Oppn sees ‘conspiracy’ in Modi govt’s move to restrict public access to CCTV poll footage
New Delhi: The Centre’s amendment of the Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961 to restrict public inspection of CCTV footage of an election has caused an uproar, with the opposition Congress calling it “another assault” on the Election Commission of India’s integrity.
The amendment was passed in a bid to undo a Punjab and Haryana High Court order which directed the ECI to provide CCTV footage and other documents related to the 2024 Haryana elections to advocate Mehmood Pracha. In a judgment passed 9 December, the high court had directed these documents to be provided within 6 weeks of Pracha submitting an application and depositing the requisite charges.
A notification was then issued by the Ministry of Law and Justice on Friday, amending Rule 93(2)(a) of the Conduct of Elections Rules. The not...