Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal recently voiced strong dissatisfaction with the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) response to allegations of irregularities in the Haryana elections, declaring that the ECI's findings and comments are “not acceptable.”
This reaction from Congress comes in response to the ECI’s dismissal of the party's complaints about alleged election issues. Venugopal hinted that the party may explore legal avenues to address its grievances, stating that the Congress is considering “legal options” to contest the findings.
The controversy started when Congress raised concerns about election irregularities in 20 Haryana constituencies, which they detailed in a formal complaint. However, the ECI’s reply, submitted on October 29, dismissed these concerns as “baseless, misplaced, and devoid of facts.”
Dissatisfied with this response, Congress submitted a counter-response on November 1, labelling the ECI’s initial reply as “generic” and accusing the Commission of disregarding the gravity of their complaints.
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh further amplified the party’s stance by sharing this counter-response on social media. In a statement, Ramesh criticised the ECI for what he described as a “non-reply” that failed to address specific complaints in the constituencies identified by Congress.
The party's statement expressed frustration with the ECI’s self-exoneration, arguing that the tone, language, and accusations in the ECI’s response compelled them to continue pushing back.
The counter-response from Congress also highlighted specific concerns with the ECI’s statements. According to the party, the ECI’s explanation of the election process and timeline seemed to disregard the urgency and relevance of their grievances.
Congress pointed out that many issues arise rapidly after the announcement of the Model Code of Conduct and can only be fully understood after comparing data from multiple polling stations once results are declared.
The party emphasised that when such concerns are not addressed promptly, they often become irrelevant, leaving them with the lengthy option of filing an Election Petition.
Congress also criticised the ECI’s approach to investigating election grievances, remarking that the ECI has the resources to assess the accuracy of information and often validates their complaints.
However, the party refrains from publicising or criticising the Commission’s actions after elections conclude. In its latest reply, Congress underscored that they approach the ECI with all available information, expecting a thorough investigation rather than a quick dismissal.
The exchange reflects ongoing friction between Congress and the ECI. Congress alleges that there is a “pattern” in how the ECI responds to complaints, referring to a specific section of the Commission’s response as “disingenuous.”
The party argues that the ECI’s rebuttal shows a reluctance to investigate election concerns and presents an overly simplistic view of the complex issues raised.
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