Election Commission Responds to Rahul Gandhi's Allegations of Fraud in Maharashtra Elections

Election Commission's Stance on Allegations

Following Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's claims of electoral fraud in Maharashtra, the Election Commission (EC) has stated that it will only respond formally once Gandhi communicates as the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha. Sources indicate that the EC had reached out to all six national parties for separate meetings in May as part of its post-election activities. While five parties attended their scheduled discussions, Congress canceled its meeting on May 15.

Gandhi's Criticism of the Election Body

On Saturday, Gandhi intensified his criticism of the election body, accusing it of evading serious allegations. In an article, he claimed there was 'match-fixing' in the Maharashtra elections and warned that similar fraud could occur in Bihar and other regions where the BJP faced defeat. In response, EC sources clarified that requesting CCTV footage from polling stations in Maharashtra was inappropriate. According to EC protocols, such footage is preserved and can be reviewed by a competent high court when an election petition is filed.

Concerns Over Voter Privacy

A senior official emphasized that the measures are in place to protect both the integrity of the electoral process and voter confidentiality. The official questioned why Rahul Gandhi would want to violate voter privacy, which the EC is obligated to safeguard under electoral laws. Additionally, sources noted that Gandhi's allegations of tampering with voter lists indirectly cast doubt on Congress's appointed counting agents at the booth and constituency levels. The official suggested that instead of making public accusations, Gandhi should rely on legal remedies available through the courts and electoral laws.