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Will the changed rules of the Election Commission affect transparency? Understand every point

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New Delhi: On the recommendation of the Election Commission, the rules have been clarified regarding the electronic records sought by the Law Ministry in the form of documents. The amended rules say that common people will not be able to take the footage of CCTV cameras installed in polling booths and webcasting. The opposition, including the Congress, is strongly opposing these amendments.

Amidst the commotion in the matter, spoke to the Election Commission. An attempt was made to find out whether the new amended rules will have any effect on the transparency of elections? Can there be any possibility of malpractice due to this? Or any other kind of manipulation? In this entire matter, a senior official of the Election Commission clarified about the amended rules.

Question: Congress has strongly opposed the amended rules and has questioned the transparency of the amendment.
Answer: Election Commission official says that this is completely baseless. There will be no reduction in transparency in the new amended rules. We are not hiding anything from anyone nor are we trying to hide anything, through amendment, Rule 93 (2) (A) of the old rule Conduct of Election Rule, 1961 has been amended to make it clear and unambiguous that there is no mention of CCTV cameras and webcasting footage in seeking records.

For those who ask for this record, it should not be construed as giving the footage of CCTV cameras and webcasting installed inside the polling booths. The new amended rules make it clear that these electronic records will not be given to the general public. This includes footage from CCTV cameras, webcasting and videography.

Question: Where did the case start?
Answer:
 It started with the case of Advocate Mehmood Pracha, in which on his petition, the Punjab and Haryana High Court on December 9 ordered the Election Commission to give a copy of the videography, CCTV footage and documents related to votes of a polling booth during the Haryana Assembly elections to Advocate Pracha. Only after this, on the recommendation of the Election Commission, the Law Ministry made these changes in the rules. Officials say that in the old rules, electronic data was also being sought under 17 (C) by citing Rule 93 (2) (A). There is no clear mention of this in the old rules, because at that time there was no provision for CCTV cameras, webcasting and videography at polling stations.

Question: So will the candidate also not be able to get CCTV footage?
Answer:
 This is not so, if the candidate wants, he will still be able to get electronic records like CCTV cameras through the court as before. This restriction will be only on common people. But here it would be right to clarify that the candidate will also be able to get electronic data of only that assembly or Lok Sabha constituency from where he has contested the election. It is not that he will be able to get CCTV records of any electoral area. In this too, this electronic record will be available only to the candidate, not to his political party.

Question: What is the problem in providing electronic records?
Answer:
 The Commission official says that there are major problems on two fronts. First, the safety of voters and second, its misuse by mischievous elements through AI. The Commission said that if such CCTV footage records in Jammu and Kashmir, Manipur, Chhattisgarh and many other states including Naxal-affected states fall into wrong hands, it can pose a threat to the safety of voters. Secondly, it can be misused through AI. Especially during elections.

People can misuse this on social media by creating polling booths of different states through AI on the day of voting and can make fake news viral by giving wrong messages to voters as per their wish. If this is stopped, the voting will be over and the wrong people can succeed in their nefarious intentions. Electronic data can also be sold outside the country.

Crime

Suspicious passenger apprehended at Delhi Jama Masjid Metro Station after trying to flee during screening

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Alert personnel of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) apprehended a passenger at Delhi’s Jama Masjid Metro Station after he allegedly attempted to flee when a suspicious object was detected during his baggage screening.

According to the CISF, the incident came to light when the passenger’s baggage was being screened through an X-ray Baggage Inspection System (XBIS). During the examination, personnel noticed a dense and suspicious object on the scanner screen.

Sensing something unusual, the security personnel attempted to examine the matter further. However, the passenger allegedly tried to escape from the screening area, according to CISF.

Displaying promptness and alertness, CISF personnel immediately chased him and apprehended him near the station’s exit gate before he could leave the premises.

A subsequent examination of his belongings led to the recovery of an unidentified semi-solid substance concealed inside a stitched portion of his undergarment, the CISF said.

According to reports, the passenger reportedly claimed to be a non-resident Indian (NRI) residing in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Following the recovery, the CISF handed over the passenger, along with his belongings and the suspected substance, to the police for further investigation.

The nature of the semi-solid substance and the reason behind its concealment remain unclear. Police are investigating the matter to establish the identity of the substance and determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The CISF’s swift intervention prevented the passenger from leaving the station without further examination.

