In a charged debate in the Lok Sabha over the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday confronted the government with three pointed questions and four major demands on electoral reforms, alleging that recent legal changes undermine Indian democracy.
Holding up the EC’s directive on CCTV footage access, Gandhi said the issue was “not about data” but about the possibility of “stealing elections.”
Rahul Gandhi’s Three Questions to the Government
1. Why was the Chief Justice of India removed from the EC selection panel?
Gandhi questioned the Centre’s decision to exclude the CJI from the committee that appoints election commissioners, asking why the Prime Minister and Home Minister were “so keen on deciding who the EC will be.”
He added that, despite being a member of the panel as LoP, he had “no voice” because the majority lay with the ruling side.
2. Why grant immunity to election commissioners?
Referring to the 2023 law that shields the CEC and ECs from legal action for decisions taken in office, Gandhi asked why the government had offered such “unprecedented protection” that no previous PM had ever given.
3. Why allow the destruction of CCTV election footage after 45 days?
Gandhi accused the government of diluting safeguards by enabling the EC to destroy CCTV recordings soon after polls. He argued that limiting access was not about privacy but “a question of stealing elections.”
Rahul Gandhi’s Four Demands for Electoral Reforms
Gandhi called on the government to implement the following reforms:
- Provide machine-readable voter lists to all political parties at least one month before elections.
- Rollback the law allowing CCTV footage destruction, ensuring transparency.
- Reveal EVM architecture and allow independent experts to examine the machines.
- Remove immunity granted to the CEC and ECs, making them accountable.
He assured the election commissioners that the Opposition intends to have these laws changed. “And then, we will come and find you,” he said.
Election Commission’s Clarifications
Earlier, the EC tightened access to polling-day video recordings, stating that footage would be accessible only to the High Court hearing an election petition, citing concerns of voter intimidation and privacy violations.
Under updated rules, footage from CCTVs, webcasts, and videographers cannot be shared or viewed by political parties or individuals except under court orders.
Legal Protection Under the 2023 EC Law
The CEC and ECs enjoy strong immunity for decisions taken while in office, similar to protections given to Supreme Court judges. Their removal also follows stringent judicial standards, making accountability mechanisms limited under current law.
Originally published on 24×7-news.com.
