A worker from the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) named Shakthivel was arrested for recording himself casting his vote inside a polling booth in the Tirupattur Assembly constituency during the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. Shakthivel allegedly filmed himself voting for the party’s “whistle” symbol using his mobile phone, and the video was later shared on social media, catching the attention of election authorities monitoring the polling stations through CCTV surveillance.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has repeatedly cautioned against bringing mobile phones into polling compartments or recording videos, emphasizing that it violates electoral laws by compromising the secrecy of the ballot. Acting on CCTV footage, officials alerted the police, who promptly apprehended the accused at the booth.
Legal action is underway against Shakthivel under the relevant provisions of election law. Authorities have assured continued strict vigilance throughout the polling day to prevent malpractices and ensure a fair election process. In Tamil Nadu, voting is taking place in a single phase with over 5.73 crore eligible voters deciding the fate of 4,023 candidates contesting in 234 Assembly constituencies.
