Election Commission to Preserve EVM Video Footage for Rampur, Informs High Court

The Election Commission has informed the High Court that it will preserve the video footage of electronic voting machines (EVMs) from the Rampur Lok Sabha constituency in Uttar Pradesh in accordance with established protocol. This information was provided to the court in response to a petition filed by Rampur candidate and lawyer Mahmood Pracha, who had requested that the Commission safeguard the video footage from his constituency.

Siddhant Kumar, the Commission’s lawyer, explained to Justice Sachin Dutta that the Commission is obligated to videograph the election process or preserve the CCTV footage of all Lok Sabha constituencies under any circumstances. Justice Dutta recorded this statement and noted that the petitioner did not seek any further relief. Consequently, the petition was disposed of based on the aforementioned condition.

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Earlier this month, the court had directed the Election Commission to submit an affidavit detailing the protocols for videography and CCTV footage of EVMs, as well as the guidelines for preserving this footage. In its affidavit, the Commission stated that it adheres to the EVM manual and other prescribed instructions to ensure the preservation of videography or CCTV footage at various stages of the electoral process. The footage is kept for 45 days following the declaration of election results or until a decision is reached on any election petition.

Voting in Rampur took place during the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections on April 19.