Three security layers for guarding EVMs

The assembly elections in Delhi might have passed off largely peacefully but for the security agencies, the work is not over yet as the central paramilitary forces along with Delhi Police have been entrusted with the task of guarding the centres.

The assembly elections in Delhi might have passed off largely peacefully but for the security agencies, the work is not over yet.

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They now have the daunting task of securing the counting centres where 13,390 electronic voting machines (EVM) have been kept. Counting is scheduled to take place on December 8 and more than 1,000 paramilitary forces and policemen have been pressed into action to secure the ‘strong rooms’.

The central paramilitary forces along with Delhi Police have been entrusted with the task of guarding the centres. While the paramilitary forces would guard the first layer of security ring around the strong rooms, the second ring would be guarded by Home Guards and the third ring by the local police. For the task, 729 paramilitary personnel and more than 350 Home Guards have been put on duty.

“There are 11 counting centres in the city where the EVMs have been kept and security agencies have been given clear instructions to guard the strong rooms,” said J.K. Sharma, deputy electoral

officer.

Delhi Police spokesman Rajan Bhagat said: “The security personnel would ensure that no unauthorised person enters the counting centres. Entry would be restricted to only those with valid documents.”

Delhi Police Commissioner Y.S. Dadwal was personally monitoring the election process across the city. Senior officers said in wake of Mumbai terror attacks more forces were deployed and extra precautions were taken.

More than 50,000 security personnel had been roped in for the polling duty.