Rapid Fire
Centre Amends Conduct of Election Rules, 1961
- 27 Dec 2024
- 2 min read
Recently, the Ministry of Law and Justice has amended Rule 93 of the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961, restricting public access to certain election-related documents.
- Recent Amendment:
- This amendment follows a recommendation by the Election Commission of India (ECI) and impacts Rule 93(2)(a), which earlier permitted public inspection of all election papers.
- The revised rule now limits access to specific documents listed within the framework.
- Background of The Amendment:
- It was initiated by a directive from the Punjab and Haryana High Court to ECI to share all election-related documents, including CCTV footage from Haryana Assembly elections.
- The ECI highlighted concerns over voter privacy and potential misuse of sensitive information.
- RTI Activists and opposition parties argue the amendment compromises transparency and accountability in the electoral process.
- Conduct of Election Rules, 1961:
- It provides a detailed framework for conducting elections in India, as per the Representation of the People Act, 1951.
- These rules cover candidate nominations, polling procedures, etc, ensure voter secrecy and electoral integrity, and define the duties of election officers.
Read More: Rule 49MA of the Conduct of Election Rules - Drishti IAS
