Oppn slams ECI for tweaking rule on poll videos

New Delhi: The Union government’s recent amendment restricting public access to electronic election materials, such as CCTV footage and webcasting at polling booths, strong rooms, and counting tables, has drawn sharp criticism from Opposition parties. Based on the Election Commission of India’s recommendation, the law ministry on Friday altered Rule 93 of the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961, limiting the types of “papers” or documents open for public inspection. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge termed the move another “frontal attack on the Constitution and democracy,” accusing the Modi government of a “systematic conspiracy” to undermine the ECI. “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. “Election Commission to avoid accountability ki chronology samajhiye: Section 93 of the Conduct of Election Rules said “all other papers relating to the election shall be open to public inspection with court permission - Advocate Mahmood Pracha had moved the Punjab and Haryana HC asking for EC to provide copies of required documents including CCTV footage and copies of Form 17C part 1 and 2 related to Haryana election - Punjab and Haryana HC directs EC to make all the documents and footage public.