NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court has issued a notice to the Centre and the election commission regarding a plea by Congress leader Jairam Ramesh, challenging amendments to the Conduct of Election Rules of 1961. The matter has been listed for hearing in the week commencing March 17.
Ramesh had filed a writ petition in the Supreme Court saying that the ECI should not be allowed to unilaterally amend such a crucial law without public consultation.
“The Election Commission, a Constitutional body, charged with the conduct of free and fair elections cannot be allowed to unilaterally, and without public consultation, amend such a vital law in such a brazen manner. This is especially true when that amendment does away with public access to essential information that makes the electoral process more transparent and accountable,” Ramesh said in a post on X.