EC: Sharing polling station videos is privacy breach, warns officials

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued a stern warning against the unauthorized sharing of video footage from inside polling stations, stating that it constitutes a serious breach of voter privacy and could potentially violate election laws.

According to senior EC officials, several instances have been reported during recent elections where political workers or individuals posted videos from within polling booths on social media platforms. These clips often show voters casting their ballots or the overall arrangement inside the booths — actions that are strictly prohibited under the Conduct of Election Rules.

“Capturing or sharing images or videos from inside polling stations without official authorization is a direct violation of the Model Code of Conduct and can compromise the secrecy of the vote,” an EC official said.

The EC emphasized that the voting process is meant to be free, fair, and confidential. The presence of cameras — especially personal mobile phones — inside polling stations is restricted to maintain the sanctity of the electoral process.

Officials further stated that violators could face legal action under Section 128 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, which ensures the secrecy of voting. In some cases, this could also lead to imprisonment or fines, depending on the severity of the breach.

The Commission has urged the public, media personnel, and political representatives to refrain from recording or circulating any footage from within polling booths and to immediately report any such incidents to the nearest election officer.