Key Points
- EC dismisses RJD’s viral video alleging CCTV tampering in Hajipur strong room as misleading
- Investigation reveals auto-timeout caused temporary screen blackout, not security breach
- Control room CCTV feeds remained operational throughout alleged incident
- Pickup van entry was for security personnel’s bedding and food, not unauthorized access
- First phase recorded historic 65.08% turnout, highest in recent Bihar elections
New Delhi: The Rashtriya Janata Dal sparked a political firestorm by sharing a video on social media platforms claiming serious security lapses at the strong room housing EVMs from five assembly constituencies in Hajipur, Vaishali district. The video purportedly showed CCTV footage displays being switched off sequentially across different assembly constituencies, followed by a pickup van entering and exiting the premises around midnight.
The allegations gained rapid traction on social media, with opposition parties and citizens expressing concerns about the integrity of stored voting machines ahead of the counting process. The claims suggested potential tampering with electronic voting machines secured after the first phase of polling.
Election Commission Orders Swift Investigation
Taking immediate cognizance of the serious allegations, the Election Commission deployed senior officials to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the RJD’s claims. The inquiry team examined the complete security infrastructure, reviewed CCTV footage archives, and interviewed security personnel and monitoring staff present during the alleged incident.
The investigation revealed critical facts that contradicted the narrative presented in the viral video.
Dual CCTV Monitoring System Explained
The Election Commission clarified that a robust dual-location CCTV monitoring system has been established for strong room security. Two separate display installations continuously monitor the strong room:
The first monitoring station is located in the dedicated control room, where trained personnel maintain round-the-clock surveillance. The second display system is positioned in an area designated specifically for political party representatives and candidate observers near the strong room, ensuring transparency and allowing stakeholders to independently verify security measures.
Crucially, the investigation confirmed that CCTV footage feeds in the control room remained continuously operational and displayed throughout the period in question, with no interruption whatsoever.
Technical Glitch Behind Screen Blackout
The EC investigation determined that the CCTV display screen showing footage from the Mahnar constituency—one of five assembly constituencies whose EVMs are stored in the Hajipur strong room experienced a temporary blackout in the representatives’ viewing area. However, this was not due to deliberate tampering or security compromise.
The screen automatically disabled due to an auto-timeout feature, a standard power-saving mechanism in electronic displays. The timeout occurred because no one was actively monitoring that particular screen during the late-night hours when political party representatives were not present in the viewing area.
The display was restored to full functionality within minutes once the technical issue was identified. Significantly, the corresponding CCTV display for Mahnar constituency in the control room remained operational without any interruption, ensuring that continuous surveillance was never compromised.
Pickup Van Mystery Resolved
Addressing the second major allegation regarding a pickup van entering the strong room premises at midnight, the Election Commission provided a complete explanation backed by documentary evidence.
The investigation revealed that the vehicle in question was transporting bedding materials and food supplies for security personnel deployed at the strong room. The van entered the college campus housing the strong room, delivered the necessary items, and exited within approximately 15 minutes.
All vehicular movements are logged and authorized through proper security protocols. The delivery was routine and followed established procedures for ensuring the welfare of round-the-clock security staff without compromising the integrity of the secured area.
Three-Tier Security Framework
The Election Commission emphasized that the Hajipur strong room, located within a college campus, operates under a comprehensive three-tier security framework designed to prevent any unauthorized access or tampering.
The first security layer comprises central paramilitary forces stationed at the outermost perimeter. The second layer consists of state police personnel providing intermediate security coverage. The innermost layer includes specialized security personnel with direct responsibility for the strong room structure itself.
Additionally, continuous CCTV surveillance, regular patrol schedules, and mandatory log maintenance of all entries and exits create multiple safeguards against security breaches. Political party representatives also have designated access to monitoring areas, ensuring multi-stakeholder oversight.
Historic Voter Turnout in First Phase
The first phase of the Bihar Assembly elections witnessed unprecedented voter participation, with 65.08% of registered voters casting their ballots across 121 assembly constituencies spanning 18 districts. Voting was conducted at 45,341 polling stations equipped with comprehensive security and monitoring arrangements.
According to the Chief Electoral Officer, women voters participated with remarkable enthusiasm, contributing significantly to the high turnout figures. This engagement reflects growing political awareness and civic participation among female voters in Bihar.
The 65.08% turnout represents a substantial increase compared to previous electoral exercises. It exceeds the 2020 Bihar Assembly elections turnout of 57.29% by 7.79 percentage points, a remarkable jump indicating heightened voter interest. Similarly, it surpasses the 2024 Lok Sabha elections turnout of 56.28% by 8.8 percentage points, demonstrating sustained momentum in democratic participation.
The Election Commission attributed the record turnout to extensive voter awareness campaigns, improved polling station facilities, and efficient election management that instilled confidence among citizens.
