A sudden fall in mercury has impacted the guarding of EVMs here, as most cadres of various political parties disappear after dusk.

EVMs of four Assembly constituencies are kept in Krishi Prangan Bazar Samiti on Ranchi-Patna Highway(near NH-33) near Sindoor. Normally, political parties depute workers round the clock in three shifts to guard EVMs. But winter chill has made these “guards” lax. They prefer to go back home at night.

At daytime, workers of political parties are seen in large numbers. “We are convinced that EVMs are stored in the best possible way amid tight security with paramilitary forces and district police deployed in large numbers,” said one, refusing to identify himself or his party. “At night, we start shivering. It is too cold with dense fog and a chilly breeze,” said another.

The only cadres who seem to stay the night are of Independent candidate from Barkatha Amit Kumar Yadav. Five of his five supporters do not leave the Bazar Samiti at any time of the day or night. They borrow blankets from a nearby tent house.