MK Stalin slammed the BJP-led Centre for a reckless amendment to the Conduct of Election Rules, accusing it of aiming to “kill transparency.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Monday alleged that democracy was facing its gravest threat under the BJP-led Centre as it has made a reckless amendment to the Conduct of Election Rules to “kill transparency” and appealed to all political parties to counter the “assault on free and fair” elections.
Stalin, who is also the president of the ruling DMK, said that, following the order of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, the union government introduced this amendment to ensure that election documents, including CCTV footage, could not be seen by the public, thereby “destroying one of the basic features of the Constitution.”
In a post on ‘X,’ he said, “Democracy is facing its gravest threat under the BJP-led Union Government with the reckless amendment of Section 93(2)(a) of the Conduct of Election Rules to kill transparency in elections.” Furthermore, he said, “The BJP-led Union Government’s fear extends beyond Haryana, reflecting anxiety over Maharashtra, where their orchestrated and unholy victory in the recent assembly election has raised serious concerns.
It is shocking that the Election Commission of India, instead of fighting for institutional integrity, has willingly succumbed to the pressure of Prime Minister Modi’s Government and is happily involved in defacing its child – the free and fair election! I appeal to all political parties, including those participating in the Union Government, to come forward and counter this undemocratic assault on the free and fair elections of our Nation.”
