EC orders preservation of CCTV footage from polling centres
The Election Commission (EC) has directed that CCTV footage installed at polling centres for security and transparency during the recently concluded 13th national election be preserved.
Under an office order signed by Mohammad Monir Hossain, deputy secretary of the Election Conduct-2 Branch, today (19 February), footage recorded on the eve of polling and on polling day must be deposited with the respective assistant returning officer's office for evidentiary purposes.
In its letter, the EC said the directive applies to all polling centres where cameras were installed for the 12 February election. The recordings are to be retained for use in any future legal proceedings or related matters.
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To ensure implementation, instructions have been issued to the Divisional Commissioners and Returning Officers of Dhaka and Chattogram; the Regional Election Officers and Returning Officers of Dhaka, Chattogram and Khulna; as well as all Deputy Commissioners (DCs) and Returning Officers nationwide.
The commission noted that the footage would be crucial in assessing whether the voting environment remained orderly and in determining if any irregularities occurred.
In the event of disputes over results or cases filed by aggrieved candidates, the recordings will serve as key technical evidence.
