R ARIVANANTHAM
CHENNAI, APR 24
With the electoral battle entering its decisive phase, political parties in Tamil Nadu have intensified vigilance over Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), even as the Election Commission of India (ECI) completed the transfer of polled machines to high-security strong rooms following the April 23 Assembly elections.
- DMK, AIADMK mount round-the-clock vigil ahead of May 4 counting day
- EVMs, VVPATs sealed and secured under multi-layered surveillance system
- Central forces, CCTV and observers ensure strict monitoring across 234 constituencies
- Parties stress transparency, deploy trained cadres with ID access at centres
- High-stakes triangular contest heightens political sensitivity around vote security
In a rare show of parallel monitoring, both the ruling DMK and the opposition AIADMK have stationed their cadres at designated centres, maintaining a 24/7 shift-based vigil until counting day on May 4.
R M Babu Murugavel, Joint Secretary of the AIADMK Legal Wing, said, “Our cadres will be on the campus round the clock on a shift basis where the EVMs and VVPATs are stored.” He added that all entry and exit points will be closely monitored and security will remain tight till counting begins.
Echoing similar preparedness, DMK functionary G Venkatesan stated, “We have also ensured safe drinking water facilities and food supply to our cadres, who will be ensuring the safety of EVMs and VVPATs.”
Highlighting coordination, he added, “We have also instructed our cadres to be friendly with other political parties’ functionaries so that there will be smooth monitoring activities.”
Meanwhile, the Election Commission of India underscored the robustness of its security protocol. According to EC sources, “the strong rooms have been sealed in the presence of political party representatives and election observers with required documentation and video recording.”
Reinforcing confidence in the system, the ECI further stated, “CCTV cameras have been installed in all the strong rooms across the state and they would be monitored round the clock,” alongside deployment of Central Armed Police Forces and Tamil Nadu Special Police.
A senior official noted that political party representatives have been permitted to keep vigil under strict terms and conditions, ensuring transparency without compromising security.
The heightened alert comes amid a high-stakes electoral contest across all 234 Assembly constituencies, with the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance seeking to retain power, while the AIADMK-led NDA pushes for a comeback. Adding a new dimension, Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam is attempting to disrupt the long-standing bipolar dominance in the state.
As Tamil Nadu awaits the verdict, the focus has firmly shifted from campaigning to credibility, custody and counting, with every stakeholder keeping a watchful eye on the sanctity of the electoral process.
