Assam Congress Alleges Major Security Lapses in Strongrooms Storing EVMs and Ballot Boxes

The Assam Pradesh Congress Committee has raised serious concerns regarding the safety of Electronic Voting Machines and postal ballot boxes, alleging significant security breaches at several strongrooms across the state. In a formal complaint addressed to the Election Commission, party leaders pointed to specific incidents where unauthorized personnel were reportedly seen near the restricted storage areas. The Congress has demanded an immediate review of the CCTV footage and a strengthening of the multi-tier security cordons to ensure the integrity of the stored votes until the day of counting.

The opposition party further alleged that at certain locations, the protocol for logbook entries and the physical monitoring of strongroom seals was not being strictly followed by the local administration. These allegations have sparked a fresh political row, with the Congress urging for a “transparent and fool-proof” process to prevent any potential tampering. While election officials have maintained that all standard operating procedures are being rigorously implemented, the APCC has called on its booth-level workers and volunteers to remain vigilant and maintain a 24/7 watch outside the designated counting centres to safeguard the democratic mandate.