Election Commission Enhances Surveillance for West Bengal Assembly Elections
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has introduced a comprehensive surveillance framework for the West Bengal assembly elections. This includes body cameras for micro-observers and central forces, GPS tracking for Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) vehicles, and control over government-installed CCTV cameras in constituencies. Approximately 30% of cameras failed to record during previous elections, prompting this overhaul. Over 2,400 central forces companies, nearly 190,000 personnel, and 474 observers will be deployed. New verification counters, termed 'Lakshman Rekha', will check voter identities outside polling stations. This system aims to enhance accountability and prevent electoral violence, following a history of serious incidents in the state, including 1,979 complaints after the 2021 assembly elections. The measures will not apply to Tamil Nadu, which votes on April 23.
Published 2 days ago • 19 Apr 2026, 04:52 AM IST