After the conclusion of polling in Telangana, the contesting candidates and their followers are spending sleepless nights for protection of electronic voting machines (EVMs). The future of these candidates lies in these electronic gadgets. As the counting is got be held on December 11, after a gap of four days, the political parties are having high concerns over safe keeping these machines.
The candidates of opposition People’s Front are particularly apprehensive of likelihood of tampering of the EVMs which is why they are demanding setting up of jammers at counting centres. The jammers are expected to prevent any possibility of tampering of blue tooth chips set up in the machines. The candidates have sought increased capacity for jammers being set up at the counting centres.
Right from the moment polling concluded on December 7 evening, Congress, TDP and TJS candidates placed a close vigil on shifting of EVMs from polling booths to counting centres. They are afraid there may be tampering of EVMs during transportation as well. After the machines are placed in strong rooms, the candidates and their followers are placing close vigil in the vicinity of these rooms. This is going to continue till counting is completed and results announced on December 11.
Following such demands, Chief Electoral Officer Rajat Kumar has announced the Election Commission has given permission for round the clock vigil by contesting candidates at strong rooms. This is despite heavy police security and to ensure confidence in political parties in counting process.
