Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi commended the Election Commission of India (ECI) for its participatory approach towards addressing the concerns raised by the INDIA bloc.
He expressed satisfaction with the ECI's responsiveness and willingness to listen to the delegation's concerns promptly, even on a Sunday. Singhvi particularly highlighted the ECI's decision to prioritise the counting of postal ballots, a crucial aspect of the democratic process.
In a statement, Singhvi emphasised the significance of counting postal ballots first, citing it as a fundamental aspect of electoral procedures. He lauded the ECI for its commitment to upholding democratic principles and ensuring transparency in the electoral process.
Singhvi underscored the importance of adhering to statutory rules and guidelines, urging the ECI to maintain consistency in its approach. Earlier, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar announced that the counting of postal ballots would commence before the counting of electronic voting machines (EVMs) at all centres.
This practice has been observed in previous elections, including the 2019 Lok Sabha elections and the 2022 Assembly elections in various states. The INDIA bloc, comprising leaders from different political parties, held discussions with the ECI to address various issues related to the counting process.
They urged the ECI to provide clear and detailed guidelines for the counting process on June 4, emphasising the need for transparency and adherence to electoral rules.
Singhvi reiterated the demand for counting postal ballots first, in accordance with the Conduct of Election Rules 1961. Additionally, the bloc called for measures such as CCTV-monitored safe movement of control units and verification of voting start/end times to ensure the integrity of the electoral process.
The Lok Sabha elections, conducted in seven phases from April 19, saw Prime Minister Narendra Modi leading the BJP campaign. With the counting of votes scheduled for June 4, stakeholders are focused on ensuring a fair and transparent electoral outcome.
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