Kerala High Court Strengthens Election Security with Live Webcasting and Police Deployment

The Kerala High Court has ordered the implementation of live webcasting systems and deployment of additional police forces for local body elections, focusing on hyper-sensitive and sensitive booths. The decision follows multiple petitions highlighting past incidents of violence and booth capturing, emphasizing enhanced security measures to ensure fair elections.

The Kerala High Court on Friday ordered the establishment of live webcasting systems and the deployment of extra police force to ensure smooth conduct of local body elections, specifically targeting 'hyper-sensitive' and 'sensitive' polling booths, as designated by the State Election Commission (SEC).

The ruling responded to a series of petitions filed by candidates, booth agents, and the public, who cited previous instances of booth capturing and lawlessness during elections. The court emphasized the need for heightened security and transparency to uphold electoral integrity across the state.

Petitioners expressed concerns about potential violence in upcoming elections, urging for preventive measures such as webcasting and additional police presence. The court instructed concerned parties to apply for videography at their expense if desired and directed District Election Officers to grant such requests in case of valid apprehensions, reinforcing the SEC's commitment to fair elections.

(With inputs from agencies.)