Congress has filed a petition in the Supreme Court, challenging the central government’s decision to amend the rules of the Election Commission. The party hopes the court will help restore the integrity of the electoral process. Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh said the Election Commission is a constitutional body responsible for free and fair elections. He argued that such an important rule cannot be changed unilaterally without public consultation.
Changes to Rule 93 Raise Concerns
The government amended Rule 93 of the Election Conduct Rules, 1961, which previously allowed public inspection of election-related papers. The change now restricts the public’s access to some electronic documents, such as CCTV footage, webcasting, and video recordings of candidates. The government claims this change is necessary to prevent the misuse of these materials, such as the spreading of fake narratives using AI-manipulated footage.
The government clarified that candidates will still have access to these materials and others can obtain them through legal means, such as court orders.
Congress Accuses EC of Weakening Transparency
On December 21, Congress accused the Election Commission of weakening the transparency of the electoral process. The party believes the rule change undermines public trust in the fairness of elections. Congress urges the Supreme Court to intervene and restore the transparency of the electoral process.