THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Election Commission has implemented live camera surveillance in all booths in eight districts and 75% of booths in six districts to eradicate the practice of false voting in northern districts. Webcasting has been arranged in all booths of Kasaragod, Kannur, Wayanad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Palakkad, Thrissur and Thiruvananthapuram districts. Camera surveillance has also been set up in strong rooms and counting centers where voting machines are stored.

Live polling was initiated in 2019 following widespread complaints of polling booths reporting turnout rates exceeding 90 percent.

The penalty for fraudulent voting is two years of imprisonment. Police can file a case under Section 171 of the Indian Penal Code for fraudulent voting, which includes impersonation, intimidation to influence a voter, and voter forgery. These offenses fall under Section 171(d) and are non-bailable. Section 171(f) imposes punishment with imprisonment for one year or a fine, or both. The Representation of the People Act also considers fraudulent voting a non-bailable offense, punishable by up to one year of imprisonment.

The victims of fraudulent voting often include expatriates and soldiers. Votes of expatriates, foreign nationals and soldiers have been known to be forged. In 2014, five polling officials were arrested for 58 false votes in Kannur. During the last Lok Sabha elections, the Election Commission discovered that three individuals, including a Kasaragod panchayat member had cast fake votes.

Webcasting was introduced to prevent booth capturing, the distribution of money, and fraudulent voting. The live footage will be monitored in the offices of the Chief Electoral Officer and the Returning Officer of 20 mandals.

- Sanjay Kaul

Chief Electoral Officer