Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday hit out at the government for making changes in election rules to prevent public inspection of certain electronic documents, alleging that it is a part of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government’s attempt to destroy the institutional integrity of the Election Commission. Part of a “systematic conspiracy”.
Kharge also said that the deliberate dismantling of the integrity of the Election Commission by the Modi government is a direct attack on the Constitution and democracy.
The government has changed election rules to stop public inspection of certain electronic documents, such as CCTV camera and webcasting footage and video recordings of candidates, to prevent their misuse.
Based on the recommendation of the Election Commission (EC), the Union Law Ministry has amended Rule 93(2)(a) of the Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961 to restrict the types of “papers” or documents kept for public inspection. Amended.
Reacting to the development, Kharge said, “The Modi government’s audacious amendment to the election conduct rules is yet another attack in its systematic conspiracy to destroy the institutional integrity of the Election Commission of India.”
“Earlier, they had removed the Chief Justice from the selection committee that appoints election commissioners and now they are busy withholding election information even after the High Court order,” he wrote on social media platform X “
Kharge said that whenever the Congress Party has written a letter to the Election Commission regarding election irregularities like deletion of names from the voter list and lack of transparency in EVMs, it has responded to it in a contemptuous tone and even accepted some serious complaints. Have not done. “This proves again that the Election Commission, despite being a quasi-judicial body, is not behaving independently,” he said.
Kharge said, “The deliberate destruction of the integrity of the Election Commission by the Modi government is a direct attack on the Constitution and democracy and we will take every step to protect them.” Will challenge the amendment legally.
Lok Sabha member and Congress general secretary (organisation) KC Venugopal said the Election Commission has so far adopted an opaque and pro-government attitude in its functioning.
According to Rule 93, all “papers” relating to the election shall be kept for public inspection. Under the amendment, after “papers”, the words “as specified in these rules” have been added.
Law Ministry and Election Commission officials separately said there was a court case behind the amendment.
Documents such as nomination forms, appointment of election agents, results and election account details are mentioned in the election conduct rules, but electronic documents such as CCTV camera footage, webcasting footage and video recordings of candidates during the Model Code of Conduct period are not within its scope. Come.
A former Election Commission official said, “CCTV coverage and webcasting of polling stations is not done under the election code of conduct, but is a result of steps taken by the Election Commission to provide a level playing field.”
