Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge (File photo) NEW DELHI: A day after the Election Commission tweaked electoral rules to restrict public inspection of certain documents, Congress chief Kharge on Sunday claimed the move to be a part of BJP-NDA government's another "systematic conspiracy" to undermine the institutional integrity of the Election Commission of India . On Friday, the Union law ministry amended Rule 93(2)(a) of the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961, limiting the types of "papers" or documents accessible for public inspection. Subsequently, the Election Commission revised electoral regulations to specify that CCTV footage from polling stations will not be considered "documents" available for viewing by candidates or the public.
The earlier provision under Section 93(2) of the Conduct of Election Rules allowed "all other election-related papers" to be inspected by the public with court authorisation. However, the new changes seem to have flared the Congress up, with Kharge hitting out, saying the "Modi government's calibrated erosion of the poll panel's integrity is a frontal attack on the Constitution and democracy." Taking to X, Kharge said, "Modi government'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 appoints Election Commissioners, and now they have .