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Kerala polls: EC orders strongrooms not to be opened before counting day
The Election Commission of Kerala directed district and Returning Officers not to open any strongrooms before counting day, following reports that a strongroom in Perambra was opened and that plans to open another in Nenmara were being considered. The directive was issued on April 21, 2026.
Why It Matters
The directive aims to protect the integrity of the vote-counting process by limiting access to electronic voting machine storage until counting day.
Timeline
3 Events
Election Commission directive on strongrooms
April 21, 2026
The Election Commission of Kerala issued clear directions to all District Election Officers and Returning Officers not to open any strongrooms ‘under any circumstances’ before counting day.
Nenmara strongroom plans reported
April 21, 2026
Reports indicated plans to open another strongroom in the Nenmara constituency in Palakkad district.
Perambra strongroom opening reports
April 20, 2026
Reports indicated that a strongroom storing EVMs in the Perambra constituency of Kozhikode district was opened on Monday, April 20, 2026.