CCTV Footage to Be Stored Only 45 Days Post-Election Results Amid EC Misuse Concerns

The Election Commission (EC) has changed its rules for storing video footage and photographs of elections. Now the time limit for storing CCTV footage has been reduced to 45 days. That is, now the CCTV data will be safe with the Election Commission within 45 days after the announcement of the election results. If no petition comes to the Election Commission till this time, then that data can be destroyed.

The Chief Election Officers of all the states have been informed about this decision of the Election Commission. According to the report of Indian Express, this decision has been taken in view of the recent misuse. The Commission mentioned that videography and photography of the election process is not mandatory as per the law, but it is used as an 'internal management tool'. Earlier different types of recordings were kept safe for 3 months to 1 year.

EC Cites Recent Abuse

According to the report, the Election Commission has written in its new instructions sent to all CEOs that this material has been misused recently to spread misinformation and malicious rhetoric on social media. This work has been done by people who were not even contestants. Such material has been used outside, which will not have any legal consequences. This is why a review has been done.

How the New Policy Differs

According to the earlier instructions, the footage of the period before nomination was kept safe for 3 months, while the rule was to keep the recording of nomination, campaign, voting (inside and outside the polling stations) and counting safe for 6 months to 1 year depending on the phase.