The CPIML strongly condemns the Union government’s unilateral amendment to Rule 93(2)(a) of the Conduct of Election Rules, which effectively curtails public access to crucial election-related documents. This amendment represents a deliberate assault on the principles of electoral transparency and democratic accountability, raising serious concerns about the ruling dispensation’s intent to subvert democratic institutions.

This move comes just days after the Punjab and Haryana High Court, on December 9, directed the Election Commission to provide videography, security camera footage, and copies of documents related to votes polled at a polling station during the recent Haryana Assembly elections to advocate Mehmood Pracha. Rather than ensuring greater transparency considering such judicial directives, the government has chosen opacity, signaling its disregard for accountability.

This knee-jerk reaction by the government suggests that it is attempting to hide something at a time when concerns are being raised across the country about the conduct of elections and the conspiracy behind the push for a so-called One Nation, One Election (ONOE).

The CPIML also points out the troubling parallels between this amendment and the government’s previous actions to undermine transparency, such as the now-scrapped electoral bond scheme. This scheme legalized anonymous and opaque political funding, creating avenues for unaccountable money to influence elections while favouring the ruling party. The government is once again attempting to cloak critical aspects of the electoral process in secrecy, raising serious questions about its commitment to free and fair elections.

We call on the Election Commission of India (ECI) to uphold its constitutional responsibility to ensure public trust and transparency in the electoral process. Instead of enabling such regressive changes, the ECI must take proactive steps to ensure accountability and transparency.

The CPI(ML) demands the immediate repeal of this anti-democratic rule amendment and urges all democratic forces to unite in defense of transparency, accountability, and the people's right to scrutinise their electoral system.