On Thursday, the Election Commission of India issued new post-poll guidelines for the West Bengal Assembly Election 2026, focusing on the handling of surveillance camera data. The revised rules state that SD cards from polling booth cameras cannot be removed immediately after voting ends; they must remain under the supervision of a sector officer until they are processed at a designated Data Collection and Receiving Centre. This measure is aimed at preventing tampering or loss of critical footage. The guidelines also stress the importance of maintaining a clear chain of custody for video material, which is crucial for resolving any disputes or complaints that may arise during the post-poll phase. The new directives come as West Bengal experiences a significant voter turnout, averaging around 92%, reflecting strong political engagement. Some rural constituencies reported even higher participation rates. The Election Commission has mandated that all polling and administrative officials adhere to these protocols until the counting process is complete, underscoring the importance of transparency and integrity in the electoral process. The first phase of voting concluded on Thursday, with the second phase scheduled for April 29 and results to be announced on May 4.