Why Some AAP, Congress Workers are Spending Sleepless Nights in Punjab

Bathinda: While politicians across India wait breathlessly for May 16 - the day votes will be counted for the recently-concluded Lok Sabha elections - some leaders as well as workers of political parties from the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party in Punjab are already spending sleepless nights, literally so.

For nearly two weeks since the state went to polls, on April 30, they have been guarding Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in their constituencies. (Narendra Modi-led BJP Set For Victory, Exit Polls Show)

In Bathinda, Manpreet Badal, leader of the Congress-backed Punjab People's Party, is not taking any chances.

He has deputed 30 workers to keep a round-the-clock vigil of the EVMs, which are being kept in a 'strong room' at an institute of hotel management.

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"It is our right to ensure that the EVMs are not tampered with," said Manpreet.

Workers from the Congress and the PPP take turns to ensure that no member of the ruling Akali Dal or even local officials get access to the EVMs. (Trouble for Parkash Singh Badal for Allegedly Soliciting Poll Funds Secretly)

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In Sangrur, where Aam Aadmi Party candidate Bhagwant Maan is one of the candidates, AAP workers are keeping a hawk's eye in the premises of the Desh Bhagat College, where the EVMs have been stored. (Exit Polls: Numbers Stack Up in Favour of BJP-Led NDA)

V K Singh, the chief electoral officer for Punjab, claimed that fool-proof security arrangements have been made by the Election Commission.

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"'The strong room has a three-tier security system and the room is guarded by jawans from central paramilitary forces. Political parties have nothing to worry about. The Punjab Armed
Police has been given the responsibility of ensuring the security of the premises while local policemen are stationed at the gates," he said.

When the local Returning Officer or the representative of the Election Commission visits the venue, his visit is duly recorded by the security personnel.

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Under no circumstance is anyone allowed to open the strong room, which had been sealed in the presence of representatives of the contestants. The footage of the strong room, recorded by CCTVs, is constantly streamed and monitored by security personnel.