‘Baseless’: EC rejects Congress’s claims over irregularities in Haryana election

The Election Commission of India (ECI) rejected the Congress’ allegations about any irregularities in Haryana elections as baseless and devoid of facts. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) defeated the Congress for historic third time in the Haryana elections held earlier this year.
The Election Commission wrote to the Congress, asking the grand-old-party to refrain from baseless allegations election after election. It called out the party for raising smoke of ‘generic’ doubts.
The Election Commission also urged Rahul Gandhi’s national party to take firm and concrete steps to curb such a tendency. It said irresponsible allegations at sensitive junctures like polling and counting days may lead to public unrest and chaos.
The poll body further cited five specific cases in last one year and asked the national party to exercise due diligence and refrain from habitual attacks on electoral operations, without any evidence.
In its letter, the Election Commission referred to its meeting with a Congress delegation on October 9. The party had sought “clarification on perceived lack of clarity on display of 99% battery status on the CU of EVMs, during counting in some Polling Stations of 26 Constituencies.”
The commission informed that Haryana Chief Election Officer (CEO) studied responses of each Returning Officer (RO) and stated in its report, “The returning officers have not found any evidence of any wrongdoing in any electoral processes. The replies reflect continuous participation of INC candidates, representatives and their agents in various processes of election, including EVM processes.”
Following the Congress queries, the Election Commission said it has modified its FAQ to include details of EVM batteries and power pack.
The Commission dismissed the Congress’ allegations saying, “In view of the foregoing, the Commission categorically rejects all baseless allegations and apprehensions conveyed by INC regarding all aspects of the electoral process in the recently concluded election to the state assembly of Haryana.”
It said the Congress “has once again raised the smoke of a “generic” doubt about the credibility of an entire electoral outcome…This is least expected of a national political party.”
“The Commission sincerely urges INC to take firm and concrete steps, matching with the party’s long and illustrious standing, to amend their afore stated approach and in doing so set an example for emulation by one and all to responsibly conduct themselves at sensitive electoral stages so as to avoid possibilities of precipitation of public unrest and chaos,” the letter stated.