Attempts to discredit the ECI even by the judiciary should be avoided: Kiren Rijiju

Jan. 25: “Elements who are trying to discredit the Election Commission of India (ECI) are actually trying to discredit the democracy of India. The court can criticise the Election Commission but the judges should also think about the language being used to criticise,” said Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju on Tuesday during his address on the National Voters’ Day.

“Those elements which try to discredit the ECI actually try to discredit the democratic process of our country,” Mr. Rijiju said. In a democracy, it’s fine if someone criticises the ECI. There is a right to criticise, but there are limits to the language. If court says something, the judges must think about the language used. They should understand the situation the ECI works under,” Mr. Rijiju said, adding that it was “easy to pass comments”.

 Rijiju was the guest of honour at the event in New Delhi organised by the Election Commission of India. The theme for this year’s National Voters’ Day is ‘Making Elections Inclusive, Accessible and Participative’. To mark the occasion, the National Awards for the Best Electoral Practises for the year 2021-22 were conferred on the state and district-level officers for their performance in the conduct of elections.