New Delhi, Dec 24 || The Congress has moved the Supreme Court, challenging the recent amendment to the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961, which restricts public access to election materials, such as CCTV footage, unless explicitly listed by the Election Commission of India (ECI).
In a post on social media platform ‘X’, senior party leader and General Secretary Jairam Ramesh on Tuesday said that the Election Commission cannot be allowed to unilaterally amend the 1961 Conduct of Election Rules in such a brazen manner and without public consultation.
"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 consultation, amend such a vital law in such a brazen manner," announced Ramesh.
The Rajya Sabha MP added that the amendment, introduced on Saturday following recommendations from the ECI, 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 asserted.