New Delhi: The government has amended an election rule to restrict public access to certain electronic records, including CCTV footage, webcasting, and video recordings of candidates, in a bid to prevent misuse. The move, which has sparked backlash from the Opposition, aims to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process, media reports say.
The Election Commission (EC) has defended the decision, arguing that public access to polling booth CCTV footage could compromise voter secrecy and facilitate the creation of fake narratives using artificial intelligence (AI).
On Friday, the Union Law Ministry amended Rule 93(2)(a) of the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961, following a recommendation by the EC. The revision limits public access to “papers” explicitly mentioned in the rules, narrowing the scope of what can be inspected. Previously, Rule 93 allowed public access to all election-related documents, including electronic records.
While nomination forms, election agent appointments, results, and account statements remain accessible, CCTV footage and webcasting data are no longer part of the publicly inspectable records, as they are not defined as “papers” in the rules.
An EC official explained that CCTV and webcasting were introduced as measures to ensure fair elections but are not mandated by the Conduct of Election Rules. Access to these records will now be restricted, though candidates can still access them and seek court intervention if necessary.
The amendment follows a case in which the Punjab and Haryana High Court ordered the EC to release documents related to the Haryana Assembly elections, including CCTV footage. The EC argued that the rules only cover election papers and that the amendment clarifies this ambiguity.
Opposition leaders, including Congress’ Jairam Ramesh, have condemned the amendment, accusing the government of undermining electoral transparency. Ramesh vowed that the Congress would challenge the move in court, emphasizing that access to information is vital for restoring public trust in the electoral process.
