The Union Government’s amendment to the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961, on Saturday, has sparked a heated debate, with political leaders voicing strong opposition. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge. (Vipin Kumar/ Hindustan Times) The amendment, introduced after recommendations from the Election Commission of India (ECI), restricts the public’s access to documents such as CCTV footage and other election materials unless specifically listed by the ECI. Congress and other opposition parties have expressed strong opposition, with some warning of legal challenges to the amendment. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge called the amendment “another assault in [the Modi government’s] systematic conspiracy to destroy the institutional integrity of the Election Commission of India”. He said, “Modi Govt’s calibrated erosion of ECI’s integrity is a frontal attack on the Constitution and Democracy and we will take every step to safeguard them.” Kharge also highlighted the government’s previous actions, such as removing the Chief Justice of India from the panel responsible for appointing Election Commissioners, as part of an allegedly coordinated assault on the integrity of the ECI. He accused the government …