The Election Commission has officially answered to allegations of electoral manipulation made by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in the 2024 Maharashtra elections, stating that all polls are conducted strictly in accordance with laws passed by Parliament and established rules.
In an e-mailed letter sent to Gandhi on 12 June, the Commission addressed claims raised in his recent article published in a prominent national daily. It emphasised that the electoral process is conducted in a decentralised manner, involving thousands of officials across various stages of administration.
The Commission highlighted that polling in Maharashtra involved the participation of more than 1,00,186 Booth Level Officers (BLOs), 288 Electoral Registration Officers (EROs), 139 General Observers, 41 Police Observers, 71 Expenditure Observers, and 288 Returning Officers. These personnel, the EC noted, were appointed to ensure that the electoral process was carried out transparently and efficiently.
It also acknowledged the role of political parties in monitoring the elections, noting that 1,08,026 Booth Level Agents (BLAs) were deployed by recognised national and state parties in Maharashtra — including 28,421 by the Indian National Congress (INC).
"We assume that any complaint regarding the conduct of elections would already have been raised through election petitions filed before the appropriate court of law (High Court) by INC candidates," the Commission wrote to Gandhi, who is currently serving as the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha.
However, the poll body also expressed its openness to further dialogue. "If you still have any concerns, you are welcome to write to us. The Commission is also willing to meet you in person at a mutually convenient date and time to discuss all issues," it added.
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