With the exit poll results declared and the stage all set for the big day when the Election Commission of India declares the official results of the Assembly elections to the Telangana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh Assembly elections on Sunday, December 3, the focus now shifts to the counting process and the arrangements around it. Electronic Voting Machines, or EVMs, have been topic of discussion around each election and it is pertinent to look at how the ECI secures an EVM from the strong room to the polling station and back.
During non-poll period
During the non-poll period, all available EVMs in a district are stored in a treasury (or a warehouse). They are kept under the direct control of the District Electoral Officer (DEO). In case of unavailability of storage space, exceptions can be made. However, the designated treasury (or warehouse) should not be below the level of tehsil. The place is secured by a double lock and guarded round the clock by cops or security guards. The warehouse is also under CCTV surveillance. During a non-poll period, without specific instructions from the ECI, EVMs cannot be moved out of the warehouse. In the presence of representatives of political parties, the first-level check of the EVMs by engineers is done here.
During poll season
Closer to the poll date, EVMs are allocated randomly to various Assembly segments. This is done with the help of software in the presence of party representatives. In case representatives are absent, a list of allocated EVMs and VVPAT machines for each Assembly segment is shared with the office of the political parties. From here onwards, the Returning Officer (RO) of the Assembly segment takes charge of the allocated EVMs and stores them in allotted strong rooms.
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The second round of randomisation takes place here. In the presence of political party representatives, EVMs are commissioned to specific polling stations. Candidates are advised by the Election Commission to share the machine numbers with their respective polling agents so that they can verify these before polling starts.
After all machines are prepared, the strong room is sealed in the presence of party representatives. They can also also put their seal on the locks. The strong room is guarded 24*7. The place is under the charge of a senior police officer (not below the rank of a Deputy Superintendent of Police).
After being sealed, the strong room can only be opened on a fixed date and time. This is done when the machines have to be handed over to the polling parties. They are taken to designated polling stations. In advance, all candidates and their election agents are informed about the date and time of opening of the strong rooms.
In addition to machines allocated to specific polling stations, a few EVMs are also taken from the strong rooms and kept in a central place in the Assembly. This is done so that defective machines can be replaced with as little delay as possible.
From booth back to strong room
After voting ends, EVMs are taken to the strong rooms right away. The Presiding Officer must prepare an account of votes recorded in the machines. An attested copy of this is given to each candidate’s polling agent. The EVM is sealed after this.
On the seals, candidates and their agents are allowed to put their signatures. From the polling station to the strong room, candidates or their representatives travel behind vehicles carrying EVMs. At the same time, reserve EVMs should also be returned.
After all used EVMs have arrived, the strong room is sealed, and the candidates or their representative are permitted to put their seals or locks as well. Round the clock, they are also allowed to keep a watch on the strong rooms.
After being sealed, the strong room cannot be opened again. On the morning of counting day, the strong room is opened. Due to some unavoidable reason, if the strong room has to be opened before the counting day, it can only be done in the presence of the candidates or their representatives. They are allowed to put their seals or locks again after the room is closed.
On the day of the results, counting begins only after the candidate or his/her polling agent has inspected the machine number and whether the seal is not broken.