Bhopal, December 4: The Election Commission on Monday suspended three officials and issued show cause notice to 10 others for negligence in the EVM handling related works in Madhya Pradesh so far, informed state Chief Electoral Officer VL Kantha Rao.

Asked about Rewa Collector Preeti Maithil Nayak’s viral video in which she ordered her security guard to shoot anyone who tries to get near to the EVMs, Rao said “We have sought a report in this regard. On receiving, this report would be forwarded to the Election Commission of India.” MP CEO Seeks Report over Rewa Collector's 'shoot' Video

With the security issue of EVMs and strong room under the radar, state CEO Rao said, as TOI reports, “Three-tier security arrangement has been made at all strong rooms, where used EVMs have been stored. This includes inner circle guarded by central forces, followed by the second circle, which is guarded by state armed forces and then outermost circle guarded by state police personnel. Candidates have been allowed to stay near EVM strong rooms in tents, and they are taken by returning officers inside the strong room once a day.”

Adding more Rao said, “Unused EVMs are being stored at other warehouse. Each candidate was provided the serial number of EVMs of machines that were used, and others were not used or kept as reserve and before sealing those numbers have been checked in the presence of candidates.”

Asked about the counting mechanism and schedule of December 11, Rao informed, “Counting of votes will begin on December 11 at 8 am. Postal ballots would be counted first and then counting of votes would start.”

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 04, 2018 11:48 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).