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EC Deploys Live IP Cameras for Real-Time Monitoring in Bengal Polls

The Election Commission has introduced car-mounted live IP cameras on surveillance teams to stream real-time video feeds during the upcoming West Bengal Assembly polls. The elections will be held in two phases on April 23 and 29, with vote counting scheduled for May 4. A robust complaint system, including a call center and a mobile app, has been established to address Model Code of Conduct violations swiftly. The state has over 64.5 million registered electors, including significant numbers of young voters, persons with disabilities, and senior citizens.

Key Points: Live IP Cameras for Real-Time Video Feeds in West Bengal Polls

  • Live IP cameras on surveillance vehicles
  • Two-phase polls on April 23 & 29
  • Complaint system via call center & C-Vigil App
  • Over 64.5 million electors in Bengal
  • Strict Model Code of Conduct enforcement
2 min read

West Bengal: EC sets up live IP cameras for real-time video feeds of polling

Election Commission deploys car-mounted live IP cameras for real-time video surveillance in West Bengal's two-phase Assembly elections.

"Over 5,173 Flying squads... have been deployed across the States/UT to ensure that the complaints are attended to within 100 minutes. - EC press note"

Siliguri, March 29

Ahead of the West Bengal Assembly polls, the Election Commision has set up car-mounted live IP cameras on vehicles used by Static Surveillance Teams and Flying Squad Teams to receive real-time video feeds of polling, which will be conducted in the state in two phases on 23 April and 29 April in the state.

The counting of votes will take place on May 4. In West Bengal, the Legislative Assembly consists of 294 seats, with the primary contest expected to be between the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

The Election Commission of India (ECI) issued directions for the strict implementation of the Model Code of Conduct for the general elections and bye-elections in 6 States.

As an effort to ensure compliance, ECI said that a complaint monitoring system has been set up, including a Call Centre number 1950, where grievances can be lodged with the DEO/RO concerned. This system can be used by the electorate and political parties. They can also report MCC violations using the C-Vigil App on ECINET.

"Over 5,173 Flying squads and over have been deployed across the States/UT to ensure that the complaints are attended to within 100 minutes. Besides this, over 5,200 Static Surveillance Teams (SSTs) have also been deployed," the EC press note stated.

West Bengal has a total of 6,45,61,152 electors as per the Election Commission of India, including 6,44,52,609 general electors and 1,08,543 service voters. The state has 5,23,229 young electors aged 18-19 years. The electoral rolls also list 4,16,089 electors marked as Persons with Disabilities (PwD), 1,152 electors identified as third gender, and 3,78,979 senior citizens aged 85 and above.

The last assembly election in the state was held in eight phases in 2021 amid an intense contest between the ruling TMC led by Mamata Banerjee and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Congress and Left Front drew a blank in the last state polls.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priyanka N
Good initiative, but the real test is implementation. Will the footage be accessible to all parties? And what about remote areas with poor network? The EC must ensure these cameras aren't just for show. Transparency is key.
R
Rohit P
Finally! Using tech to safeguard democracy. The C-Vigil app is also a great tool for common people to report violations. Hope voters in Bengal use it fearlessly. Jai Hind!
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Ananya R
It's heartening to see the EC's focus on inclusivity - data on PwD voters, third gender, and senior citizens is mentioned. Elections should be accessible to all. Hope the arrangements on ground match the planning on paper.
M
Michael C
Observing from abroad. India's electoral process, with its scale and now this tech integration, is impressive. The 100-minute response time for complaints is an ambitious benchmark. Will be watching how this unfolds.
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Karthik V
All this is fine, but what about the money and muscle power? Cameras on cars won't stop pre-poll violence or voter bribing. The EC needs to be even more strict with candidates and their spending. The root problem remains.

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