EC issues fresh post-poll guidelines for West Bengal

The Election Commission on Thursday issued a fresh set of post-poll guidelines for the West Bengal assembly election, laying down strict protocols for handling surveillance cameras and video data after voting concludes, a senior official said. Under the new guidelines, SD cards used in polling booth cameras cannot be removed immediately after voting ends, and officials concerned will only be permitted to dismount the cameras, which must then remain under the supervision of the sector officer, he said. “The SD cards can be removed only at the designated Data Collection and Receiving Centre in the presence of the Assistant Returning Officer,” he said. Officials emphasised that all captured video footage must be preserved securely to ensure transparency and accountability in the electoral process.
The EC suspended all polling personnel at a booth in Pingla, Paschim Medinipur, after they allegedly left the station unattended during voting hours, with the sector officer also absent. A reserve team was deployed, and an inquiry ordered into the lapse. Separately, the Commission sought reports on allegations of voter intimidation in Murshidabad’s Domkal, where residents claimed threats and an absence of security forces early in the day, before reinforcements restored order.