The Indian National Congress on Thursday filed a petition in the Supreme Court challenging recent amendments made to the Conduct of Election Rules. The central government introduced the amendments also which allegedly change key provisions of the rules governing the electoral process. Transparency, accountability, and democratic principles are under question because of these amendments.The Congress party has contested that the amendments dilute free and fair elections by the weakening of safeguards that guarantee electoral process integrity. Among major objections, there is objection regarding changes in rules to the effect of electronic voting machines (EVMs) and voter verifiability mechanisms. The party argues that this amendment lowers public confidence in the electoral process because of the possibility that these will dilute the effectiveness of the Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail and other safeguards envisioned to ensure accuracy in counting votes. The other key concern the Congress has raised is that such changes were introduced without consultation with the party. It has held that unilateral decisions on such matters of national importance have violated the tenets of cooperative federalism and the due process clause. The rules of elections, being crucial to the democratic framework, require detailed consideration by all stakeholders, including political parties and civil society, states the petition. The Congress has also expressed its apprehensions over the timing of the amendments, saying they are coming at a time when critical state and general elections are nearing. This, the party feels, raises questions over the intent behind the modifications and their impact on the level playing field in the electoral process. The Supreme Court has taken cognizance of the plea and is likely to hear the matter soon. Experts opine that it may become a landmark case concerning the role of judiciary concerning electoral reforms and democratic processes. The highest administrative responsibility of conducting the election is of the Election Commission of India, so surely, it should remain at the center, whose stand regarding this amendment is bound to decide the outcomes of the case. The challenge in the Supreme Court underlines the continuous debate on how electoral reforms can be balanced with preserving democratic ideals as the nation waits for the verdict of the Supreme Court.