Speaking to reporters, Goel clarified that contesting candidates, election agents, and authorised representatives of political parties are permitted to visit strong room premises up to the designated CCTV surveillance zone. He emphasised that all rights of political stakeholders in this regard are being fully protected, with explicit instructions issued to all Deputy Commissioners to ensure compliance.
“The contesting candidate, election agent, or any authorised representative has the right to visit the strong room area up to the CCTV coverage zone. We have issued strict instructions to all Deputy Commissioners to ensure that these rights are protected,” he stated.
Goel further explained that access inside the CCTV monitoring area remains tightly regulated, with only a limited number of authorised individuals permitted entry at any given time for inspection purposes. He noted that, on average, only three to five individuals have been allowed inside simultaneously, maintaining strict control over movement in sensitive zones.
“No one is permitted to approach the actual strong room door without proper authorisation,” he added, reinforcing the layered security framework in place.
Addressing a specific allegation raised in the Golaghat constituency, Goel said the matter was personally reviewed and found to be within prescribed regulatory norms. He confirmed that five authorised individuals were present within the CCTV monitoring zone during the inspection, which fully complies with established procedures.
The Chief Electoral Officer also highlighted the robust security ecosystem surrounding the storage of EVMs, stating that central observers and police personnel are diligently performing their assigned duties. He further underlined that even officials are not allowed entry into strong room premises without proper registration and verified identity clearance.
Across Assam, EVMs have been secured under multi-layered protection systems, with continuous surveillance maintained through CCTV monitoring and physical presence of authorised representatives of political parties. This dual verification mechanism ensures transparency while maintaining the sanctity of the electoral process.
The reaffirmation of stringent security protocols by the state’s top election authority underscores a continued commitment to maintaining public confidence in the electoral infrastructure and safeguarding democratic processes through transparent and accountable monitoring systems.
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