Dharmendra Pradhan slams Congress, Defends Election Rule Amendment

Bhubaneswar, December 22: Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan criticized the Congress leadership, calling them "frustrated" after repeated electoral rejections. Reacting to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge's condemnation of recent changes to the Conduct of Election Rules, Pradhan defended the move, emphasizing the importance of voter secrecy and election integrity.

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"The condition of Congress is very bad. They are going through a phase of disappointment. Their leadership is frustrated because they have been rejected by the people again and again," Pradhan told ANI. He accused the Congress of discrediting constitutional bodies, saying, "They win elections and find EVMs acceptable but cry foul when they lose."

Kharge had earlier accused the Modi government of undermining the Election Commission of India (ECI) through amendments that limit public access to certain poll documents, including CCTV footage. In a post on X, Kharge alleged, "This audacious amendment is part of a systematic conspiracy to destroy the institutional integrity of the ECI. Earlier, they removed the Chief Justice of India from the selection panel for Election Commissioners. Now, they are stonewalling crucial electoral information despite a High Court order."

The controversy stems from a Punjab and Haryana High Court directive in the Mahmoud Pracha vs. ECI case, which required the sharing of Haryana Assembly election documents under Rule 93(2) of the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961. The Centre amended the rule to restrict access to certain electronic documents, citing voter secrecy and potential misuse of polling station footage.

A senior ECI official clarified that candidates retain access to all relevant documents and papers. The official explained that the amendment addresses ambiguities surrounding electronic records and ensures voter safety, particularly in sensitive areas like Jammu and Kashmir or Naxal-affected regions. "Advances in AI make it easier to misuse CCTV footage, endangering voter privacy and safety," the official added.

Despite Congress's criticism, the government and ECI maintain that the changes were necessary to protect democratic processes.