Webcasting grid covers all 3,173 booths in district

Thiruvananthapuram: In a major push to strengthen transparency in the assembly elections, the district administration has set up a webcasting control room equipped with advanced surveillance systems to monitor polling in real time.District collector Anu Kumari inaugurated the facility, stating that the initiative is designed to ensure a free and fair electoral process across the district. The control room, located in the conference hall on the third floor of the collectorate, will function as the central hub for monitoring polling activities.Webcasting arrangements have been completed in all 3,173 polling booths. Each booth is fitted with advanced cameras connected through high-speed internet networks, enabling uninterrupted live streaming. Officials said cameras have been strategically positioned both inside and outside polling stations to provide coverage of the voting process.Live feeds from all booths will be transmitted directly to the control room, where officials will monitor them on large screens. The system has been implemented under the supervision of district ICT nodal officer Aneesh Kumar B, who oversaw the installation across the district.To ensure round-the-clock vigilance on polling day, 42 trained officials have been deployed at the control room. They will continuously track live visuals and coordinate with returning officers and security personnel, issuing immediate instructions if any irregularities are detected.International team arrives to observe poll processMeanwhile, an eight-member international delegation visited the district to observe election preparedness under the International Election Visitors Programme. The team inspected polling material distribution centres, including the facility set up for the Nemom constituency at Cotton Hill Government Higher Secondary School in Vazhuthacaud. Members reviewed logistical arrangements and also visited control rooms to assess monitoring mechanisms.The delegation comprises representatives from election management bodies of several countries, including Sierra Leone, Samoa, Belgium, Seychelles and Albania.The team will visit selected polling stations on Thursday, April 9, to directly observe the voting process.