'45 days, not 1 year'; Rahul Gandhi accuses Election Commission of 'erasing evidence': EC clarifies why sharing CCTV footage is not possible

NEW DELHI: The Election Commission has quoted privacy and legal issues in sharing CCTV footage of webcasting at polling stations. The Commission's response comes after Lok Sabha Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi's repeated allegations of rigging in last year's Maharashtra elections and demands for the release of the webcasting footage.

The Commission also pointed out that by releasing the footage, voters can be easily identified by any group or individual. This will create an opportunity for harassing or profiling voters, especially in booths where a party performs poorly.

"Voter list? Will not give a machine-readable format. CCTV footage? Hidden by changing the law. Election photos and videos? Now they will be deleted in 45 days, not 1 year. The one who was supposed to provide answers is the one deleting the evidence." Rahul Gandhi posted on his X platform.

Rahul Gandhi raised demands such as making available the voter list for the Lok Sabha and assembly elections, including those in Maharashtra, and releasing CCTV footage of polling booths. Rahul Gandhi alleged in the X that what happened in Maharashtra will be repeated in Bihar and other places where the BJP is likely to lose and that such 'match-fixed' elections are dangerous for democracy. Rahul Gandhi had also alleged that the decision to include a cabinet minister in the committee to appoint the Election Commission instead of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court was tainted. The Election Commission remained silent on the questions of the opposition.