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Time of India
21-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
ECI cites law and privacy to deny CCTV access as Rahul Gandhi alleges match-fixing
With Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi once again raising questions over the Election Commission amending rules to avoid sharing polling booth CCTV footage, the poll panel on Saturday strongly rejected the charge, saying the very idea was "entirely contrary to the privacy and security concerns of voters, the legal position laid down in the Representation of the People Acts, 1950 and 1951, and the directions of the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India". It added that safeguarding the interests of electors and maintaining their privacy and secrecy was of prime concern-even if some political parties or interest groups "mount pressure" on the Commission "to abandon laid down procedures or ignore the security concerns of electors". The Congress leader had earlier in the day posted on social media platform X, reiterating his allegations of "match fixing" under the EC's watch and accusing it of trying to hide "evidence". by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like War Thunder - Register now for free and play against over 75 Million real Players War Thunder Play Now Undo The EC, however, maintained that it is "legally bound and committed to protect the privacy of electors and secrecy of voting", and that polling station video footage cannot be provided to any person, candidate, NGO, or third party without the express consent of the elector(s). The Commission said that webcasting at polling booths on voting days is essentially "an internal management tool" for monitoring poll-day activities, and the footage can only be provided under court orders. Live Events "ECI is ready to provide the same to the competent court-i.e. the Hon'ble High Court-when directed in an Election Petition filed to challenge an election, as the court is also a custodian of individual privacy," the EC said. It noted that both videography and Form 17A contain information critical to maintaining the secrecy of voting, as they record the sequence in which electors enter polling stations and their photo/identity. Form 17A is mandated to be provided only under orders of a competent court under Rule 93(1) of the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961. Therefore, video footage can also only be shared under court orders, the Commission said. It also warned that sharing footage could enable "easy identification of electors by any group or individual", potentially leaving both those who voted and those who did not vulnerable to "pressure, discrimination, and intimidation by anti-social elements". For instance, if a political party received fewer votes at a particular booth, it could use CCTV footage to identify who voted or abstained-and then harass or intimidate voters, the EC noted. It added that violation of voting secrecy is a punishable offence under Section 128 of the Representation of the People Act , 1951. The Commission also defended its decision to reduce the CCTV footage retention period from one year to 45 days, saying this aligns with the time limit for filing an Election Petition (EP) after election results are declared. Since no election can be challenged beyond 45 days of result declaration, retaining footage beyond this period would make it "susceptible to misuse by non-contestants for spreading misinformation and malicious narratives", the EC said. It clarified that in cases where an EP is filed within 45 days, the footage is not destroyed and is made available to the competent court when required.
Hans India
21-06-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Media crucial in boosting voter turnout: ECI
Vijayawada: Elections are paramount in establishing governments elected by the people in a democratic system, and media plays a crucial role in increasing voter turnout during these elections, said P Pawan, deputy director (media division) of the Election Commission of India (ECI). He urged regional media representatives to collaborate with the ECI to expand its communication reach and impact at the regional level, thereby empowering voters. A face-to-face programme was held on Friday at the Secretariat involving representatives from print, electronic, and social media. Pawan was the chief guest and engaged in an interactive session with media personnel. During the discussion, Pawan elaborated on 23 new initiatives undertaken by the ECI to strengthen the electoral process in a democratic system. He also detailed the facilities provided to voters, political parties, and election staff, along with procedural reforms, legal measures, and ECI's new innovations and resources. Referring to the key reforms and initiatives, Pawan said that a Special Summary Revision (SSR) programme is being conducted before the by-elections after nearly 20 years. Voter information slips will be more useful, clearly showing the voter's serial and part numbers. Data from the RGI (Registrar General of India) database regarding death registrations will be collected and, after verification, changes will be made to the voter list. A maximum of 1,200 voters are allowed per polling station. Mobile deposit facilities for voters and additional polling booths in apartments/colonies are also being arranged. The campaign distance limit from the polling station entrance has been reduced to 100 metres. A total of 4,719 meetings were held nationwide with all parties at the CEO/DEO/ERO levels, with over 28,000 political party representatives participating. The digitisation of Voter Trend Reports (VTR), index cards, and statistical reports is being expedited for faster dissemination. A new comprehensive dashboard, ECINET, has been launched, replacing over 40 apps/websites with a single application to provide all services in one place simultaneously. The implementation of a unique EPIC number system has resolved the issue of duplicate EPIC numbers. A national conference of lawyers and CEOs is being organised to strengthen the ECI's legal framework and review laws. A total of 28 stakeholder categories (voters, officials, parties, candidates and others) have been identified for training programmes based on the Representation of the People Acts (1950, 1951), Registration of Electors Rules (1960), Conduct of Elections Rules (1961), and ECI guidelines. Pawan also mentioned that information related to the Election Commission of India and the electoral process is made available to citizens through various websites and social media platforms.
