'Hope SC Helps Restore Integrity': Congress Files Petition Against Amendment To Election Rules
New Delhi: After Union Government amended elections rules recently, the Congress on Tuesday filed a writ petition in the Supreme Court, challenging the decision. The grand old party had earlier slammed the amendments, calling it a continuation of the erosion of the poll body’s integrity. The party, while approaching the top court, expressed hope that it would help restore the integrity of the election process.
The government last week tweaked the rules to prevent public access to certain election-related electronic documents, such as CCTV camera and webcasting footage, claiming that it was to prevent misuse. Congress general secretary in charge of communication Jairam Ramesh, after filing the petition, said that the EC, charged with the conduct of free and fair elections, cannot be allowed to unilaterally, and without public consultation, amend such a vital law in such a brazen manner.
Read Also: “Something Very Wrong”: Centre Changes Rules Restricting Public Access To Poll Data
“This is especially true when that amendment does away with public access to essential information that makes the electoral process more transparent and accountable. The integrity of the electoral process is fast eroding. Hopefully the Supreme Court will help restore it,” the Congress Rajya Sabha leader wrote in an X post.
A Writ has just been filed in the Supreme Court challenging the recent amendments to the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961.
The Election Commission, a Constitutional body, charged with the conduct of free and fair elections cannot be allowed to unilaterally, and without public…
— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) December 24, 2024
There were earlier reports that the EC had complained to the Union Government of having difficulty with providing information to queries related to all election data. The following amendments by the government based on the poll panel’s recommendation had inserted the phrase that specific documents will not be made available to public scrutiny. However, it is reported that the candidates will have access to these electronic records for their respective constituencies.
Read Also: “To Kill The Transparency In Election”: MK Stalin On Centre’s Election Documents Decision
Congress and AAP had echoed similar sentiments suspecting the government’s intention behind the amendment. It is also crucial to note that the amendment also follows the Punjab and Haryana High Court’s direction to the EC, asking it to supply entire videography, CCTV footage, and copies of Form 17C for all 90 assembly seats in the recently held Haryana elections, which the poll body has not provided yet.
The direction was in a petition raising questions about the transparency and accountability of the Haryana assembly elections. The Congress had also raised serious allegations against the EC when the result of the Haryana election was released, which was completely opposite to exit poll results
