The State Election Commission has taken a significant step to ensure that the Panchayati Raj and Urban Local Body elections in Himachal Pradesh are transparent and fair. The Commission has decided to implement a webcasting system at approximately 200 sensitive and hyper-sensitive polling stations. Cameras will be installed at these centers, and their activities will be monitored live from a control room situated at the Secretariat.
This arrangement will enable the Commission to receive real-time updates on the activities occurring at every polling station. This system is being implemented with the objective of preventing any potential irregularities, illegal activities, booth capturing, or violations of the Model Code of Conduct during the elections. Should any suspicious activity be observed at a polling station, the concerned district administration and police officials will be immediately directed to take appropriate action.
The State Election Commission has issued directives to all District Election Officers to complete the necessary preparations in a timely manner. At the polling stations where webcasting is to be conducted, the availability of internet connectivity, power supply, and the technical functionality of the cameras will be verified in advance to ensure that no disruptions occur on election day.
Additionally, technical teams will be deployed to continuously monitor the cameras and the live feeds. This time around, a special focus is being placed on sensitive areas during the elections. The Commission has identified such polling stations based on reports from local administration and the police where incidents involving disputes, tension, or law-and-order issues have been reported in the past.
The State Election Commission believes that the webcasting system will render the electoral process more transparent, fair, and credible. Furthermore, it will foster a stronger sense of security and trust among the voters. The Commission has also instructed District Election Officers to ensure strict action against any violations of the Model Code of Conduct.