Election Commission Refuses to Disclose Lavasa’s Dissent Note Citing Threat to Life, Physical Safety

The EC has refused to disclose under the RTI Act the dissent notes of its Commissioner Ashok Lavasa on decisions pertaining to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speeches which were alleged to have violated model code, saying it was exempted information which may "endanger the life or physical safety" of an individual.

The poll body was responding to Pune-based RTI activist Vihar Durve who had demanded Lavasa's dissent notes, pertaining to speeches given by Modi in rallies at Wardha on April 1, Latur on April 9, Patan and Barmer on April 21 and Varanasi on April 25.

The Election Commission (EC) cited Section 8(1)(g) of the RTI Act exempting the disclosure of information which would endanger the life or physical safety of any person or identify the source of information or assistance given in confidence for law enforcement or security purposes.