Attempt to open EVM strong room in Kazhakkoottam constituency withdrawn due to mounting protests

Thiruvananthapuram: The district administration attempted to open the strong room where a damaged voting machine was stored in Kazhakkoottam constituency. As BJP and UDF workers opposed this, the returning officer withdrew from the move.

The political parties came to know about the returning officer’s decision to open the strong room, where the ballots of Kazhakkoottam constituency are kept, on Saturday morning. They were informed of the move only an hour before opening the strong room. However, the decision was withdrawn due to intense protest from UDF and BJP.

UDF candidate SS Lal informed that only the BJP and UDF candidates have disagreement with opening the strong room and LDF candidate has no problem with it. This seems suspicious. Normally, once the strong room is sealed, it will be opened on the counting day, he alleged.

SS Lal further said that the decision to change the damaged voting machine seems suspicious as there are no elections round the corner at present. BJP also alleged that the bureaucrats and the ruling party are behind the attempt to open strong room.