ECI deploys expert videographers for Bengal 'shadow zones' polling

Kolkata: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has appointed specialist videographers to record polling from start to finish at booths in 'shadow zones'—areas with poor mobile and internet connectivity—for West Bengal's two-phase Assembly elections later this month.

These zones hinder effective online surveillance, prompting the measure. ECI insiders confirmed 625 such locations have been identified, primarily in remote hilly terrains of Darjeeling and Kalimpong, tribal Jangalmahal areas across Bankura, Purulia, West Midnapore, and Jhargram, plus forested Sunderbans in South 24 Parganas for the 23 April first phase.

Videographers will be escorted by Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) personnel to prevent disruption by anti-social elements. Footage will be relayed periodically from nearby non-shadow zones to district control rooms, district magistrates (also electoral officers), and the West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer's central hub in Kolkata.

ECI observers will scrutinise recordings to determine if re-polling is needed. Ground reports highlight these zones as hotspots for past malpractices, including booth jamming, source jamming, and voter intimidation.

Separately, the ECI has cut counting centres to 87 from 108 in 2021 and 90 in 2016. South 24 Parganas leads with 12, followed by North 24 Parganas (8) and Hooghly (6); Kalimpong, Alipurduar, and Jhargram have one each.

(Inputs from IANS)