New Delhi, 21 December
The central government, while changing the election rules, has stopped public scrutiny of some electronic documents like CCTV camera, webcasting footage and video recording of candidates to prevent their misuse. Based on the recommendation of the Election Commission, the Union Law Ministry has amended Rule 93(2)(a) of the Election Procedures Rules, 1961 to prohibit papers or documents held for public scrutiny. Officials of the Law Ministry and the Election Commission have separately said that the reason for the amendment is a court case. Election Commission officials said that misuse of CCTV camera footage inside polling stations could affect voter’s rights. He said that a fake narrative can also be created by using the footage through AI technology. Another official said that despite the amendment in the rules, footage and other materials will remain available to the candidates. It may be mentioned that the Punjab and Haryana High Court had directed to provide videography, CCTV footage and copies of Form 17-C to petitioner lawyer Mahmood Pracha in a case related to Haryana Assembly elections. -News-Patiala
Will challenge the amendment decision legally: Congress
New Delhi: Congress attacked the Election Commission for amending the election rules and said why it is afraid of transparency. Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh said that the amendment will be legally challenged by the party. He said that the Punjab and Haryana High Court had directed the Election Commission to provide the documents. Jairam Ramesh said that the rules have been amended to avoid the directives of the High Court. -News-Patiala
