The Election Commission of India on Thursday issued a fresh set of post-poll guidelines for the West Bengal Assembly Election 2026, laying down strict protocols for handling surveillance cameras and video data after voting concludes, a senior official said.
Under the revised rules, SD cards used in polling booth cameras cannot be removed immediately after voting ends. Officials are only allowed to dismount the cameras, which must remain under the supervision of the sector officer until further processing.
“The SD cards can be removed only at the designated Data Collection and Receiving Centre in the presence of the Assistant Returning Officer,” the official said, emphasising tighter control to prevent tampering or loss of crucial footage.
The guidelines
also stress maintaining a clear chain of custody for all video material, which could be used in the event of disputes or complaints during the post-poll phase.
Bengal Records High Voter Turnout
The fresh directives come amid strong voter participation in the ongoing polls. According to Election Commission data, the West Bengal Assembly Election 2026 has recorded turnout levels hovering around 92% on average, continuing the state’s trend of high electoral participation, making it largest since independence
Some constituencies reported even higher turnout, particularly in rural areas, reflecting intense political mobilisation and voter engagement.
Officials said the high turnout, combined with the politically sensitive nature of the election, makes strict monitoring of surveillance data critical to ensure transparency and credibility.
The Election Commission has directed all polling and administrative officials to strictly adhere to the new protocols until the completion of the counting process, as part of broader efforts to safeguard the integrity of the electoral exercise in West Bengal.
West Bengal concluded the first phase of voting on Thursday and the second phase will take place on April 29 with results on May 4.
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