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Business Standard
29-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Standard
EC takes 21 initiatives in 100 days to streamline poll management
In a bid to enhance voter experience and streamline poll management, the Election Commission has launched 21 new initiatives over the past 100 days, officials said on Thursday. These measures, they pointed out, span procedural reforms, training programmes and stakeholder engagement. The measures have marked the first 100 days of the 26th Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, they noted. To improve voter access, the poll authority has revised the maximum number of electors per polling station from 1,500 to 1,200. Additional polling booths will be set up in densely populated areas such as gated communities and high-rise buildings. The Commission, they said, aims to ensure that no voter is required to travel more than 2 km to cast their vote. Voter information slips have been redesigned for clarity on the polling station number. As a significant boost to the convenience of voters, a mobile phone deposit facility will be set up at the entrance of every polling station. Booths set up by candidates will now be permitted just beyond 100 metres from the entrance of the polling station gate as opposed to 200 metres from the polling station premises. To facilitate a simpler user interface, a single-point new integrated dashboard, ECINET, has been developed with the aim to provide all services for all stakeholders at a single point instead of the existing 40-plus applications. The poll panel has also initiated direct integration of death registration data from the Registrar General of India to enable timely and verified removal of deceased electors from the rolls. A special summary revision has been held ahead of a byelection as prescribed in the law. This is the first such exercise to be conducted ahead of a byelection in decades, the officials said. In a move to institutionalise regular interaction with political stakeholders, the EC facilitated 4,719 meetings across the country with participation from over 28,000 political party representatives. The Commission has also held consultations here with leaders of recognised political parties, including AAP, BJP, BSP, CPI(M) and NPP, with more meetings with the national political parties and state political parties planned after the current bypolls. A comprehensive training framework has been developed for 28 categories of stakeholders identified across the electoral process. These modules are based on provisions of the Representation of the People Acts, 1950 and 1951; the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960; and the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961, along with EC's instructions. Among other reforms, the EC has implemented biometric attendance at its headquarters, activated the E-Office system and held regular CEO-level review meetings. These measures are intended to improve internal coordination and operational efficiency.
The Hindu
29-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Election Commission takes 21 initiatives in 100 days to streamline poll management
'In a bid to enhance voter experience and streamline poll management, the Election Commission of India (EC) has launched 21 new initiatives over the past 100 days,' officials said on Thursday (May 29), 2025. These measures, they pointed out, span procedural reforms, training programmes and stakeholder engagement. 'The measures have marked the first 100 days of the 26th Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar,' they noted. To improve voter access, the poll authority has revised the maximum number of electors per polling station from 1,500 to 1,200. Additional polling booths will be set up in densely populated areas such as gated communities and high-rise buildings. The Commission, they said, aims to ensure that no voter is required to travel more than 2 km to cast their vote. Voter information slips have been redesigned for clarity on the polling station number. As a significant boost to the convenience of voters, a mobile phone deposit facility will be set up at the entrance of every polling station. Booths set up by candidates will now be permitted just beyond 100 metres from the entrance of the polling station gate, as opposed to 200 metres from the polling station premises. To facilitate a simpler user interface, a single-point new integrated dashboard, ECINET, has been developed with the aim of providing all services for all stakeholders at a single point instead of the existing 40-plus applications. The poll panel has also initiated direct integration of death registration data from the Registrar General of India to enable timely and verified removal of deceased electors from the rolls. 'A special summary revision has been held ahead of a by-election as prescribed in the law. This is the first such exercise to be conducted ahead of a by-election in decades,' the officials said. In a move to institutionalise regular interaction with political stakeholders, the EC facilitated 4,719 meetings across the country with participation from more than 28,000 political party representatives. The Commission has also held consultations here with leaders of recognised political parties, including the AAP, the BJP, the BSP, the CPI(M), and the NPP, with more meetings with the national political parties and State political parties planned after the current bypolls. A comprehensive training framework has been developed for 28 categories of stakeholders identified across the electoral process. These modules are based on provisions of the Representation of the People Acts, 1950 and 1951; the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960; and the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961, along with EC's instructions. Among other reforms, the EC has implemented biometric attendance at its headquarters, activated the E-Office system, and held regular CEO-level review meetings. These measures are intended to improve internal coordination and operational efficiency.
The Print
29-05-2025
- Politics
- The Print
EC takes 21 initiatives in 100 days to streamline poll management
The measures have marked the first 100 days of the 26th Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, they noted. New Delhi, May 29 (PTI) In a bid to enhance voter experience and streamline poll management, the Election Commission has launched 21 new initiatives over the past 100 days, officials said on Thursday. To improve voter access, the poll authority has revised the maximum number of electors per polling station from 1,500 to 1,200. Additional polling booths will be set up in densely populated areas such as gated communities and high-rise buildings. The Commission, they said, aims to ensure that no voter is required to travel more than 2 km to cast their vote. Voter information slips have been redesigned for clarity on the polling station number. As a significant boost to the convenience of voters, a mobile phone deposit facility will be set up at the entrance of every polling station. Booths set up by candidates will now be permitted just beyond 100 metres from the entrance of the polling station gate as opposed to 200 metres from the polling station premises. To facilitate a simpler user interface, a single-point new integrated dashboard, ECINET, has been developed with the aim to provide all services for all stakeholders at a single point instead of the existing 40-plus applications. The poll panel has also initiated direct integration of death registration data from the Registrar General of India to enable timely and verified removal of deceased electors from the rolls. A special summary revision has been held ahead of a byelection as prescribed in the law. This is the first such exercise to be conducted ahead of a byelection in decades, the officials said. In a move to institutionalise regular interaction with political stakeholders, the EC facilitated 4,719 meetings across the country with participation from over 28,000 political party representatives. The Commission has also held consultations here with leaders of recognised political parties, including AAP, BJP, BSP, CPI(M) and NPP, with more meetings with the national political parties and state political parties planned after the current bypolls. A comprehensive training framework has been developed for 28 categories of stakeholders identified across the electoral process. These modules are based on provisions of the Representation of the People Acts, 1950 and 1951; the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960; and the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961, along with EC's instructions. Among other reforms, the EC has implemented biometric attendance at its headquarters, activated the E-Office system and held regular CEO-level review meetings. These measures are intended to improve internal coordination and operational efficiency. PTI NAB NAB KSS KSS This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
