Supreme Court to Address Congress Appeal on January 15 Regarding Changes to Election Conduct Rules

New Delhi, Jan 12 (NationPress) The Supreme Court is scheduled to review a plea on Wednesday submitted by senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh. He is challenging the recent amendment to the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961, which imposes restrictions on public access to vital election materials, including CCTV footage, unless these are explicitly identified by the Election Commission of India (ECI).

According to the causelist available on the apex court's website, a bench comprising CJI Sanjiv Khanna and Sanjay Kumar will deliberate on this matter on January 15.

In his plea, filed on December 24 before the Supreme Court, Ramesh argued that the ECI should not be permitted to amend the 1961 Conduct of Election Rules in such an overtly unilateral manner and without adequate public input.

He stated, "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 entity responsible for ensuring free and fair elections, must not be allowed to unilaterally modify such a crucial law without public consultation," Ramesh expressed on X, a social media platform.

Ramesh, a Rajya Sabha MP, further expressed concerns that the amendment, enacted on December 21 following recommendations from the ECI, eliminates "public access to critical information that enhances the transparency and accountability of the electoral process."

He emphasized, "The integrity of the electoral process is rapidly diminishing. We hope the Supreme Court will assist in restoring it."

This amendment was reportedly a response to a directive from the Punjab and Haryana High Court to release CCTV footage from an election booth.

Previously, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin vehemently criticized this amendment, deeming it an undemocratic attack on free and fair elections. In a post on X, CM Stalin noted that democracy is currently facing its most severe challenges under the BJP-led Union Government.

He voiced his discontent, stating, "Democracy is facing its gravest threat under the BJP-led Union Government, with the reckless amendment of Section 93(2)(a) of the Conduct of Election Rules aimed at undermining transparency in elections."

CM Stalin also pointed out that this move undermines a fundamental aspect of the Constitution—transparency. He urged all political parties, including those allied with the Union Government, to unite against what he described as an undemocratic attack on free and fair elections.