Election Commission Mandates Webcasting for Enhanced Poll Monitoring in Bihar

New Directive for Polling Stations

On Monday, the Election Commission instructed chief electoral officers across states and Union Territories to implement webcasting at all polling stations to enhance the oversight of voting processes.

This directive precedes the upcoming Assembly elections in Bihar, anticipated to occur in October or November. Previously, the commission had required webcasting at a minimum of 50% of polling stations, with full coverage mandated for those deemed critical.

The Election Commission emphasized that these measures, including webcasting on election day, are intended as internal management tools to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process.

While webcasting is to be implemented in all polling stations with internet access, alternative arrangements such as videography and photography will be made in areas lacking connectivity.

This announcement follows Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's recent claims of alleged 'match-fixing' during the Maharashtra Assembly elections held in November, which he described as a 'blueprint for rigging democracy.'

In his social media commentary, Gandhi also referenced a column he published in a major news outlet, where he accused the elections of being marred by 'industrial-scale rigging' that undermines national institutions.