Mon Feb 03 15:33:20 UTC 2025: ## Supreme Court to Hear Challenge to Election Rule Changes Limiting Public Access to Records
**New Delhi, [Date]** – The Supreme Court of India will hear a challenge to recent amendments to election rules that critics argue restrict public access to crucial election-related documents. The court on Monday issued notices to the central government and the Election Commission of India (ECI) in response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by activist Anjali Bhardwaj, represented by advocate Prashant Bhushan.
The PIL challenges the Conduct of Elections (Second Amendment) Rules, 2024, specifically targeting amendments to Rule 93(2)(a) of the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961. The petitioners argue that the amendments violate Articles 14, 19, and 21 of the Constitution by limiting public access to election records, thus undermining transparency and potentially facilitating corrupt practices.
Before the amendment, Rule 93(2)(a) allowed public inspection of all election-related papers. The new rule, the petitioners contend, arbitrarily restricts access to only those documents explicitly mentioned, creating unnecessary opacity. This, they argue, contradicts the spirit of the Right to Information Act and infringes upon citizens’ fundamental rights to information and a free and fair election.
The Supreme Court has tagged this PIL with a similar pending plea filed by Congress leader Jairam Ramesh. Both cases will be heard together starting March 17. The court will consider whether the amendments are constitutional and whether they unduly restrict public access to vital information regarding the electoral process. The petitioners are seeking to have the amendments declared unconstitutional and void, and are requesting a structured process for timely access to election-related documents.
First Piper 