Mallikarjun Kharge On ECI Letter: Following the recent statement of Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge challenging the fairness of the voting process, he wrote a letter to the Election Commission. In it he said that it was surprising how the Commission responded to his “open letter” while ignoring other complaints.
The Congress president said, “Even though it is an open letter, it is clearly addressed to our alliance partners and not to the Commission. It is surprising that the Election Commission of India wanted to respond to this letter while directly ignoring many other complaints. I have some reservations about the language of the letter, but I will not press on that issue because I understand the pressure under which they are working.”
‘Election Commission’s attitude is surprising’
In his reply, Kharge questioned the Election Commission, saying that on one hand, it talks about respecting the right of citizens to ask questions and on the other, it is issuing threats in the form of advising citizens to exercise caution.
He said, “I am happy that the Commission understands that under the Constitution it has the right to conduct smooth, free and fair elections. However, the lack of promptness shown by the Commission in taking action against the blatant communal and casteist statements made by the leaders of the ruling party, which are distorting the electoral process, seems surprising.”
‘Those interested in elections would also like to see the voting numbers’
He further said, “I am also surprised by the need to write that ‘The Commission is not legally bound to publish any voter turnout data at the overall level of a constituency or the state, although it is factual. I am sure. That many voters of our country will also be surprised.” Kharge said voters who are interested in the elections would like to see the voting numbers and would like it to be made public.
