In a bid to ensure fair and free counting on May 13, the Election Commission, for the first time, will instal high resolution web cameras over each counting table to capture images of the counting process including the final figures that will appear in the electronic voting machines.
Chief electoral officer Praveen Kumar said web cameras would be used in the counting centres across the state. “We will be installing web cameras over each table where counting takes place”, he told TOI. There are 234 counting centres across the state, including three in Chennai.
He said installation of web camera ensures that there would be no malpractices during counting. Explaining the process, Praveen Kumar said election officials will also record the images during the movement of EVMs from the strong room to the counting centres. He said for the first time the EC has kept the EVMs in a strong room that is few meters away from the counting centre. “This will avoid long transportation time,” he said.
He said for the first time one election observer, deployed for each constituency, will also be monitoring the counting process. “We have asked for more observers,” he said. On the security aspect, he said that paramilitary forces will be deployed during counting day. “In addition to this, special state police will be pressed into service on the same day”, he added.
After each round of counting the results will be displayed on a digital banner that will be installed in the counting room. “All the EVMs will be opened by the observers in front of agents”. he said.
Full Article: Web cameras will keep an eye on May 13 counting – The Times of India.