The Centre is reportedly considering notifying the rules for the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) before the implementation of the Model Code of Conduct for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, according to sources. Union Home Minister Amit Shah emphasized that the CAA would be notified before the elections, reiterating that the act is designed to provide citizenship to individuals facing persecution in Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh, and not to revoke anyone’s citizenship.
Amit Shah addressed concerns about misinformation, stating that the CAA aims to fulfill a promise made by the Congress government to grant Indian citizenship to refugees persecuted in the mentioned countries. The Centre’s move to notify the rules before the election season aligns with its commitment to implementing the CAA.
The Election Commission of India is expected to enforce the Model Code of Conduct in March, making the timing crucial for the notification. The regulations are prepared, and a digital portal for the streamlined process is already operational. Applicants will need to declare their entry into India without travel documents, and the procedure is designed to be carried out digitally, requiring minimal additional documentation.
