VCK MP flags interruption in CCTV footage in strongroom where EVMs stored

CHENNAI — VCK General Secretary and MP from Tamil Nadu’s Villupuram, D. Ravikumar on Wednesday lodged a complaint over the interruption of CCTV coverage in the strongroom at the Arignar Anna Government Arts College where EVMs were stored.

In a complaint lodged with Collector and Returning Officer, C.Palani, he said that his representative had informed him about the interruption of the CCTV coverage in the strongroom where the EVMs of Tindivanam and Villupuram assembly constituencies were kept.

Ravikumar, who is in the fray from Villupuram Lok Sabha constituency, told officials that the CCTVs stopped functioning at 7.28 a.m. on Wednesday and resumed recording at 8.10 a.m., after repairs.

The RO, along with the police and revenue officials visited the spot, inspected the cameras, and instructed the staff, maintaining the CCTVs to take preventive measures.

Ravikumar also said that he visited the spot to inquire into the incident and the official maintaining the CCTVs informed him that there was an interruption in coverage due to lightning and thunder.

Though the displays were not working for about 42 minutes, the recording was disturbed only for 2 minutes.

He also said that there was an interruption in the CCTV coverage for about 30 minutes on May 3 and that he had raised a similar complaint on the same day.

The Election Commission of India had clearly stated that uninterrupted power supply must be ensured at strongroom locations throughout the EVM storage period.

Ravikumar also called upon the Returning Officer and the state Chief Electoral Officer to ensure that local electricity standby generators were in place to ensure uninterrupted power supply. He also called upon the RO to follow the directive of the EC and take all necessary measures to safeguard the EVMs kept in the strongrooms.