The force said its personnel remain alert during the screening of passengers and their baggage to ensure compliance with security protocols and prevent any potential threat to metro commuters. Further action in the case will depend on the findings of the investigation, said the police officials.

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Crime

Bihar MLC election: Three FIRs filed against Anant Singh, Jan Suraaj candidate Anuj Singh

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Amid campaigning for the biennial elections for eight MLC seats on October 23 in Bihar, police have registered three FIRs in connection with alleged violation of election rules during a roadshow in the Mokama Assembly constituency of Patna district.

The roadshow was held on Sunday. The cases have been registered against local MLA Anant Singh and Jan Suraaj candidate Anuj Singh, according to police sources.

Of the three cases, two were registered at Barh police station and one at Mokama police station in Patna district.

The police are investigating the alleged violations and examining the circumstances surrounding the roadshow.

According to police sources, the action followed complaints of violations of the Model Code of Conduct and other applicable regulations during the Member of Legislative Council (MLC) election-related event.

The allegations concern compliance with rules governing political roadshows and public campaigning.

However, the specific allegations against each leader and the legal sections invoked in the FIRs have not yet been independently confirmed.

The registration of the cases has triggered political discussions in the Mokama and Barh areas, where election-related activities have intensified.

During the MLC election period, candidates and political parties are required to comply with the Model Code of Conduct and applicable rules governing public meetings, roadshows, permissions and traffic management.

Authorities can initiate legal action when alleged violations are reported.

However, the filing of an FIR does not establish guilt. The allegations against Anant Singh and Anuj Singh will be subject to investigation and the due process of law.

Police said further action would be taken on the basis of the evidence collected and the findings of the investigation.

Additional details are awaited.

Anant Singh, the JD(U) MLA from Mokama in Patna district, has openly extended his support to Jan Suraaj candidate Anuj Singh and is campaigning against his own party’s official nominee, Neeraj Kumar, in the upcoming MLC election.

Anant Singh said his decision to support Anuj Singh stemmed from a personal dispute with Neeraj Kumar. He clarified that his move had nothing to do with his political relationship with the JD(U).

The election for eight Legislative Council seats is scheduled to be held on October 23, with counting of votes and announcement of results set for October 27.

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National News

‘Owaisi, BJP are twins’: Congress MP accuses AIMIM chief of splitting Oppn votes

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Congress MP Pramod Tiwari on Monday hit back at AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi over his recent remarks, accusing him of acting as an agent of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Tiwari claimed that election results demonstrated how Owaisi’s party had contributed to splitting minority votes, prompting him to describe the AIMIM chief and the BJP as “twin brothers”.

The exchange comes amid political preparations for the 2027 Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, with parties sharpening their positions and trading allegations ahead of the electoral contest.

Addressing a gathering in Uttar Pradesh’s Rampur, Owaisi had declared that he would “never make a Nehru, a Gandhi, or a Yadav” his leader. He also stressed the need to provide greater opportunities to young people from the Muslim community.

“Muslim youth have as much potential as people from other communities… However, they are not given a platform,” Owaisi had said, adding that the AIMIM would provide them with opportunities to move forward.

Responding to the AIMIM chief’s remarks, Congress MP Tiwari accused him of working to divide opposition votes in favour of the BJP.

Speaking to media, Tiwari said, “What standing does Owaisi have to even suggest someone like a Gandhi or a Nehru? His sole function, whether intentional or otherwise, is to divide the minority vote at the behest of the BJP. I can say with full confidence that this individual works for the BJP, as evidenced by election outcomes.”

Tiwari further cited electoral results in Maharashtra and Bihar to support his allegations, claiming that the AIMIM’s electoral performance had helped the BJP and its allies by splitting votes that could otherwise have benefited other candidates.

“In Maharashtra, while his party won four seats, it also caused other candidates to lose in 22 constituencies by splitting the vote, ultimately paving the way for a BJP-led government. He did something similar in Bihar … The results clearly show that he operates as an agent for the BJP. Owaisi and the BJP are twin brothers,” he added.

This comes as political parties begin gearing up for the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.

Tiwari also commented on the controversy surrounding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls being conducted by the Election Commission of India (ECI).

He argued that protecting citizens’ voting rights was essential and called for a change in government through the democratic process.

“The government in the country must be changed. The nation’s economic situation and foreign policy have both failed. The public wants relief from inflation and unemployment, and a change in government is essential to safeguard the right to vote. We want to change the government democratically through elections, and for that right to vote must be safeguarded,” Tiwari said.

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