New Delhi: The Election Commission of India issued a strongly worded rebuke to Mallikarjun Kharge, the president of the Congress party, on Friday. The ECI criticized Kharge’s remarks about the release of voter turnout data, calling them inaccurate and biased. Commission said that the statements were deliberately intended to sow confusion, misguide, and create obstacles to the smooth conduct of impartial elections.
ECI stated that it finds a ‘pattern’ in a series of past and present irresponsible statements from INC and calls it ‘disconcerting”. The commission said, with all facts in place, the Congress President is attempting to push a biased narrative.
It said that the ECI was determined “to act against developments which have a direct impact on the delivery of its core mandate.” The commission takes cognizance of Kharge’s letter addressed to leaders of INDI alliance on voter turnout data, and finds it highly undesirable. The commission categorically rejected Kharge’s contentions, calling them insinuations and innuendos.
The ECI asserted that no lapse or deviation in the collection and dissemination of voter turnout data; pilots all past and present procedures and practices; and provided point-by-point counters to reject Kharge’s contentions.
The commission also refuted any delay in giving turnout data and pointed out that updated Turnout data has been always higher than the poll day. The commission provided a factual matrix from the 2019 general election onwards.
ECI especially condemned with contempt Kharge’s statement, “Could this be an attempt to doctor the final results”, and said, it can create an anarchic situation, besides doubts and disharmony
On May 7, Mallikarjun Kharge wrote to the leaders of the INDIA bloc over the alleged discrepancies in the voting data released by the Election Commission (EC).
In his letter, Kharge urged the INDIA bloc leaders to raise their voices against voting data discrepancies, for “our only objective is to protect the culture of a vibrant democracy and the Constitution”. The Congress president alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party are ‘visibly flustered’ and ‘frustrated’ by the voting trends and their receding electoral fortunes in the first two phases.
“In this context, I would urge all of you that we must collectively, unitedly and unequivocally raise our voice against such discrepancies, for our only objective is to protect the culture of a vibrant democracy and the Constitution. Let us ensure the independence of the Election Commission of India and make it accountable. Let us ensure the independence of the Election Commission of India and make it accountable.,” the letter read.
