Kerala High Court directs poll body to examine complaint about unauthorised access to EVM strong room in Kozhikode

The Kerala High Court on Tuesday directed the State's Chief Electoral Officer to consider a representation alleging unauthorised access to a room adjacent to the strong room in Kozhikode where Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) from different constituencies are stored [K Praveen Kumar v Chief Electoral Officer & ors].Justice KV Jayakumar recorded a statement given by a counsel representing the Election Commission of India (ECI) that the representation will be decided within three days. "I am of the view that this interim order can be issued directing the 1st Respondent to consider the representations within 3 days after giving an opportunity to the petitioner to be heard via online and dispose of the said representation within 3 days from today. Post the matter after a month," the Court ordered.Votes for the recent assembly polls will be counted on May 4..The order was passed in a petition filed by advocate K Praveen Kumar, the UDF candidate from Koyilandy constituency. He sought immediate intervention to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process.The voting for the Kerala Legislative Assembly elections took place on April 9. Subsequently, the EVMs were secured in a strong room at the JDT Islam Auditorium & Convention Center.The petitioner alleged that the sanctity of the strong room system had been compromised as a room adjacent to the strong room was opened on April 20 by the Returning Officer of another constituency along with other officials who were allegedly carrying electronic devices, including laptops.Further, it was alleged that on April 21, a similar attempt was made by another Returning Officer to access the material room. The petitioner argued that such unauthorised access raises serious doubts about the integrity of the stored voting machines. Before approaching the Court, the petitioner and other UDF candidates had submitted representations to the electoral authorities seeking immediate action. However, it was alleged that no action was taken on the representations. .The petitioner was represented by advocate Babu Joseph Kuruvathazha..[Live updates]