AI Surveillance and Electoral Reforms: Jubilee Hills By-Poll Implements New Voting Technology

The Jubilee Hills assembly by-poll scheduled for November 11 will implement the Election Commission's innovative measures aimed at ensuring electoral integrity and enhancing voter experience.

Telangana Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) C Sudharshan Reddy conducted a meeting with representatives from various political parties including Congress, BJP, BRS, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), and AIMIM to discuss preparations for the upcoming by-election.

During the meeting, Reddy announced that the by-poll would feature new electoral reforms introduced by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. These reforms, being implemented for the first time in Bihar Assembly Elections and eight assembly by-elections across India, focus on transparency, efficiency, and voter convenience.

Key measures include the deployment of Artificial Intelligence-based surveillance systems and GPS-enabled monitoring of sensitive polling stations to prevent electoral malpractice. The reforms also limit each polling station to a maximum of 1,200 voters to reduce congestion.

To assist voters in identifying their preferred candidates more easily, color photographs of contesting candidates will be affixed on Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and ballot units.

The Election Commission has also mandated the deployment of additional women polling personnel to encourage greater participation of women voters in the electoral process.

Reddy reviewed the preparedness of various departments to ensure free, fair, and peaceful elections while appealing to all political parties to fully cooperate and strictly adhere to the Model Code of Conduct.

In conversation with PTI Videos, the CEO mentioned that a Special Summary Revision (SSR) of electoral rolls was conducted specifically for this by-poll, resulting in relevant deletions and substantial additions of electors - a procedure not typically undertaken for by-elections in the past.

He clarified that the Election Commission has not yet directed the implementation of a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls similar to Bihar, though preparations for such a process, including staff training, have been completed.

The by-election for the Jubilee Hills assembly constituency was necessitated following the death of BRS MLA Maganti Gopinath in June this year due to a heart attack. The high-stakes contest will take place on November 11, with vote counting scheduled for November 14, as announced by CEC Gyanesh Kumar in Delhi on Monday.