In a significant political development, the Indian National Congress has announced it will formally present a comprehensive document containing its suggestions for electoral reforms to the Election Commission of India (EC). This move comes as a direct response to recent statements made by Union Home Minister Amit Shah regarding the party's stance on the matter.
Congress Counters Amit Shah's Allegations
The announcement was made by senior Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP, Jairam Ramesh, during a press conference held on 19 December 2025. Ramesh strongly condemned the statement made by Home Minister Amit Shah, who had claimed that while the Election Commission consistently seeks suggestions for electoral reforms, the Congress party has failed to provide any.
"Amit Shah said the EC keeps asking for suggestions on electoral reforms but the Congress did not give suggestions. This is what he said. I want to condemn this statement," Ramesh stated unequivocally at the press briefing. The Congress leader's remarks highlight the escalating war of words between the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the principal opposition party over a critical democratic process.
Document Compiling Poll Reform Suggestions
The core of the Congress's counter-action is the preparation of a detailed document that compiles all its proposals for improving the electoral system in India. While the specific contents of the document were not disclosed in detail during the press conference, the act of formally submitting it to the Election Commission is aimed at publicly refuting the Home Minister's accusation of inaction.
This document is expected to encompass the party's long-standing views and recommendations on various aspects of the electoral machinery, which may include issues related to:
- Transparency in political funding.
- Use of technology and Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).
- Regulation of campaign expenditure.
- Measures to ensure a level playing field for all political parties.
By formalizing its suggestions, the Congress seeks to position itself as an active participant in the discourse on strengthening India's democratic framework.
Implications and Political Context
This development is set against the backdrop of ongoing debates about the integrity and modernization of India's electoral processes. The Election Commission, as a constitutional body, periodically consults with political parties to refine the model code of conduct and other regulations.
The public nature of this exchange between Amit Shah and Jairam Ramesh underscores the deep political divisions on how elections should be conducted. The Congress's decision to publicly announce the submission of its document transforms what is often a behind-the-scenes consultative process into a tool for political messaging and accountability.
The press conference, held on 19 December 2025, and the subsequent plan to submit the document, mark a clear effort by the Congress to challenge the narrative that it is not contributing constructively to the debate on electoral reforms. It reinforces the party's attempt to assert its role as a responsible opposition engaged in the nation's governance issues.
As the document makes its way to the Election Commission, all eyes will be on the EC's response and whether these suggestions will be taken up for serious consideration in future policy deliberations. This move is likely to keep the issue of electoral reforms in the public and political spotlight in the coming days.
