Published Apr 20, 2026 | 5:35 PM ⚊ Updated Apr 20, 2026 | 8:57 PM
A strong room in Wayanad where EVMs are kept. (File photo)
Synopsis: The Congress-led UDF in Kerala alleged that a strong room in Kozhikode was opened under suspicious circumstances and has sought an inquiry. Perambra UDF candidate Fathima Tahilia said the room was opened before her representative arrived, but election authorities said the strong room with EVMs was never opened and only an unsealed room was accessed in the presence of agents.
The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) in Kerala has alleged that a strong room—where electronic voting machines (EVMs) are stored—in Kozhikode was opened under suspicious circumstances. Alleging a breach of election protocol, it has demanded an inquiry.
The incident took place at JDT College in Vellimadukunnu on the morning of Monday, 20 April.
Perambra UDF candidate Fathima Tahilia said the returning officer informed her by phone at around 8 am on Monday and asked her to be present by 9 am. She said that by the time her representative reached the venue at 11 am, the room had already been opened.
“It was said that such rooms cannot be opened without proper notice and the presence of candidates or their agents. That protocol was not followed,” Tahilia said.
Election authorities denied the allegations. The Perambra Returning Officer said the strong room containing EVMs and postal ballots was never opened.
Officials said only an unsealed room storing polling documents was accessed, and in the presence of candidates’ agents. They also said the room was opened solely to update election-related data in the Encore software system and insisted all procedures were followed.
District Congress Committee (DCC) president K Praveen Kumar alleged a “security breach”, warned of possible sabotage, and demanded stricter central security at the premises. He said even adjacent rooms should be sealed to prevent tampering.
UDF leaders also accused state government officials and the Kerala Police of entering restricted zones meant to be secured by central forces and called for action against those responsible.
Also Read: Father, son and the holy mess: How two leaders put the BJP in a Central Travancore soup
Snehil Kumar Singh IAS, Kozhikode district collector and district election officer, clarified that due procedures were strictly followed and that the strong room – which contains EVMs and postal ballots – remains sealed.
In an official statement on Monday evening, he said the material room at JDT Islam Higher Secondary School (where documents handled by the returning officer are stored) was opened at 11.15 am on 20 April in the presence of candidate agents. The officer said that this room is not a sealed facility, so its opening followed Election Commission guidelines.
He added that the strong room on the first floor – where EVMs, VVPATs and postal ballots are stored – has not been opened since polling concluded. Those items were transported under police protection and sealed in the presence of central observers and candidate agents.
By contrast, the material room on the second floor holds documents such as the presiding officers’ diaries, which the returning officer maintains. According to Election Commission instructions, 20 April was set for verification and final approval of data uploaded to the Encore software.
Opening the material room was part of this routine process to cross-check and update records. Representatives of both major fronts – AK Muhsin (LDF) and Shahzad K (UDF) – were present. The process ended with the room being closed at 1.50 pm in their presence.
Reiterating the integrity of the electoral process, the district election officer said all sealed rooms containing EVMs and postal ballots remain untouched, and the procedures carried out fully complied with established norms.
