Congress delegation meets EC, demands sealing of EVMs in 20 Haryana seats on complaints over voting process
Haryana gave the Congress a crushing defeat, but it was a very different story for the state that emerged last night. Taking strict action against the ruling party, the Election Commission of India (ECI) sealed electronic voting machines (EVMs) in 20 constituencies of Haryana following complaints of tampering of EVMs or misusing the voting process in various constituencies. A congressional delegation met with the key members of the ECI at its office in Delhi and put forth its grievances demanding action over the alleged irregularities in the electoral process. The growing discontent in the Congress party after the unanticipated election outcome, in which the BJP had swept the election, finds this step by the congressional delegation amidst all these ever-growing murmurs of discontent.
Complaints Over the Voting Counting Process
He said the Congress leadership told the Election Commission that voting in several constituencies has been seriously compromised due to both complaints of some sort of malfunction and alleged technical failure, as a result of which voting in those constituencies did not take place. The party leadership formally requested the sealing of voting machines in constituencies where irregularities were reported, Pawan Khera announced after a meeting with the Election Commission. “We have submitted documents detailing alleged discrepancies in 20 constituencies and will be sending further complaints within the next 48 hours,” Khera said. He further added that this data would be released to the media by Congress itself in due course of time.
Khera further stated that the party was collecting more data for 13 other constituencies too where complaints similar in nature have been raised. “We are expecting a response from the Commission regarding our demands and will continue to push for a fair investigation,” Khera affirmed.
The Response from the Election Commission
The Election Commission responded by sending a letter to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge stating that it had taken note of the party’s formal position on the election result. The letter had drawn attention to the statements by Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi that the election results were “unexpected” and that he was speaking in an “as of now” sense and had been hinting further at analysis of the polling process.
However, at the same time, the letter stated that, in case the words of Kharge were taken to be the official word of the party, the Commission agreed to meet the Congress delegation at 6 PM on the same day. This flexibility from ECI to address the grievances regarding an opposition party was swiftly reflected in acknowledgment.
Rahul Gandhi on the Election Results
He resorted to social media following the poll, assuring he was mortified and skeptical about the result. Rahul Gandhi thanked his people in Haryana for their support in a post, formerly known as Twitter, and praised the hard work of Congress party workers.
The statement by Gandhi contained a sharp criticism of the election process and showed a silver lining by hinting at possible faults in the Electronic Voting Machines used in the elections. “We are studying the unexpected result of Haryana and will inform the Election Commission of the grievances from various Assembly constituencies,” Gandhi said reinforcing the party’s intent to take the matter to the poll body.
He went on to reaffirm the Congress party commitment to core principles, promising to continue their fight for social and economic justice. “We will keep raising the voices of the people and continue this fight for rights and truth,” he concluded.
Congress’ Setback in Haryana Elections
The Haryana assembly polls dealt a shattering blow to the Congress party, which had placed its bet on the 10 years of anti-incumbency against the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party or BJP. In any case, the BJP romped home, winning a breathtaking 48 out of the 90 Assembly seats, effectively assuring its grip on the state.
It could win only 37 seats despite a tough fight. The outcome is in stark contrast to many of the exit polls that had earlier predicted the contest between the two main parties would be much closer than it turned out to be. Many questions than answers have now arisen within the organization about the strategy and the integrity of the voting process as the Congress party was unable to translate voter discontent into electoral success.
Allegations of Irregularities: The Nub of the Congress’ Grievance
The grouse voiced by the Congress party revolves primarily around allegations of the count process at various constituencies being irregular. According to Congress leaders, discrepancies in vote counting were adequate to influence results in at least 20 constituencies.
In their written complaint to the Election Commission, the Congress delegation described these malpractices and sought sealing of EVMs so that sanctity in results remains intact. The Congress party feels that there needs to be an exhaustive investigation into the count process before allowing people’s will to prevail over the election results.
As Congress continues to garner more information, its complaint will range from up to 33 constituencies, making the entire saga of the Haryana elections complex. The party is expecting the Election Commission to act with great speed and decisiveness.
Conclusion: Road Ahead
With the Congress party raising serious questions about the integrity of the voting process in Haryana, the Election Commission of India finds itself at the center of a high-stakes political controversy. The opposition’s demand for sealing of voting machines in 20 constituencies could only be the starting point for a broader review of election results.
Political temperatures remain elevated in the state as the Congress party waits on the response from the Election Commission. Victory by the BJP in hand, the shadow of electoral disputes may yet haunt their win. For Congress, it is a battle for something more fundamental to India’s democracy-the integrity of the process. Only time will tell how this political drama unfolds, but stakes are on overdrive for both sides.
Read more about related article, just click here
