Election Commission Restricts Access to Polling Material Rooms in Kerala
EC bars opening of ‘polling material rooms’
The Hindu
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The Election Commission of India has prohibited the opening of polling material rooms before vote counting day, following controversies in Kozhikode and Palakkad. This directive aims to ensure the integrity of the electoral process, particularly concerning the storage of electronic voting machines.
- 01Election Commission of India issues directive to prevent early opening of polling material rooms.
- 02Controversy arose from the opening of a strong room in Kozhikode.
- 03Plans to open another strong room in Nemmara, Palakkad, were reported.
- 04Directive issued by Kerala's Chief Electoral Officer, Rathan U. Kelkar.
- 05The decision aims to maintain the integrity of the electoral process.
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In response to recent controversies regarding the premature opening of polling material rooms, the Election Commission of India (EC) has issued a directive to all district election officers and returning officers in Kerala. The directive, announced by Chief Electoral Officer Rathan U. Kelkar, specifically prohibits the opening of strong rooms containing electronic voting machines (EVMs) before the official vote counting day. This decision follows reports of a strong room being opened in the Perambra constituency of Kozhikode and plans to open another in Nemmara, Palakkad. The EC's directive aims to safeguard the electoral process and prevent any potential tampering or irregularities with the voting materials.
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This directive is crucial for ensuring the integrity of the electoral process in Kerala, directly affecting the conduct of upcoming elections.
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