EVM Strongroom Forced Open After Keys Go Missing in Karnataka’s Davanagere Bypoll

Bengaluru: A major discrepancy was discovered before the vote count began for the Davanagere South by-election in Karnataka. At the DRR School counting center, when an attempt was made to open the strong room in the presence of election officials and candidates' agents, the keys did not match the locks. Officials were forced to break open the doors to gain entry.

What is the buzz?

The entire incident caused a commotion at the counting center. The opening of the strong room was overseen by several officials, including Kumar Ramnikant (General Observer), G.M. Gangadharaswamy (District Election Officer/Deputy Commissioner), Santosh Kumar (Returning Officer), Gitte Madhav Vitthal Rao (CEO), and H.T. Shekhar (SP).

How was the door open?

When the key to open the strong room was mismatched and the lock did not open despite several attempts, then out of compulsion, the locks of a total of four strong rooms were broken and opened with a hammer and chisel.

Postal ballot counting was scheduled to begin at 8 am and EVM counting at 8:30 am, but this glitch delayed the process. 

What did Deputy Commissioner say?

Deputy Commissioner G.M. Gangadharaswamy  expressed strong displeasure over the negligence and anger at the assistant officers involved in the incident.

This major administrative lapse has now become the main issue of discussion during the Davangere counting process.