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The Election Commission of India (ECI) has affirmed its commitment to conducting free and transparent elections through various safeguards adopted for the use of electronic voting machines (EVMs) in the electoral process. This assertion came in response to a plea filed by lawyer Mahmood Pracha, an independent candidate contesting the ongoing Lok Sabha elections from the Rampur constituency in Uttar Pradesh, seeking preservation of all videography and CCTV footage recorded during the election process.
Voting in Rampur took place on April 19, with Pracha subsequently writing to the ECI on April 29, requesting the preservation of CCTV and video footage. However, no response was received from the ECI.
In opposition to Pracha’s plea, the ECI has filed a counter affidavit detailing the recording and preservation of videography and CCTV coverage throughout all phases of the elections. The ECI mandates the installation of videography and CCTV cameras to cover the entire election process, with records being maintained and preserved in accordance with instructions issued by the ECI.
Instructions regarding the conservation of videography and CCTV coverage are outlined in the EVM Manual, along with instructions dated March 13, 2020, September 13, 2022, and June 19, 2023.
Reports indicate that all EVMs designated for use in elections undergo a first-level check, during which each control unit is sealed and stored in a secure room. The entire process is recorded via videography, and the footage is preserved for 45 days following the declaration of results or until the resolution of any election petitions, whichever is later.
Furthermore, the affidavit reveals that CCTV cameras have been installed in the storerooms where EVMs are kept after the first-level check, with digital video recorder (DVR) storage for recording a minimum of 30 days at a time.
The ECI’s response underscores its commitment to transparency and integrity in the electoral process, ensuring that appropriate measures are in place to safeguard the fairness and accuracy of elections across India.
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