1 week Ago By IANS
Congress has filed a petition in the Supreme Court challenging the recent amendments to the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961. The amendments, introduced by the Election Commission of India (ECI) on December 21, restrict public access to election materials, including CCTV footage, unless explicitly listed by the ECI. Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh announced the party's legal action, stating that the ECI cannot unilaterally make such significant changes to a vital law without public consultation.
Ramesh emphasized the importance of transparency and accountability in the electoral process, which he believes the amendments undermine. He added that the amendment does away with "public access to essential information that makes the electoral process more transparent and accountable" and that "the integrity of the electoral process is fast eroding. Hopefully the Supreme Court will help restore it.
" The amendment comes after a Punjab and Haryana High Court directive to provide CCTV footage of an election booth. Critics, including Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, argue that the amendment stifles transparency and undermines a fundamental feature of the Constitution – transparency. Stalin called the amendment an "undemocratic assault on free and fair elections" and urged all political parties to oppose it.
He believes this move poses a severe threat to democracy under the current BJP-led Union Government..
