NEW DELHI: The Election Commission on Friday accused Mallikarjun Kharge of creating impediments in the conduct of free and fair elections as it rejected the Congress chief‘s allegations of mismanagement and delay in release of voter turnout data. The poll body said Kharge’s allegations are unwarranted, without facts and ‘reflective of a biased and deliberate attempt to spread confusion’.
EC said baseless allegations regarding release of voter turnout data in middle of ongoing polls are designed to create confusion, misdirection and impediments in conduct of free and fair polls.
The Commission refuted any delay in giving turnout data and points out that updated turnout data has been always higher than poll day and provided factual matrix from 2019 general election onwards.
Kharge had raised questions about the final voter turnout, alleging that it exceeded the initial estimates for the first day, citing similar instances from the 2019 elections.
In a letter to INDIA bloc leaders, Kharge highlighted the delay in the release of the final voting percentages for the initial phases of the Lok Sabha elections, suggesting that such delays cast doubts on the credibility of the data provided by the poll panel.
Kharge questioned the rationale behind EC’s delay in releasing the voter turnout data for the first two phases of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, which were made public 11 days after the first phase and 4 days after the second phase. Additionally, he sought clarification from the Commission regarding the reasons for the delay.
Kharge had called upon bloc leaders to collectively voice their concerns against discrepancies, stressing the significance of upholding democracy and ensuring the impartial functioning of the Election Commission. He expressed apprehensions about potential attempts to manipulate the final results, alleging that the ruling party, led by PM Modi and the BJP, might resort to extreme measures to maintain power.
EC said baseless allegations regarding release of voter turnout data in middle of ongoing polls are designed to create confusion, misdirection and impediments in conduct of free and fair polls.
The Commission refuted any delay in giving turnout data and points out that updated turnout data has been always higher than poll day and provided factual matrix from 2019 general election onwards.
Kharge had raised questions about the final voter turnout, alleging that it exceeded the initial estimates for the first day, citing similar instances from the 2019 elections.
In a letter to INDIA bloc leaders, Kharge highlighted the delay in the release of the final voting percentages for the initial phases of the Lok Sabha elections, suggesting that such delays cast doubts on the credibility of the data provided by the poll panel.
Kharge questioned the rationale behind EC’s delay in releasing the voter turnout data for the first two phases of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, which were made public 11 days after the first phase and 4 days after the second phase. Additionally, he sought clarification from the Commission regarding the reasons for the delay.
Kharge had called upon bloc leaders to collectively voice their concerns against discrepancies, stressing the significance of upholding democracy and ensuring the impartial functioning of the Election Commission. He expressed apprehensions about potential attempts to manipulate the final results, alleging that the ruling party, led by PM Modi and the BJP, might resort to extreme measures to maintain power.