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Kerala Deploys 100% Webcasting in Kannur Poll Booths to Curb Bogus Voting

Authorities in Kannur district are implementing 100% webcasting and camera surveillance at all 2,177 polling stations for the upcoming Kerala Assembly elections to ensure a transparent voting process. The system allows for real-time monitoring at both district and constituency-level control rooms, with all footage being recorded on hard disks. This move comes alongside enforcement actions, such as a case registered in Thrissur for the illegal distribution of household kits to influence voters. The single-phase election is scheduled for April 9, with key political fronts like the LDF, UDF, and NDA in contention.

Key Points: Kannur Poll Booths Under 100% Webcasting for Kerala Elections

  • Full surveillance at 2,177 booths
  • Real-time monitoring at two control levels
  • Footage recorded for official review
  • Case filed for illegal voter inducement kits
3 min read

Kerala Polls: Polling booths in Kannur under webcasting surveillance to prevent bogus voting

Kannur deploys full camera surveillance at 2,177 polling stations for Kerala Assembly polls to ensure transparency and prevent electoral malpractices.

"100 per cent webcasting and camera surveillance are being deployed... to ensure a flawless and transparent voting process - Authorities"

Kannur, April 5

Ahead of the Keralam Assembly election, 100 per cent webcasting and camera surveillance are being deployed both inside and outside all polling booths in Kannur to ensure a flawless and transparent voting process in the district, authorities said.

The cameras are being rapidly installed across the district's 2,177 polling stations. This system allows for the accurate monitoring of voter queues through cameras placed outside each booth.

Real-time monitoring of the webcasting has been established at two levels, a district-level control room at the Kannur Collectorate and individual control rooms in each assembly constituency supervised by the respective Returning Officers. These constituency-level hubs will also be visited by election observers.

To support this initiative, special training has been provided to employees in the webcasting section. The entire footage of the voting process in Kannur will be recorded on hard disks and subsequently handed over to the State Chief Electoral Officer.

Kannur district has 11 assembly constituencies including Payyannur, Taliparamba, Kalliasseri, Irikkur, Azhikode, Kannur, Dharmadam, Thalassery, Mattannur, Kuthuparamba, and Peravoor.

Earlier, Thrissur West Police on Saturday registered a case following the seizure of illegally distributed household kits by the Election Flying Squad during routine checks ahead of the Keralam assembly elections, according to Keralam Chief Electoral Officer (CEO).

The operation was conducted under the supervision of Executive Magistrate Bindu TN, near Olari Parthasarathy Temple and Karthika Super Market.

As per the Keralam CEO, the enforcement team discovered that 26 household kits, each valued at approximately ₹900 and containing various miscellaneous household items, were being distributed to individuals in Sivaramapuram Colony. Further investigation revealed that an additional 75 kits had already been distributed before the team's arrival.

The alleged acts constitute offences under Sections 170(1)(1) and 173 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), as well as Section 123(A)(1) of the Representation of the People Act, which deal with offences related to influencing voters through inducements.

The Keralam Legislative Assembly elections will be held in a single phase on April 9, with counting of votes scheduled for May 4. The tenure of the current assembly is set to conclude on May 23.

The Left Democratic Front, which is led by Communist Party of India (Marxist) include other key parties, including Kerala Congress (M), Rashtriya Janata Dal and Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar). On the other hand, the UDF bloc consists of the Indian National Congress, Kerala Congress and the Indian Union Muslim League.

The National Democratic Alliance, led by Bharatiya Janata Party, also feature few relevant state parties, including the Twenty 20 Party, Bharath Dharma Jana Sena and Kerala Kamaraj Congress.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
While the surveillance is good, I'm concerned about voter privacy. Are the cameras inside the booth focused only on the EVM and not on the button being pressed? The line between security and intrusion is thin. The article doesn't clarify this aspect.
P
Priya S
Good move! But the real issue is the distribution of household kits mentioned later. Webcasting can't stop that kind of indirect bribing. Parties will always find new ways to influence voters. The enforcement against those kits is the more important news here.
R
Rohit P
As someone from Kerala, I appreciate this. Kannur's politics is... intense, to say the least. This tech intervention might cool things down. Hope the control rooms are manned by impartial officials and not local party sympathizers. That's the key.
M
Michael C
The scale is impressive - 2,177 polling stations with full coverage. The logistical effort behind the training and setting up dual-level control rooms is no small feat. The Election Commission seems serious this time. Let's see if it translates to higher voter confidence.
K
Kavya N
All this tech is fine, but what about the basic facilities? Long queues in the April heat, especially for senior citizens. Cameras outside should also ensure basic amenities like water and shade are provided. Election is about people's comfort too, not just surveillance.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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