Supreme Court mandates CCTV and videography across all local body elections in Andhra Pradesh

New Delhi, Oct 31: The Supreme Court has issued important directions to ensure that all local body elections in Andhra Pradesh are conducted freely and fairly. Its final order, dated October 27, makes CCTV or videography coverage applicable to municipal, ZPTC, MPTC and Gram Panchayat elections across the state.

The Court directed that CCTV cameras or video recording facilities be provided at nomination-receiving centres and Returning Officers’ offices, as well as at polling stations, strong rooms and vote-counting centres.

The footage must be preserved until the deadline for filing election petitions has expired. If an election petition is filed, the footage must be retained until the case is finally decided. Relevant footage must be provided to the Election Tribunal when requested. It must also be made available, upon application, to parties to the election petition.

The Supreme Court further directed the Election Commission to take steps to ensure that all local body elections in the state are conducted freely and impartially. The Director General of Police was directed to provide adequate security so candidates can file their nominations without obstruction.

These directions establish safeguards covering the election process from the filing of nominations through polling and counting, and require the preservation and availability of footage for the adjudication of election disputes.