Jorhat, April 25: Allegations of a possible security lapse have surfaced in Assam's Jorhat after individuals reportedly lacking valid identification were found inside the premises of an Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) strong room, triggering concern among political parties and prompting swift police intervention.

The incident came to light after Congress candidate Pallavi Saikia Gogoi visited the strong room located at Jorhat Government Girls' School and reportedly found individuals present without proper identification.

According to Gogoi, she confronted one such individual on the premises and found that he did not possess a valid identity card. She subsequently alerted the district administration, following which a team from Jorhat Police reached the spot to assess the situation.

The strong room, where EVMs used during polling are stored under strict security protocols, is typically accessible only to authorised personnel with valid identification.

The alleged presence of unauthorised individuals has triggered concern among political stakeholders and the public alike.

Speaking on the issue, Pallavi Saikia Gogoi said, "At the Jorhat Government Girls' School strong room, we noticed that certain individuals had been stationed in the strong room for several days without valid identification. This is not a minor lapse and it raises serious concerns about the integrity of the security arrangements."

She further alleged discrepancies in the enforcement of identification norms.

"Personnel deputed from our side were issued proper identity cards, but some individuals associated with another party were present without any valid ID. When questioned, one of them could only produce an old or unclear identification document," she said.