The Supreme Court of India has strongly reprimanded the Election Commission of India (ECI) for the disappearance of crucial poll footage from Sringeri, Karnataka, concerning the 2023 elections. The court expressed its dissatisfaction with the ECI’s explanations regarding the missing footage, deeming them unacceptable. This development arose during a hearing related to a case concerning the integrity of the electoral process. The court demanded a thorough investigation into how the footage was lost and who is responsible. The ECI was further instructed to provide a comprehensive report detailing the measures it has taken to recover the footage and prevent similar incidents in the future. This incident raises serious questions about the security and transparency of the electoral process in Sringeri and potentially impacts broader confidence in the 2023 election results. The Court emphasized the need for accountability and robust safeguards to ensure free and fair elections.