'Systematic Conspiracy': Mallikarjun Kharge Attacks Modi Government On EC's Rule Change

Image: ANI

After the Election Commission revised electoral rules to exclude CCTV footage from polling booths from the list of public-accessible documents, Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge criticised the Centre and accused the Narendra Modi government of "systematic conspiracy" to undermine the institutional integrity of the Election Commission of India.

Kharge shared a post on X and said, "Modi Govt’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."

Modi Govt’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.

Earlier, they had removed the Chief Justice of India from the Selection panel which… pic.twitter.com/c1u7pNdlif — Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) December 22, 2024

He further added that the BJP government has removed the Chief Justice of India from the selection panel responsible for appointing Election Commissioners and now seeks to block access to electoral information.

"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." kharede said.

Kharge further informed that his party reached out to ECI regarding specific poll irregularities but the commission responded in a condescending tone.

"Everytime the Congress party wrote to the ECI, regarding specific poll irregularities such as voter deletions and lack of transparency in EVMs, the ECI has responded in a condescending tone and chosen not to even acknowledge certain serious complaints. This again proves that the ECI, even though is a quasi-judicial body is not behaving independently," Kharge said.

"Modi Govt’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," the post read.

On Friday, the Union law ministry amended Rule 93(2)(a) of the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961, to restrict the type of "papers" or documents open to public inspection. As per Rule 93, all "papers" related to elections shall be open to public inspection. The amendment inserts "as specified in these rules" after "papers." Law ministry and EC officials separately explained that a court case was the "trigger" behind the amendment.