highlighted in Saikia’s video were designated office spaces for storing miscellaneous unused materials, which fall outside the purview of strongroom guidelines. “As an abundant precaution, these rooms too have now been locked, sealed in the presence of party representatives, and brought under CCTV coverage,” the statement said, reaffirming commitment to a free and fair electoral process.Saikia objected to the district election officer’s clarification, shared on social media, which dismissed his concerns and claimed no official complaint had been received. He countered that a representation had already been submitted to the chief electoral officer and the chief election commissioner on April 14.Calling the lapses “direct violations of core security guidelines”, Saikia urged immediate corrective measures, including installation of double-lock systems, deployment of CAPF personnel, and round-the-clock CCTV coverage.Saikia claimed photographic evidence shows Room No. 15 secured with only a single padlock, instead of the mandated double-lock system. He cited ECI guidelines from March 2017 and July 2023, which require two separate locks with keys held by the returning officer and assistant returning officer respectively, to prevent unilateral access.The Congress leader further alleged the absence of CAPF deployment and CCTV surveillance, both mandatory under ECI instructions. He also said the corridor housing the strong rooms contained “office rooms” secured with simple locks, compromising the inner security perimeter.
