CNN Central News & Network-ITDC India Epress/ITDC News Bhopal: Varanasi. A case has come to light in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, where CCTV cameras at a strong room stopped functioning before the counting of votes for the Legislative Council election. Ballot papers for the Varanasi division graduate and teachers’ constituencies had been kept in the strong room at Pahariya Mandi. After reports that surveillance cameras had stopped before counting, questions began to be raised over the transparency of the election process.
Responding to the matter, District Magistrate and District Election Officer Satyendra Kumar said the cameras had stopped due to a technical fault.
According to the district administration, a fault developed in the switch of the CCTV cameras installed at the strong room set up at Lal Bahadur Shastri Naveen Mandi Sthal, Pahariya. Because of this, the wiring of the cameras burnt and the surveillance system was disrupted for some time. The administration said the cameras were restarted after the damaged wiring was repaired.
According to the DM, representatives of political parties, the officer in charge concerned and staff were present at the spot during the technical problem. The administration also inspected the outer portion of the strong room along with the representatives. Officials said the representatives present there expressed satisfaction after the inspection.
Samajwadi Party candidate for the graduate constituency and outgoing MLC Ashutosh Sinha had raised an objection over the CCTV cameras stopping. He submitted a memorandum to Divisional Commissioner and Election Officer S. Rajalingam, questioning the surveillance arrangements. Sinha alleged that after the power supply was disrupted, the cameras remained off for a long time, raising concern over the security of the strong room.
Some reports claimed the cameras were shut for about 10 minutes, while the SP candidate also said surveillance had remained disrupted for a longer period late at night. Between these claims and the technical fault cited by the administration, detailed information on the actual duration for which the cameras remained off is important.
Counting for the graduate and teachers’ constituencies in Varanasi began at 8 am on October 27. According to the administration, counting is being conducted in the presence of election officials, staff and agents appointed by political parties. Verification and counting of ballot papers are being carried out under the prescribed procedure.
The incident of CCTV cameras stopping before counting has brought the strong room’s surveillance arrangements into focus. The administration has described it as a technical fault, while the opposition candidate has demanded an inquiry and steps to ensure transparency. Examination of records related to the duration for which the cameras remained off and the technical fault may bring greater clarity to all aspects of the matter.
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