Guwahati, April 20: The District Election Office, Kamrup Metropolitan, has clarified that the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) Strong Room in Guwahati remains completely safe and secure despite reports circulating on social media suggesting that it had been affected by flash floods caused by heavy rainfall.
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In an official press release issued on April 20, the Government of Assam dismissed the reports as misleading and confirmed that the Strong Room, located at the Maniram Dewan Trade Centre, where polled EVMs and VVPATs are securely stored, has not been impacted by the recent spell of heavy rain that triggered waterlogging in several parts of the city.
Officials acknowledged that temporary waterlogging had occurred in certain areas of the trade centre campus due to intense rainfall. However, they categorically stated that no water entered the main building housing the Strong Room and that all EVMs, VVPATs, and election-related documents remain completely safe and secure.
The Strong Room currently stores polled EVMs and VVPATs from four Assembly constituencies—Dispur, Dimoria, New Guwahati, and Jalukbari. Authorities emphasised that strict security measures and election protocols continue to be followed to ensure the integrity and safety of the machines.
The District Election Officer further informed that the accumulated water in parts of the campus had already receded and that precautionary arrangements, including the installation of water pumps and emergency response measures, have been put in place to address any unforeseen situation during the ongoing rainy season.
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Officials reiterated that the Strong Room is under round-the-clock security surveillance, with all prescribed guidelines of the Election Commission of India being strictly implemented. They assured political parties, candidates, and the public that the custody of the EVMs, VVPATs, and all election materials remains secure and inviolable.
The clarification was issued to dispel rumours and reassure stakeholders after heavy rainfall caused widespread waterlogging across Guwahati. The District Election Office urged the public not to rely on unverified information circulating on social media and to refer only to official communications for accurate updates regarding election-related matters.
