EC issues fresh post-poll guidelines for Bengal assembly election

Public Lokpal
April 24, 2026

KOLKATA : The Election Commission on Thursday issued a fresh set of post-poll guidelines for the West Bengal assembly election, laying down strict protocols for handling surveillance cameras and video data after voting concludes, a senior official said.

Under the new guidelines, SD cards used in polling booth cameras cannot be removed immediately after voting ends, and officials concerned will only be permitted to dismount the cameras, which must then remain under the supervision of the sector officer, he said.

“The SD cards can be removed only at the designated Data Collection and Receiving Centre in the presence of the Assistant Returning Officer,” he said.

West Bengal registered a record 92 per cent voter turnout in the first phase of the assembly polls held on 23 April.

Voting was held in 152 seats spread across 16 districts of West Bengal amid unprecedented security to decide the electoral fate of 1,478 candidates, including 167 women.

The election for the remaining seats in the 294-member assembly will be held on 29 April. The results will be announced on 4 May.

The contest in West Bengal is considered largely bipolar. The ruling Trinamool Congress faces a resurgent Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Agency