Assam Polls 2021: Webcasting, CCTV coverage and videography to monitor proceedings

CRITICAL & VULNERABLE POLLING BOOTHS

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: During the three-phase Assembly elections across the State, the ECI (Election Commission of India) has directed that webcasting, CCTV coverage, videography and digital cameras will be deployed inside the critical polling booths as well as those in the vulnerable areas. This measure has been initiated to closely monitor the proceedings on the poll day without violating the secrecy of voting process.

The Commission also directed that arrangements for web casting shall be done in the critical polling stations and all polling stations across the vulnerable areas or at least in 50 per cent of the total polling stations including the auxiliary polling stations, whichever is higher.

In Assam, webcasting will be carried out across 16,765 such polling stations. These will be closely monitored by officials of the ECI, the State Election Department, and the district election offices.

Of the 33, 530 total polling stations in the State this time, as many as 28, 205 will be permanent polling stations while 5,325 are auxiliary polling stations which will be set up as per the COVID-19 protocols.

Mentionably, Dispur LAC (Legislative Assembly Constituencies) under Kamrup (Metro) district has the highest number of 607 polling stations (with 412 permanent and 195 auxiliary). On the other hand, Thowra LAC under Sibsagar district has the lowest number of 165 polling stations (with 145 permanent and 20 auxiliary).

The first-phase polling is slated on March 27 across 47 LACs; the second-phase polling on April 1 in 39 LACs; and the third-phase polling on April 6 across 40 LACs. The counting of votes will take place simultaneously across the State on May 2, 2021.

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