VIDEOGRAPHY

Videography to record critical events-_Consolidated instructions.

-------------------------------------------------Dont's

1. Orderly queues outside polling stations.

2. A scene within a counting hall.

3. Door-to-Door canvassing.

4. Vehicles moving with mike sets fixed for canvassing.

5. Scenes from public meetings addressed by local leaders.

Note: These are illustrative and not exhaustive

6.7) The Officer accompanying the team shall ensure that secrecy of the mission is maintained and video tapes do not pass into unauthorised hands and no portion is damaged or mutilated.

7. The video films thus prepared shall be viewed by the Returning Officer immediately to identify whether any of the organisers/speakers or other participants of the public meeting has committed any violations or infractions of statutory provisions and directions of the Commission or Model Code of Conduct relating to the conduct of elections.

8. In cases where the Returning Officer is himself competent, immediate corrective action including disciplinary action against all those found guilty shall be taken and the Commission informed of the same.

9. In cases of serious infringements which the Returning Officer in his judgement decides to report to the Commission, the concerned video tape will be forwarded to the Commission by quickest means possible. The tapes will be carefully indexed and accompanied by a brief explanatory note of the infringement towards which the attention of the Commission is proposed to be invited. The explanatory note shall invariably mention the broad details of the violations, the persons responsible for the same and the action recommended.

10. While seeking the clearance of the Commission for taking up of the counting of the votes and declaration of the results, the Returning Officer must include a categorical statement to the effect that all infringements observed in the videographed events have been appropriately and completely disposed of.

INSPECTION AND SUPPLY OF COPIES (Prints) OF VIDEO TAPES

11. Requests have been received from contesting candidates, office bearers of political parties and others interested for inspection and supply of copies (prints) of the video tapes produced in compliance with the above mentioned orders of the Commission.

12. The Commission considers it necessary to lay down some uniform guidelines and a standard procedure in this regard.

13. After careful consideration of all relevant factors, the Commission lays down the following procedure:

13.1) Each and every video cassette produced in compliance with the orders of the Commission shall form a part of the record of the concerned election and stored as such with due precautions for its safety until it is weeded out with the prior written approval of the Commission and in the manner prescribed, as in the case of other records of the election.

13.2) All such video cassettes will be in the custody of the District Election Officer concerned as in the case of all other election related records.

13.3) Each and every video tape shall be indexed with a uniform code number in the following standard formulation:

State/District/AC/Date of recording/Gist of event videographed.

13.4) The locking seal of cassettes will be kept in tact and not broken, so that copying of the contents of cassette on another cassette does become impossible, but shall be covered by a tape before consigning the cassette for storage with a view to preventing accidental erasing of contents, editing, manipulation, etc.

13.5) In pursuance of rule 93(2) read with section 76 of the Indian Evidence Act, 1872 the Commission has issued the following directions-

13.5.1) Inspection - (a) Every application for inspection of a video cassette shall be made in writing and should contain the full particulars concerning the cassette of which inspection is required. (b) an inspection of the cassette shall be allowed to any person applying for the same on payment of Rs. 25/- per hour of inspection or part thereof unless inspection is required to be made urgently in which case the fee shall be Rs. 50/- (c) Inspection on an ordinary application shall be allowed on the date following the date on which the application is made or on a subsequent day and inspection on an urgent application shall be made on the same day.

13.5.2) Certified copy - (a) Certified print of the video cassette shall be given to any person applying for the same on payment of Rs. 25/- as application fee and the actual cost of copying as may be locally applicable. The application should establish the right of the applicant for inspection or for supply of certified copies-(prints) and for that purpose should clearly disclose that the applicant has a direct and tangible interest in the video cassette and the nature of such interest.

(b) No fee shall be charged when inspection or certified copy(print) of a cassette is required for official purposes. To avoid removal of any footage of the cassette or damage or mutilation of the cassette, effective supervision by officials shall be ensured and simultaneous inspection by a large number of persons shall not be allowed.

13.6) the video cassettes will be made available for inspection in the office of the District Election Officer or Chief Electoral Officer as the case may be;

13.7) No guarantee for authenticity and veracity of the contents of the cassettes will be undertaken under any circumstances and these will be made available on as they are basis.

14. The contents of the letter may be brought to the notice of all political parties and contesting candidates at every election to the House of the People and to the State Legislative Assembly.

15. Kindly acknowledge receipt.



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