The Central Election Commission (CEC) has provided some clarifications regarding the placement of cameras in polling stations for the April 21 vote, where the removal of the mayors of four northern municipalities will be voted on.
The CEC has informed that this is not a decision that only includes the voting process on April 21.
Through an announcement, this institution has indicated that this decision will apply to all future election processes whenever they are held.
“Regarding the plans to install cameras in polling stations, the CEC clarifies that this is not a decision that only includes the voting process on April 21, 2024, but will apply to all future election processes. on this topic several issues should be kept in mind. First, the installation of cameras in polling stations is planned during the drafting of by-laws by the CEC, more precisely with the Electoral Regulations No. 11/2024 for Polling Station Councils and No. 12/2024 for voting, counting and management of the Polling Station. These and other Electoral Regulations are not only drawn up for the voting process that will be held on April 21, but will also apply to the future electoral processes”, it was said in the announcement of the CEC.
Furthermore, the CEC clarified the purpose of placing these cameras.
“Secondly, the placement of surveillance cameras in the spaces inside the polling station is done in order to guarantee the security of election materials and preserve the integrity of the voting and counting process in the polling station. According to the evaluations of the CEC, on the day of the elections, in the Voting Centers, namely in the Polling Stations, in the electoral processes from 2009 to 2021, irregularities were identified which affected the integrity, cost and public confidence in the elections. In the 2009-2021 election processes, on average, 36% of the polling stations were recounted and this has influenced the increase in the cost of the elections and the decrease in the confidence of actors in the administration of the election process”, it was said in the announcement of the CEC, giving other clarifications. .
“Thirdly, according to the procedure approved by the CEC, it is important to clarify that the placement of cameras in polling stations will be done by fully ensuring the secrecy of the vote, as they will be placed at the other end of the place where the booth will be of voting and under no circumstances will be able to record the voter’s preference marking. Fourth, the storage of the camera recordings will be temporary, until the destruction of the election material, which according to the Law on General Elections is done within 60 days after the certification of the election result. And, finally, on the voting day, the CEC will not monitor these cameras, so the registration will be done passively. Access to the video recording can only be provided by decision or request of the law enforcement institutions: the CEC, the PZAP, the prosecution or the court and not in other circumstances”, announced the CEC.
