Chennai: To protect the electronic voting machines (EVMs) and relevant documents after the completion of polls, from the reach of unauthorized persons, the centers in which they are stored comprises of a three-tier security arrangement. The total number of counting centers across the state is 45. The district and city police personal in connection with the transportation of the polled EVMs through the night to ensure that they were deposited in the counting centers safely exercised extreme and constant vigilance. After the EVMs and important documents were kept in the respective centers, the centers were sealed and three-tier security system has been set up at all the counting centers to prevent the entry of unauthorized persons. The police personnel were designated with the job of safeguarding the control units and ballot units that were taken to the Returning Officers’ strong rooms with proper escort. The poll officers sealed the strong rooms while the representatives from political parties were present. The strong room comprises one entry point and double locking system and is under CCTV surveillance The City Police Commissioner Mr. A.K. Viswanathan said that the inner security is largely manned by the Central armed police forces. The middle security is at the gate of the counting premises and is manned by the State Armed Police. The outer area comprising of local police personnel, numbering around 1000 who operate on a rotation basis and headed by a Deputy Superintendent of Police/Assistant Commissioner of Police.]]>
