Election Commission’s 45-Day CCTV Footage Retention Rule: Does It Violate Voter Privacy Laws and Electoral Transparency?

The decision of the Election Commission of India to keep only 45 days of CCTV footage of the polling station unless an election petition is filed is a debateable topic. Although such a policy is intended to safeguard voter privacy and avoid the use of footage to create damaging narratives, critics view it to be a hindrance to voting transparency and accountability creating fundamental questions about what democracy has to offer as a value.