EVMs 'totally safe' in strongrooms: EC

New Delhi, May 21 The Election Commission Tuesday declared that EVMs used in the Lok Sabha polls are "totally safe" in strongrooms, rejecting allegations that the voting machines used in the elections were being exchanged with fresh ones ahead of counting of votes on May 23.

Alluding to the claims and complaints, the commission said it would like to "emphatically and unambiguously" clarify that all such report and allegations are "completely false and factually incorrect."

The visuals on TV and social media "don't pertain to any EVMs used during the polls", it said.

In aa statement, the EC stated, after the end of polls, all polled EVMs and VVPATs are brought under security cover to designated strongrooms, which are fixed with twofold secures within the sight of competitors and observers of the commission.

The whole process of storage and sealing of the strongroom is videoed.

"Continuous CCTV camera coverage is done till completion of counting. Every strongroom is protected with nonstop security by Central Armed Police Forces.

"Further, candidates or their designated agents stay present at the strongroom for 24X7 vigil at all times," the statement said.

On counting day, the strongrooms are opened within the presence of candidates or their specialists and onlookers. This is likewise videoed.

Prior to tallying begins, the checking specialists are demonstrated the location labels, seals and sequential number of EVMs to fulfill themselves to the validity and realness of the machines used in the polls, it said.

The provisions and protocols have been explained to political parties on multiple occasions, including in several of the 93 meetings held with them at the commission, since the announcement of elections, the EC pointed out.

"It very well may be valued, the definite managerial conventions, security structure and procedural rules commanded by the commission totally abandon and pre-empt the likelihood of any naughtiness or control in the surveyed EVMs and VVPATs put away in the assigned strongrooms.

"The slanders in clasps being used in media just relate to the capacity or movement of reserve unused EVMs," the statement said.

It made it clear that any case of lapse, even in handling of reserve EVMs, is thoroughly investigated and disciplinary action taken against the officers responsible.