Ensure CCTV Surveillance In Every Booth For KMC Elections: Calcutta HC On BJP Worker's Petition

The Calcutta High Court today directed the West Bengal State Election Commission that CCTV surveillance be maintained in every booth for the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) elections to be held on December 19.

The Court also directed that electronic surveillance should be ensured in strong rooms where EVMs will be stored following the elections.

A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Prakash Shrivastava and Justice R Bharadwaj directed the installation of CCTV cameras and maintenance of surveillance in all polling booths during the 144-ward KMC elections.

The State Election Commission said that such surveillance will be ensured in all the booths.

A petition was moved by a BJP worker before the High Court seeking the installation of CCTV cameras in every booth for the December 19 polls.

Yesterday, the Supreme Court had refused to entertain a plea by the BJP seeking a direction to the West Bengal government, state election panel and other functionaries to prepare a comprehensive action plan and deploy sufficient central police forces to ensure free and fair municipal polls in Kolkata.

The Supreme Court had directed the Petitioner to approach the Calcutta High Court first and permitted the Petitioner to withdraw the plea filed under Article 32 of the Constitution.

With PTI inputs