DMK President M K Stalin had written to the Election Commission of India (ECI) seeking the scrapping of “The Conduct of Elections (Amendment) Rules, 2019” and “The Conduct of Elections (Amendment) Rules 2020,” which, he said, were illegal and were introduced behind the back of the stake holders
In a lengthy letter to the ECI, Stalin wanted a consultative process with all political parties and relevant stakeholders across the country to find the best solution that can ensure the safety of citizens without compromising their statutory right to cast their vote independently.
He said ‘this decision taken in the midst of the COVID19 pandemic continues to risk the lives of a large number of people, raises valid concerns regarding a free and fair electoral process and deprives all stakeholders of equal opportunities’.
Describing the amendments as an attempt to bring an ocean of voters under the purview of a newly carved out class of voters called “absentee voters,” Stalin said, ‘this exercise is done by the ECI without studying the ramifications of the move. The move will certainly destroy free and fair elections in the world’s largest democracy’.
