NEW DELHI: Samajwadi Party on Wednesday demanded the Election Commission for webcasting of all 414 polling booths in the Milkipur constituency, where by-elections are scheduled to be held on February 5. This comes a day after the poll body had defended its move to block public access to CCTV footage of booths, saying that it was meant to safeguard votes’ privacy.
The party, in its memorandum to the chief electoral officer of Uttar Pradesh, has asked for the webcasting link to be provided to candidates and recognized political parties, allowing them to monitor the voting process and ensure the elections are free, fair, and transparent.
CEC Rajiv Kumar, during a press briefing on Delhi and bypoll election dates, had questioned the intention of those asking for the footage of polling booths.
“Why does he want it? Let us ask this question from the person who wants it,” Kumar had said.
Meanwhile, a former Election Commission (EC) official explained that CCTV coverage and webcasting of polling stations are not mandated under the Conduct of Election Rules, but are instead measures introduced by the EC to maintain a level playing field.
“CCTV coverage, webcasting of polling stations are not carried out under Conduct of Election Rules but are the result of steps taken by the EC to ensure a level playing field,” the official said as quoted by PTI.
An EC functionary further clarified that there have been instances where electronic records were requested under the assumption that they were covered by the rules. The recent amendment ensures that only documents explicitly mentioned in the rules are available for public inspection, while any other records not referenced in the rules will be restricted.
“There have been instances where such electronic records were sought, citing the rules. The amendment ensures that only papers mentioned in the rules are available for public inspection and any other document which has no reference in the rules is not allowed for public inspection,” they said.
