Thiruvananthapuram

The Election Commission of India has instructed all District Election Officers and Returning Officers in Kerala that strong rooms containing poll materials must not be opened under any circumstances before vote counting day.

The directive was issued by Kerala Chief Electoral Officer Rathan U Kelkar after reports emerged that a room storing EVM-related materials in Perambra had been opened on Monday, along with indications that another room in Nenmara might also be accessed.

According to an official statement, no strong room or unsealed room should be opened for preparing Index Cards or checking information on the ENCORE portal. Officials were told to follow the directions strictly to protect the integrity, transparency and security of the electoral process.

Earlier, the Kozhikode district administration clarified that no strong room had been opened. District Collector Snehil Kumar Singh said an unsealed material room at JDT Islam Higher Secondary School was accessed in the presence of candidates’ agents only to verify and update polling records.

He added that Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and VVPATs remained securely stored in a sealed strong room on the first floor under the supervision of central observers and representatives of candidates, and that room was not opened.

However, leaders of the Indian National Congress and the United Democratic Front alleged that the episode violated election procedures.

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The results of the April 9 Assembly elections for 140 constituencies in Kerala are scheduled to be announced on May 4.