Chandigarh, October 12, 2024 – The State Election Commission has issued crucial directives regarding the Gram Panchayat elections in Punjab, mandating videography throughout the entire election process, from polling to vote counting. This decision comes in response to concerns raised by political parties, candidates, and the High Court regarding the cancellation of nomination papers.
The orders, sent to all Deputy Commissioners, District Election Officers (DEOs), and Returning Officers, require that each polling booth be monitored via videography during voting and counting. The responsibility for overseeing this videography has been placed on the Returning Officers, who must hand over the footage to the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) after the election. This footage will be securely stored and can be summoned as evidence if needed by the court or other authorities.
Moreover, the Commission instructed the formation of flying squads to monitor the election process and address any violations.
The Commission has also clarified that no candidate, political party, or individual is permitted to conduct videography or photography within polling booths.
However, candidates and parties may request information about the official videography conducted by election authorities. They are also allowed to record the voting process at their own expense, but only from a distance of 100 meters from the polling stations.
The Election Commission has further directed all Deputy Commissioners, DEOs, and Returning Officers to accept video or photographic evidence of illegal activity during the election process, should any person, candidate, or political party submit such material. A formal procedure will be followed to evaluate and address these submissions.
