Central Govt's amendment of election rules amidst #COVID19 puts lakhs of people's lives at risk, raises serious concerns regarding a free &...

DMK president M.K. Stalin called upon the Election Commission of India to intervene immediately and rescind the Union government unilateral amendments to election conduct rules enacted during the coronavirus pandemic. Stalin warned that modifying statutory voting procedures without comprehensive multi-party consultation or parliamentary scrutiny jeopardizes the health safety of lakhs of citizens, while undermining the constitutional foundation of free, fair, and transparent democratic elections.

Stalin argued that hastily introducing postal ballot provisions and altering voting protocols during a public health crisis risks creating serious procedural ambiguities, electoral manipulation, and logistical vulnerabilities. Such unilateral modifications deprive opposition parties and diverse regional stakeholders of equitable campaign oversight and equal competitive opportunity. He pointed out that independent constitutional institutions must safeguard democratic integrity by resisting executive overreach that tilts the electoral playing field in favor of the ruling dispensation.

Stalin urged the Election Commission to exercise its autonomous constitutional authority to maintain public trust in democratic processes. He emphasized that any reform of voting procedures must be preceded by transparent consensus-building with all registered political parties, ensuring voter safety and administrative transparency across all states.