New Delhi : The Election Commission cited privacy and legal issues in sharing CCTV footage of webcasting of the polling stations after a demand was made by Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, sources said. According to Election Commission sources sharing of the footage, which would enable easy identification of the electors by any group or an individual, would leave both the elector who has voted and the elector who has not voted vulnerable to pressure, discrimination and intimidation by anti-social elements.
The poll body also clarified that such videos were for internal monitoring only and would only be shared if sought by any court in an election case. Last month, the poll body directed state poll officers to destroy webcasting and video footage of an election process after 45 days, if the results are not challenged in courts within that period.
Earlier this month, Gandhi asked the EC to publish consolidated, digital voter rolls for the 2024 Lok Sabha election and assembly polls of all states, including Maharashtra. The Election Commission issued a point-by-point rebuttal to the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha. Just like voting is a right, choosing not to vote is also protected.
Sharing videos could expose people who skipped voting for any reason. Cameras at polling booths can show who came and who didn’t. This can be misused for profiling, pressure, or even denial of services. The Supreme Court has ruled that not voting was a personal choice, and keeping it secret was just as important as keeping your vote.
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