Tripura: Spl election observer scrutinising webcam footages

Special Election Observer Vinod Zutshi started examining footages recorded in webcams in the booths of West Tripura Lok Sabha constituency where opposition parties demanded fresh polls alleging widespread rigging by the ruling BJP, an official said Wednesday.

Zutshi, former deputy election commissioner, was appointed as special observer for the Northeasern state on Monday, on the eve of the polling in its second seat. Voting in the East Tripura constituency was postponed from April 18 to April 23 in view of the law and order situation.

"Zutshi arrived here on Tuesday evening and started examining all footages recorded by webcasting cameras and other related documents this morning," Deputy Chief electoral Officer Suman Rakshit said.

The scrutiny was ordered following complaints from various political parties about widespread rigging and other poll related irregularities, Rakshit said.

The EC has taken an initiative for 100 per cent webcasting of all polling booths in Tripura and in areas where Internet coverage is poor, video recording would be done and the recorded clips would be submitted to the district election officers, CEO Sriram Taranikanti had said earlier this month.

The special observer will submit his report to the EC, Rakshit said.

Opposition parties such as the CPI(M) and the Congress complained of widespread violence and rigging in the April 11 elections in the West Tripura constituency.

A CPI(M) delegation met the Zutshi on Wednesday and demanded fresh elections in West Tripura constituency.

"We had earlier demanded re-polls in 846 polling booths which were rigged. But there are many other polling stations where voters were intimidated and obstructed to cast votes. So, we asked the special observer to arrange for fresh polls in the entire constituency," CPI(M) state secretary Goutam Das told reporters.

The Congress, which earlier demanded fresh elections in West Tripura constituency welcomed the EC's move of sending a special observer.