Election Commission: Was ready to meet 240 oppn MPs but not at their chosen venue
The Election Commission of India declined a request from 240 opposition MPs to meet at the Parliament House annexe, citing established protocols that require such meetings to occur on EC premises. The commission offered to send a senior officer to receive the memorandum, but the offer was rejected by the MPs.
Why it matters
This highlights ongoing tensions between India's constitutional bodies and the political opposition regarding procedural norms and democratic accountability.
NEW DELHI: Election Commission on Tuesday, while willing to meet the 240 opposition party MPs at their request conveyed through Delhi Police, declined to do so at their suggested venue of Parliament House annexe, saying the poll panel's protocol required such meetings to be held only on EC premises and based on a request from the parties' authorised representative."EC considered this request as unusual and therefore, it could not be accepted," the panel said in a statement.As an alternative, EC proposed that its most senior officer on duty could be sent to the meeting venue to receive a memorandum, "which in itself would have been an unprecedented step", said an EC spokesperson.
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