A Central Observer's attempt to override Kerala's strong-room protocols led to a tense standoff Thursday evening at Baselios College in Kottayam, where CISF personnel allegedly pointed weapons at local officials. Officials from the state Chief Electoral Officer's office said the matter was resolved peacefully.
A confrontation unfolded Thursday evening at the EVM strongroom in Baselios College, Kottayam, housing machines for the Vaikom constituency. Central Observer Ranjit Kumar Sinha, a 2005-batch IAS officer appointed by the Election Commission of India, directed that keys to the strong-room locks be sealed and left attached, with only spares retained by officials. He cited this as standard in states like West Bengal and Assam, state CEO officials said.
Kerala's protocol requires two separate locks on the strongroom, with one key held by the Returning Officer (RO) and the other by the Assistant Returning Officer (ARO), ensuring joint access. Kottayam West Police objected on security grounds, as did the RO.
Ettumanoor UDF candidate and DCC president Nattakam Suresh, along with election agent G Gopakumar, filed complaints with District Collector Chetan Kumar Meena and CEO Rathan U Kelkar. CISF personnel, following the observer's instructions, clashed with state police and election officials in a tense moment.
The standoff resolved after talks between the observer and District Collector, reverting to Kerala's original procedure. Keys were handed to the RO and ARO, and the doors reinforced with plywood sheets and a wooden plank. Sinha did not respond to queries. CEO Kelkar noted EVMs and VVPATs are stored under candidate representatives' watch, with videography, two-tier armed security, and CCTV. Counting in Vaikom (SC) is set for May 4.
