New Delhi: The government has amended an election rule that will limit public access to electronic records such as CCTV footage, webcasting and video recordings from polling stations. The change has drawn sharp criticism from the Opposition, with Congress accusing the government of undermining the integrity of the electoral process.
The Union Law Ministry amended Rule 93(2)(a) of the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961, following the Election Commission’s (EC) recommendation. Previously, Rule 93 allowed public inspection of all election-related “papers.” The amendment now specifies that only “papers as specified in these rules” are open for public access, NDTV reported.
EC officials justified the change. They cited concerns about voter secrecy and the potential misuse of polling booth footage. They said that advanced artificial intelligence (AI) could generate fake narratives using such material. While documents like nomination forms, election results and account statements remain accessible, electronic records do not fall under the rule’s purview.
Change aimed at protecting voter privacy: EC
The amendment was reportedly triggered by a legal dispute. The Punjab and Haryana High Court had ordered the release of all election-related documents, including electronic footage, in connection with a case. EC officials said that the amendment eliminates ambiguity about electronic records, which were not explicitly covered under the original rules.
The EC said that candidates still retain access to all election-related records, including electronic footage, through legal channels. A former EC official said that CCTV and webcasting were introduced to enhance transparency and are not mandated under the Conduct of Election Rules.
Opposition to challenge amendment
Critics, including Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh, announced plans to challenge the amendment in court. The party argued that the changes restrict public scrutiny and erode electoral transparency. The EC countered that the amendment balances transparency with safeguarding voter secrecy and prevents the misuse of electronic data. While the Opposition remains unconvinced, officials said that the changes do not alter candidate access to election materials.
