New Surveillance Protocols Announced for West Bengal Elections

The Election Commission of India has issued a fresh set of post-poll guidelines for the West Bengal Assembly elections, introducing strict protocols for handling surveillance cameras and video data after polling concludes.

According to a senior official, the new directions issued on Thursday state that SD cards used in cameras installed at polling booths cannot be removed immediately after voting ends.

Officials concerned will only be allowed to dismount the cameras after polling, and the devices must remain under the supervision of the sector officer until they are transported to the designated centre.

The Commission further instructed that SD cards can be removed only at the authorised data collection and receiving centre, and that too in the presence of the Assistant Returning Officer.

The move is aimed at strengthening transparency, preserving digital evidence, and ensuring the integrity of surveillance footage during the post-poll process.