Video cameras for Indian state polls
AFP, New Delhi
Video cameras will be installed at high-risk polling stations in a bid to eliminate cheating in three volatile states next month, an Election Commission spokesman said yesterday. The commission took the decision after a Supreme Court directive last week called for rampant electoral malpractices to be curbed. "A decision has been taken to install a camera inside the polling booth. The poll observers will decide which booths will be covered under this order," the spokesman told AFP. Haryana, Bihar and Jharkhand states go to the polls on February 3 with Bihar -- one of India's most lawless states -- slated for two additional days of voting on February 15 and 23. Activists of rival political parties have traditionally "captured" voting stations and ballot boxes while polling officials have been accused of bias in all three states. Though installing cameras at all the 31,888 polling stations would not be possible, "sensitive and hypersensitive" booths will be covered, the spokesman said.
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