Date: Dec 10, 2025
Context: Debate on the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Lok Sabha.

3 Questions Rahul Gandhi Posed to the Centre

1. CJI Removed from Selection Panel:
   Why was the Chief Justice of India removed from the panel selecting Election Commissioners? Why are PM Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah so keen on choosing specific ECs?
2. Immunity for Election Commissioners:
   Why was immunity granted to Election Commissioners in December 2023—something no previous PM has done?
3. CCTV Footage Rules:
   Why allow the destruction of election CCTV footage 45 days after polls? Why limit access to courts only, preventing broader scrutiny?

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4 Demands for Electoral Reforms

1. Provide machine-readable voter lists to all parties one month before elections.
2. Repeal the law allowing destruction of CCTV footage.
3. Grant access to EVM architecture for party experts.
4. Change law granting unlimited immunity to Election Commissioners.

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Background on Laws Cited:

• CEC & EC Immunity Act, 2023: ECs cannot face civil or criminal proceedings for official acts; CEC removal requires same grounds as Supreme Court judge; other ECs require CEC recommendation.
• EC Rules on CCTV: Footage can only be viewed by courts in election petitions to prevent voter intimidation and privacy breaches.

Rahul Gandhi emphasized these reforms to ensure free, fair, and transparent elections, warning that current laws could be used to “damage India’s democracy.”