Assembly Elections 2026 | Explained: How EVMs are stored and secured in election strong rooms

The Election Commission rejected the allegations in West Bengal controversy, maintaining that all protocols had been followed.

The drama of an election does not always end when polling booths close.

In West Bengal, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday night visited an EVM strong room in Bhabanipur and stayed there for hours after alleging irregularities in the handling of voting machines, just days before counting. The Election Commission rejected the allegations saying that all protocols were followed.

In a post on X, EC clarified that seven Assembly Constituency (AC) strong rooms were located inside the Khudiram Anushilan Kendra in Kolkata's North district and that all had been sealed in the presence of candidates, election agents and the general observer, with the final room sealed at 5.15 am on April 30. West Bengal voted in two phases on April 23 and 29, with counting scheduled for May 4.

The EC further said the sealed strong rooms containing polled EVMs remained under Central Armed Police Force protection. It added that a separate strong room on the same premises housed constituency-wise postal ballots received from polling personnel and through the Electronically Transmitted Postal Ballot System (ETPBS).

According EC, all observers, returning officers and political parties had been informed in advance about the scheduled segregation of postal ballots, which was conducted in the corridor outside the strong room from 4 pm. It said, the main strong rooms remained locked and the process was shown to representatives of major political parties.

Used to store sealed Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) between polling and counting, the strong room is meant to be the secure link. Yet repeated controversies have raised around these facilities.

What is an election strong room?

An election strong room is a secure storage facility where EVMs, VVPATs (Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail units), and other election-related materials are kept.

How does it function?

The Election Commission of India’s procedures are detailed in its Manual on Electronic Voting Machines, 2023.

Before polling, EVMs are stored in warehouses under the control of the District Election Officer (DEO). During the election process, machines are randomised in the presence of recognised political party representatives and sent to strong rooms in each Assembly constituency.

The entire process is conducted under 24x7 CCTV surveillance, with armed security stationed at the premises. From these strong rooms, EVMs are dispatched to polling stations on polling day.

After voting concludes, polled EVMs are sealed and escorted back to the strong room by polling officials and security personnel. Candidates and their agents often follow the vehicles carrying the machines to the storage site.

Under EC guidelines, Polled EVMs must be stored in one designated strong room, Unused or reserve EVMs must be kept separately in a room marked “Reserve EVM”

It is from these strong rooms the EVMs are taken to counting centres for the votes and the process is once again done under videography and with the knowledge of the candidates’ representatives.

Security protocols prescribed by the EC

The Election Commission mandates that strong rooms must have:

1. A double-lock system, with one key held by the Returning Officer and the other by the Assistant Returning Officer

2. Only one entry/exit point

3. All other doors/windows sealed

4. 24x7 CCTV surveillance with uninterrupted power supply

5. Round-the-clock armed security deployment

6. Separate log books for entry/exit of authorised personnel

7. Videography of opening and closing of the strong room

8. No vehicle access, including for VIPs and officials

9. Candidate representatives allowed to keep vigil outside

10. At least one platoon of armed police must be deployed at all times.

11. The Returning Officer is required to inspect the campus twice daily, review CCTV footage and logs, and submit daily reports to the DEO.

What does the rule say about opening strong room?

The EC permits opening of a strong room before counting only under exceptional circumstances. Its guidelines state that if an emergency or unavoidable reason necessitates opening the room before the scheduled date and time:

1. Candidates or their authorised representatives must be informed in advance

2. The room must be opened in their presence

3. It must be re-sealed immediately after the purpose is completed

4. The entire process must be video graphed

5. Full details must be entered in the official log book

Postal ballots follow separate protocol

Postal ballots used by service voters, senior citizens above 85, and persons with disabilities are governed by separate rules.

Returning Officers must keep postal ballots received each day in separate envelopes and store them in a dedicated postal ballot strong room at the RO headquarters.

Why controversies keep erupting?

Despite detailed protocols, strong rooms often become flashpoints for political suspicion.

The latest controversy in West Bengal followed allegations by the Trinamool Congress of suspicious movement near the facility, with party leaders posting CCTV footage online and claiming procedural irregularities.

Many such disputes stem from distrust, confusion, or gaps in implementation.

Where can loopholes emerge?

1. Limited or unclear camera coverage can trigger doubts over whether all access points are being monitored.

For instance, in Tiruppur, Tamil Nadu, the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam sought an inquiry after CCTV timers at an EVM strong room allegedly malfunctioned, showing incorrect timestamps and frequently disconnecting.

2. Unauthorised vehicles or unexplained movement around strong rooms often fuel allegations.

In Bihar’s Rohtas district during the 2025 Assembly elections, opposition candidates protested after CCTV cameras allegedly stopped working and a truck entered the premises at night. Officials later said it carried empty EVM boxes.

3. Disputes also arise when rooms near the main strong room are opened.

In Kerala’s Perambra, the Congress-led UDF alleged foul play after a room at a storage centre was opened post-polling. Officials later clarified that the opened room did not contain EVMs or postal ballots but only polling records required for official data entry.

4. Political parties have at times complained of limited access to CCTV feeds.

Recently in West Bengal, Minister Shashi Panja alleged that the Election Commission had restricted viewing of CCTV footage to select authorised agents, unlike earlier practice when all parties could access it.

How can these loopholes be addressed?

Experts and political parties have suggested stronger physical security around strong rooms, uninterrupted CCTV systems with backup power and live CCTV access for all contesting candidates and recognised political parties.