MARGAO
A three-tier security cover has been thrown around the multi-purpose building strongroom in Borda where all the 810 electronic voting machines (EVMs) from South Goa constituency have been kept.
While the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) is guarding the strongroom, Goa armed police and the local police are maintaining round-the-clock vigil beginning from Wednesday noon.
The strongroom housing the EVMs was sealed at around 1 pm on Wednesday by the election officials “ nearly 20 hours after 4.22 lakh voters from South Goa sealed the fate of the candidates on Tuesday evening.
Returning Officer and District Electoral Officer Ajit Roy told The Goan that the 810 EVMs are all sealed inside the strongroom which will be guarded by round-the-clock three-tier security. The entire complex, including the strongroom, have been secured by CCTV cameras.
A visit to the multi-purpose building revealed that a metal detector frame has been installed right at the entrance, while CCTV surveillance camera monitors the entry and exit of people. A bunker manned by a CISF personnel stands erected right at the entrance, while Goa armed police personnel man another bunker a little away from the building.
Near the temple at the entrance to the complex, Goa armed police personnel are maintaining round-the-clock security, questioning people entering the road to cross over to the side of the building.
A traffic police personnel is posted on the main road to clear rush of traffic near the entrance to the centre, while a fire tender from the Margao fire brigade and firemen are permanently posted inside the complex.
Information revealed that as many as three police inspectors of the Goa police have been deployed at the centre to work in shifts to monitor the security in and around the building.
A make-shift control room headed by a police sub-inspector has been set up inside the building with facilities like wireless.
