The Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued a stern rebuttal to Mallikarjun Kharge over his recent letter. It accused the Congress president of making baseless allegations that could undermine the integrity of the electoral process.
Kharge’s letter, addressed INDIA allies, had raised concerns about discrepancies in voter turnout data and the timing of the release of data, insinuating potential foul play in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.
The ECI condemned the actions of Mallikarjun Kharge, highlighting that his public dissemination of what was internal political correspondence was unwarranted and could create confusion and disharmony among voters.
The commission particularly criticized Kharge’s question about whether there was an attempt to “doctor the final results”, stating that such remarks could lead to an anarchic situation and sow doubts in the minds of voters and political parties.
Addressing specific allegations levelled by Mallikarjun Kharge regarding voter turnout data and the release of electoral rolls, the ECI provided a detailed explanation, asserting that there was no delay in the dissemination of voter turnout figures. The commission clarified that updated turnout data has consistently been made available through the voter turnout app and shared with candidates’ agents on polling day itself.
Regarding the insinuation about the final voters’ list not being made public, the ECI reaffirmed its transparent process of electoral roll preparation, which involves participation from political parties and candidates at every stage.
The commission emphasised that such allegations could undermine the constitutionally mandated work of the ECI and urged stakeholders to refrain from making statements that could potentially disrupt the electoral process.
In his letter, Mallikarjun Kharge had expressed concerns about the credibility of the ECI and questioned the timing of data releases, suggesting possible issues with Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). The ECI’s response underscored the importance of maintaining trust in the electoral process and reiterated its commitment to conducting free and fair elections.
The exchange between Mallikarjun Kharge and the ECI reflects heightened tensions surrounding the ongoing Lok Sabha elections and underscores the need for responsible discourse to uphold the democratic principles of transparency and accountability in India’s electoral system.
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