Northeast Desk, 29th April: Mr. D Anandan, the Chief Electoral Officer of Sikkim, conducted a visit to the strong rooms established at Namchi Government College, Kamrang for Namchi district on April 29.
Accompanied by Mrs. Annapurna Alley, DEO/DC, Namchi, Dr. Tsering Namgyal Gyatso, Sr. SP Namchi, and Mrs. Bhumika Chettri, Deputy Secretary (Election), the CEO’s visit aimed to oversee the security measures in place for the stored Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) at the strong room, monitor the control room operations, and manage various other election-related matters.
During the inspection, the CEO instructed the DEO to ensure strict adherence to guidelines for the strong rooms and to enhance security at critical locations to prevent any lapses or untoward incidents.
To bolster surveillance, the CEO directed the establishment of a separate control room in an adjacent area and mandated the maintenance of daily backups of CCTV footage.
Furthermore, the CEO inquired about daily monitoring activities, logbook maintenance, electricity availability, fire safety measures, and other essential supplies. The DC and Sr. SP provided detailed explanations of the procedures and precautions implemented to ensure adequate security.
In addition to inspecting the strong room, the CEO also visited the camp where political representatives are stationed to maintain vigilance against any malpractice involving the stored EVMs. He inquired about the live footage from inside the strong rooms displayed at their camp and the other facilities provided to them.