New Delhi: Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday criticised the Centre for amending an election rule that limits public access to certain electronic documents. He accused the Narendra Modi-led government of orchestrating a “systematic conspiracy” to undermine the integrity of the Election Commission of India. In a post on social media platform X, Kharge said the Modi government’s “deliberate erosion” of the poll panel’s credibility constitutes a direct attack on the Constitution and democracy.
The Centre modified an election rule to restrict public inspection of specific electronic documents, including CCTV footage, webcasting records, and videos of candidates, in an effort to prevent their misuse. On Friday, the Union Law Ministry amended Rule 93(2)(a) of the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961, to narrow the scope of documents available for public inspection, following the recommendation of the Election Commission.
‘Assault, conspiracy to destroy’
“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,” Mallikarjun Kharge posted on X.
“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,” he added.
Kharge accuses ECI of dismissing Congress concerns
Kharge further said that whenever the Congress raises concerns with the Election Commission of India about issues like voter deletions and the lack of transparency in EVMs, the ECI replies dismissively and often ignores critical complaints altogether.
“This again proves that the ECI, even though it is a quasi-judicial body, is not behaving independently,” he said. “The Modi government’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,” Kharge said.
Congress General Secretary for Communications Jairam Ramesh said that the party would challenge the amendment in court. Meanwhile, Lok Sabha MP and Congress General Secretary (Organisation), KC Venugopal, criticised the Election Commission for its lack of transparency and its biased, pro-government stance in its actions so far.
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