Laptop-happy policeman pulled from guarding strong room

The laptop of a police personnel guarding the strong room in which EVMs are kept in Krishi Upaj Mandi premises here, has been seized for using it in violation of rules.

Clarifying that EVMs are hack proof inside the strong room, Bemetara Collector Mahadeo Kawre, however, said using electronic gadgets near a strongroom was against rules.

Sub Inspector Vikram Kumar Nehra, who was caught using his laptop late Tuesday night by Congress functionary Sunil Namdeo, has been pulled out of security duty.

Kawre said, “EVMs are safely deposited in the strong room and hacking is near impossible. After the polling process is completed, the EVM machine is switched off by the presiding officer. The machine is switched on just before the counting. The machine is not linked to the Internet. So hacking is near impossible.”

Besides, EVMs are under 24-hour vigil by Border Security Force (BSF) personnel.

Poll expenses

Giving details of the counting arrangements, the Collector said candidates, after the declaration of results, have to submit their election expenses within 30 days.

He reiterated that the strongroom would be opened on December 11 in the presence of Election Observer and candidates. Each table will have a micro-observer.