Election Commission not in favour of CCTV, body cams at polling stations

The Election Commission (EC) has indicated that it will take no action to implement the use of CCTV cameras or police body-worn cameras in the upcoming 13th national election, despite government interest in the measures. In a letter signed by EC Deputy Secretary Rashedul Islam, the commission said it had no role in decisions about surveillance equipment at polling stations. The letter was sent to the home ministry’s senior secretary after the ministry had sought guidance on the matter. Referring to a home ministry meeting on Aug 6 about logistics and planning for law enforcement during the election, the EC said it had decided there was “nothing to be done” on the question of cameras. At an earlier meeting on...