Poll rule tweaks raise questions

It has reignited debates about the Election Commission's autonomy amidst allegations of irregularities

The government's decision to modify election rules to prevent public inspection of electronic records, including CCTV and webcasting footage and video recordings of candidates, ostensibly to prevent their misuse, has been questioned by the Opposition Congress. The Congress warned it would mount a legal challenge against the new rules. Other Opposition parties also termed the move regressive.

The Ministry of Law and Justice, on the Election Commission of India's (ECI) recommendation, amended Rule 93 of the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961, to limit the type of "papers" or documents open to public scrutiny. EC officials defended the changes, arguing that misuse of CCTV footage from polling booths could compromise voter secrecy and fuel fake narratives using artificial intelligence.