Kharge Accuses Modi Govt Of ‘Frontal Attack On Constitution, Democracy’ Over Election Rule Amendment
Congress accuses the Modi government of undermining the Election Commission's integrity by restricting public access to election-related documents, including CCTV footage and webcasting recordings.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday accused the Narendra Modi government of systematically eroding the institutional integrity of the Election Commission of India (ECI) following a recent amendment to the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961. The change restricts public access to certain electronic documents, including CCTV footage and webcasting recordings, a move Kharge described as a "frontal attack on the Constitution and democracy."
The amendment, issued by the Union law ministry on Friday based on the ECI's recommendation, modifies Rule 93(2)(a) to limit the type of election-related documents open to public inspection. These include electronic materials such as video recordings of candidates during the Model Code of Conduct period, which are not explicitly covered under the existing rules.
Reacting sharply to the development, Kharge said in a post on X (formerly Twitter), “Modi government's audacious amendment in the Conduct of Election Rules is another assault in its systematic conspiracy to destroy the institutional integrity of the Election Commission of India. Earlier, they had removed the Chief Justice of India from the selection panel which appoints Election Commissioners, and now they have resorted to stonewall electoral information, even after a High Court order.”
Modi Govt’s audacious amendment in the Conduct of Election Rules is another assault in its systematic conspiracy to destroy the institutional integrity of the Election Commission of India.
— Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) December 22, 2024
Earlier, they had removed the Chief Justice of India from the Selection panel which… pic.twitter.com/c1u7pNdlif
Kharge further criticised the ECI for its alleged lack of independence. "Every time the Congress party wrote to the ECI regarding specific poll irregularities such as voter deletions and lack of transparency in EVMs, the ECI has responded in a condescending tone and chosen not to even acknowledge certain serious complaints," he alleged.
"Modi Govt’s calibrated erosion of ECI’s integrity is a frontal attack on the Constitution and Democracy and we will take every step to safeguard them," the Congress President claimed.
Congress To Challenge Election Rule Amendment
On Saturday, Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh condemned the amendment, announcing that the party would legally challenge it. Lok Sabha MP and Congress general secretary (organisation) KC Venugopal echoed the criticism, claiming that the ECI had adopted "opacity and a pro-government attitude" in its functioning.
The amendment stems from a court case that highlighted the absence of certain electronic documents under the purview of the Conduct of Election Rules. According to news agency PTI, a former ECI official explained that materials like CCTV footage and webcasting are not carried out under these rules but are measures initiated by the ECI to ensure fair elections.
Previously, Rule 93 mandated that all election-related papers be open to public inspection. The amendment introduces the clause “as specified in these rules” after the word "papers," thereby limiting the scope of documents available for public scrutiny.
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