File photo of Congress president Mallikarjuna Kharge. | Photo credit: PTI
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday (Dec 22, 2024) hit out at the government for tweaking election rules to prevent public inspection of certain electronic documents, alleging it was part of a “systematic conspiracy” to destroy the institutional integrity of the Modi government. Election Commission.
Mr. Kharge also said that the Modi government’s “calibrated erosion” of ECI’s integrity was a frontal attack on the Constitution and democracy.
The government has changed election rules to prevent public inspection of certain electronic documents such as CCTV cameras and webcasting footage and to prevent misuse of video recordings of candidates.
Based on the recommendations of the Election Commission of India (ECI), the Union Law Ministry on Friday (December 20, 2024) amended Rule 93(2)(a) of the Elections Rules, 1961, under Rule 93(2)(a), “Documents”. or documents open to public inspection.
Reacting to the development, Mr. Kharge said, “The Modi government’s bold amendment to the Election Code of Conduct is yet another attack in a well-planned conspiracy to destroy the institutional integrity of the Election Commission of India.”
“Earlier, they removed the Chief Justice of India from the selection panel that appoints the Election Commissioners, and now they have resorted to stonewalling for election information even after the High Court order,” he said in a post on X.
Every time the Congress party has written to the ECI about electoral irregularities such as voter deletion and lack of transparency in EVMs, the ECI has responded in a meek tone and has chosen not to entertain even some serious complaints, Mr. Kharge said.
“This again proves that the Election Commission, though a quasi-judicial body, is not acting independently,” he said.
“The Modi government’s calibrated erosion of ECI’s integrity is a frontal assault on the Constitution and democracy and we will take every step to protect them,” Mr. Kharge said.
Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh, in-charge of communication, has said that the party will legally challenge the constitutional amendment.
Lok Sabha MP and Congress General Secretary (Organisation) KC Venugopal said that the Election Panel has opted for ambiguity and pro-government attitude in its behaviour.
According to Rule 93, all documents related to the election shall be open for public inspection.
The amendment inserts “as prescribed in these rules” after “papers”.
Law ministry and ECI officials separately explained that the court case was the “trigger” behind the amendment.
Although documents such as nomination forms, appointment of election agents, results and election accounting statements are mentioned in the Election Code of Conduct, electronic documents such as CCTV camera footage, webcasting footage and video recording of candidates are not mentioned in the Code of Conduct period. covered up
“CCTV coverage, webcasting of polling stations is not done under the conduct of election rules but is a result of steps taken by the ECI to ensure a level playing field,” said a former ECI official.
published – December 22, 2024 at 11:40 am IST