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Protect CCTV footage of EVM for 45 days... Delhi HC issues notice to EC after Lok Sabha contestant's plea

In fact, the independent candidate from Rampur has said in his petition that after the elections were held there on April 19, he requested the Election Commission to direct to preserve all the relevant videos recorded during the election process.

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The Delhi High Court has asked the Election Commission to file an affidavit on the maintenance of videography and CCTV footage taken in relation to EVMs and the guidelines being adopted to preserve the video footage. Justice Sachin Dutta has issued a notice to the Commission on the petition filed by Rampur Lok Sabha candidate lawyer Mahmood Pracha. In this, the court said that CCTV footage plays an important role in the case of challenging the elections.

What was in Lok Sabha contestants plea? 

The court, in its order dated May 10, said, "The respondent/Election Commission is required to direct the respondent/Election Commission in respect of the videography/CCTV coverage made in respect of the EVMs after conducting the First Level Check (FLC) up to the stage specified in para 6.1.1(e) "An affidavit is directed to be filed indicating the applicable norms/guidelines being laid down/followed for preservation of video/CCTV footage at various stages of the election process."

Preserve CCTV videos of election process

In fact, the independent candidate from Rampur has said in his petition that after the elections were held there on April 19, he requested the Election Commission to direct to preserve all the relevant videos recorded during the election process. But he did not get any response. The petition states that the manual on electronic voting machines issued by the Commission provides various security measures to maintain transparency of the election process through videography and CCTV coverage.

Stating that the manual mandates CCTV coverage in EVM warehouses and strong rooms, the petitioner said that if an election petition is to be filed then it is mandatory to protect the footage of the elected candidate for 45 days from the date of election. "Mandates CCTV coverage of security measures of EVM strong rooms with manual voting. Mandates continuous videography of all entry points of EVM strong rooms with manual voting. In the event of a challenge to the voting results," the petition said. CCTV footage is mandatory."

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