Guwahati, Apr 15: Leader of Opposition in Assam assembly, Debabrata Saikia, has written to the Election Commission, alleging “serious breach” of norms in securing strongrooms designated for several constituencies, including Nazira, from where he is contesting as a Congress candidate.
In a letter to Chief Electoral Officer Anurag Goel, he claimed “severe and alarming breach and violations” of EC guidelines in the handling, storage and security of post-poll election materials for the constituencies.
Saikia also provided “photographic and video evidence” along with the letter.
Polling for all 126 Assam assembly constituencies took place on April 9. Votes will be counted on May 4.
“During my visit to the Material Safety Cell today noon, I observed that Rooms No. 11, 12, and 13, designated for storing election materials of Nazira and other Constituencies, are not being maintained in accordance with the prescribed ECI norms,” Saikia said in the letter, dated April 14.
He was referring to the strongrooms in Sibsagar Govt HS & MP School.
The condition of the access points to these strongrooms reflects “serious non-compliance” with established security protocols, and out of the doors inspected, only one was secured with a padlock and even that was not properly sealed, he alleged.
“Several doors were merely shut from the inside or fastened with simple latches, making them easily accessible with minimal manipulation. In multiple instances, doors were either single-locked or locked internally, without adherence to the mandatory double-lock system,” Saikia said.
Among three rooms designated for the storage of election papers for Nazira and other assembly constituencies, only one of six doors was properly secured with a double-lock system, and one of the doors containing election papers of Nazira could be opened with slight external pressure, he said in the letter.
The Congress leader also shared a video clip, in which he is seen talking to officials concerned and pointing out the claimed lapses in the rooms containing election materials as pointed out in the letter.
“Sensitive election papers were thus found to be inadequately secured and exposed, thereby jeopardising the sanctity, transparency, and credibility of the electoral process. It was also observed that there was no dedicated sentry post near the storage area,” the LoP alleged.
Upon inquiry, CRPF personnel indicated that their deployment did not specifically include safeguarding the election material rooms, reflecting a “serious lapse” in security arrangements, he claimed.
“The absence of proper sealing, double-locking, and security arrangements creates a significant risk of tampering or misuse of critical election materials, including statutory forms and sealed packets,” Saikia said.
Citing EC rules and highlighting its “violations”, he asserted that election papers, other than those stored with EVMs, must be kept in a treasury or sub-treasury or in a properly secured strongroom with a double-lock system under authorised supervision.
“In view of the above, I request your urgent intervention to order an immediate inquiry into the matter, ensure strict compliance with ECI guidelines, provide adequate security arrangements including a dedicated sentry post, and take appropriate action against officials responsible for such lapses,” Saikia said in the letter.
A record 85.96 per cent of Assam’s 2.51 crore electorate exercised their franchise in the single-phase election on April 9. (PTI)
