- By Anushka Vats
- Wed, 15 Jan 2025 01:43 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
The Supreme Court on Wednesday sought replies from the Centre and the Election Commission regarding a petition by Congress leader Jairam Ramesh, challenging recent changes to the 1961 Conduct of Election Rules that restrict public access to CCTV and election documents. The plea will be heard on March 17
A bench led by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar acknowledged the arguments made by senior advocates Kapil Sibal and Abhishek Singhvi, representing the Congress leader, and issued notices in response to the petition.
Meanwhile, Jairam Ramesh, in his plea, condemned the amendment, describing it as a move that undermines the 'integrity of the electoral process'.
"The Election Commission, a Constitutional body, 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," he said.
"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," he added.
Earlier, Mallikarjun Kharge slammed Centre for tweaking an election rule to prevent public inspection of certain electronic documents, alleging it is part of the Modi government's "systematic conspiracy" to destroy the institutional integrity of the Election Commission.
Kharge also said the Modi government's "calibrated erosion" of the ECI's integrity is a frontal attack on the Constitution and democracy.
The Supreme Court on Wednesday sought replies from the Centre and the Election Commission regarding a petition by Congress leader Jairam Ramesh, challenging recent changes to the 1961 Conduct of Election Rules that restrict public access to CCTV and election documents.
A bench led by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar acknowledged the arguments made by senior advocates Kapil Sibal and Abhishek Singhvi, representing the Congress leader, and issued notices in response to the petition.
Meanwhile, Jairam Ramesh, in his plea, condemned the amendment, describing it as a move that undermines the 'integrity of the electoral process'.
"The Election Commission, a Constitutional body, 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," he said.
"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," he added.
Earlier, Mallikarjun Kharge slammed Centre for tweaking an election rule to prevent public inspection of certain electronic documents, alleging it is part of the Modi government's "systematic conspiracy" to destroy the institutional integrity of the Election Commission.
Kharge also said the Modi government's "calibrated erosion" of the ECI's integrity is a frontal attack on the Constitution and democracy.
The government has tweaked an election rule to prevent public inspection of certain electronic documents such as CCTV camera and webcasting footage as well as video recordings of candidates to prevent their misuse.
Based on the recommendation of the Election Commission of India (ECI), the Union law ministry on Friday amended Rule 93(2)(a) of the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961, to restrict the type of "papers" or documents open to public inspection.
The government has tweaked an election rule to prevent public inspection of certain electronic documents such as CCTV camera and webcasting footage as well as video recordings of candidates to prevent their misuse.
Based on the recommendation of the Election Commission of India (ECI), the Union law ministry on Friday amended Rule 93(2)(a) of the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961, to restrict the type of "papers" or documents open to public inspection.
