New Delhi
On Sunday, the Election Commission (EC) requested factual information from Congress leader Jairam Ramesh regarding his claim that Home Minister Amit Shah had contacted 150 district magistrates and collectors ahead of the June 4 vote counting for the Lok Sabha polls.
In a letter to Ramesh, the EC asked him to provide details about his claim by 7 pm on Sunday. The commission referred to his June 1 post on X, where he alleged, the outgoing Home Minister has been calling up DMs/Collectors. So far, he has spoken to 150 of them. This is blatant and brazen intimidation, showing how desperate the BJP is.
The EC emphasized that the process of counting votes is a crucial duty assigned to returning officers, and such public statements could cast doubt, necessitating a response in the public interest. The EC also noted that during the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct, all officers are under its direct supervision and report to the commission.
The EC stated that no district magistrate had reported any undue influence as alleged. They requested Ramesh to provide details of the 150 district magistrates who were allegedly called by the Home Minister, along with the basis of his information, by 7 pm on June 2, 2024, to facilitate appropriate action.
The EC’s letter concluded by noting that, as a senior leader of a national party, Ramesh must have made his statement based on facts or credible information.
