NEW DELHI: The Election Commission of India on Friday hit back at allegations levelled by leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi , who claimed that the constitutional body was involved in large-scale electoral manipulation .
In a statement, the poll panel said, "Election Commission ignores such baseless allegations being made on a daily basis and despite threats being given daily, asks all election officials to ignore such irresponsible statements while working impartially and transparently."
Rahul Gandhi, speaking to reporters outside Parliament, had earlier accused the Election Commission of working at the behest of the BJP . "We have open and shut proof that the Election Commission is involved in vote theft. I am saying this with 100% proof," he said. The Congress leader further claimed that evidence gathered by his party over six months would expose what he described as an “atom bomb.” "As soon as we release it, the entire nation will come to know that Election Commission is working for the BJP to steal votes," he said.
Also read: 'Won’t spare anyone': Rahul Gandhi accuses EC of 'vote chori' for BJP; claims to have 'open and shut' proof
He cited suspicions during the Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Lok Sabha elections as the basis for the Congress’ internal probe. "Whosoever is doing this in the Election Commission, right from the top to bottom... we won't spare them because they are working against India. This is treason and nothing less than that," he added.
The row coincides with the publication of the draft electoral rolls in Bihar following the completion of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise ahead of the upcoming assembly polls. While a compiled figure of total registered voters has not been made public yet, the EC stated that 7.23 crore enumeration forms were received. Before the SIR exercise began in June, Bihar had 7.93 crore registered voters.
The EC also revealed that around 35 lakh voters had either permanently migrated or were untraceable, 22 lakh were reported deceased, and 7 lakh were found registered in more than one roll. About 1.2 lakh voters did not submit forms. The process of raising claims and objections will continue until September 1.
In a statement, the poll panel said, "Election Commission ignores such baseless allegations being made on a daily basis and despite threats being given daily, asks all election officials to ignore such irresponsible statements while working impartially and transparently."
Rahul Gandhi, speaking to reporters outside Parliament, had earlier accused the Election Commission of working at the behest of the BJP . "We have open and shut proof that the Election Commission is involved in vote theft. I am saying this with 100% proof," he said. The Congress leader further claimed that evidence gathered by his party over six months would expose what he described as an “atom bomb.” "As soon as we release it, the entire nation will come to know that Election Commission is working for the BJP to steal votes," he said.
Also read: 'Won’t spare anyone': Rahul Gandhi accuses EC of 'vote chori' for BJP; claims to have 'open and shut' proof
He cited suspicions during the Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Lok Sabha elections as the basis for the Congress’ internal probe. "Whosoever is doing this in the Election Commission, right from the top to bottom... we won't spare them because they are working against India. This is treason and nothing less than that," he added.
The row coincides with the publication of the draft electoral rolls in Bihar following the completion of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise ahead of the upcoming assembly polls. While a compiled figure of total registered voters has not been made public yet, the EC stated that 7.23 crore enumeration forms were received. Before the SIR exercise began in June, Bihar had 7.93 crore registered voters.
The EC also revealed that around 35 lakh voters had either permanently migrated or were untraceable, 22 lakh were reported deceased, and 7 lakh were found registered in more than one roll. About 1.2 lakh voters did not submit forms. The process of raising claims and objections will continue until September 1.
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