Amendment to poll rules will kill transparency, pose gravest threat to democracy: CM Stalin

CHENNAI: Expressing serious concern over the amendment moved by the BJP regime to the election conduct rules, Chief Minister MK Stalin on Monday said the amendment was an "undemocratic assault on free and fair elections", and democracy was facing the gravest threat under the BJP-led union government.

"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, that will kill the transparency in elections," Stalin said, reposting media reports suggesting an amendment to the election conduct rules. "The Union Government has brought the amendment to prevent public inspection of election documents including CCTV footage," he added.

Consequent to the direction of the Punjab and Haryana High Court to furnish the CCTV footage of an election booth, Stalin said the amendment destroyed one of the basic features of the Constitution. Casting doubts over the victory of the BJP in the recent Maharashtra Assembly polls, Stalin, in a message posted on his 'X' page, 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."

Criticising the Election Commission of India's response to the amendment, Stalin said, "It was 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 happily involved in defacing its own child — free and fair election!"

The DMK president also appealed to all political parties, including those part of the Modi government, to come forward and counter the undemocratic assault on the free and fair elections.