Poll-day webcasting now at all polling booths to help Election Commission monitor procedures | India News

NEW DELHI: Election Commission has decided to carry out poll-day webcasting across all polling stations to help it monitor procedures. As per earlier guidelines, webcasting was to be done in all critical polling stations in vulnerable areas or at least in 50% of the total polling stations, including auxiliary polling stations, whichever was higher.“The commission has issued instructions on the use of multiple civil (non-force) measures to keep a watch on various stages of the election process, including webcasting on poll day, to monitor critical activities as an internal management tool to prevent any vitiation of the poll process…It has been decided that webcasting shall be done in all polling stations, i.e. 100% of polling stations having net connectivity,” the poll panel said in a communication to state/UT chief electoral officers on Monday.In shadow areas where the internet is not available, suitable alternative arrangements of videography, photography, among others, can be made, it said.The revised guidelines require webcasting monitoring control rooms at the state, district and assembly constituency level. These will be supervised and monitored by a nodal officer appointed at each level. The nodal officers will ensure webcasting arrangements are put in place and a dry run is conducted two days ahead of polling day. They will also monitor poll day activities at all polling stations with their team and work in close coordination with field officers.“It shall be ensured that all polling stations are watched live multiple times during the day for an adequate period of time to closely observe proceedings,” according to the guidelines.Violation or suspicious activity observed at any polling station will be brought to the notice of presiding officer, the returning officer or the observer for necessary action.