EC slams Congress, says Haryana poll fraud claims 'unfounded & frivolous'

SAYS CONG RAISING SMOKE OF GENERIC DOUBT POLL AFTER POLL

NEW DELHI: The Election Commission on Tuesday dismissed allegations made by the Congress regarding irregularities in the Haryana Assembly elections held on October 5.

The commission accused Congress of attempting to cast "a smoke of a generic doubt" over the entire electoral process, likening it to similar allegations the party has raised in recent years. The EC's response was delivered in an eight-page letter addressed to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, describing the concerns as "frivolous and unfounded."

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) retained power in Haryana by winning 48 of the 90 Assembly seats. Congress won 37 seats, the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) secured two seats, and Independents took the remaining three. However, Congress had alleged "irregularities" during the counting process, citing instances where the control units of electronic voting machines (EVMs) showed a 99 per cent battery status, leading to concerns about possible tampering.

Congress argued that such readings could indicate that the control units had been replaced or interfered with.

In response, the Election Commission firmly dismissed these allegations. The letter highlighted: "Embedded in this concern was the apprehension of replacement of control unit itself," adding that such claims are "least expected of a national political party."