New Delhi
Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar on Monday challenged the opposition to present evidence that returning officers and district magistrates were influenced to compromise the election process. Kumar urged the opposition to inform the Commission of any attempts to sway the poll process before vote counting begins. He was accompanied by Election Commissioners Gyanesh Kumar and S. S. Sandhu at a press conference.
You cannot spread a rumour and bring everyone under a cloud of suspicion, Kumar asserted. He added that while the Commission had prepared for any foreign interference, the allegations were domestic, hinting at the opposition.
Kumar took exception to claims that district magistrates were being influenced. He said, Those making allegations should specify which DM was influenced, and we will take action. They should inform us before the counting process begins.
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh had alleged that Home Minister Amit Shah was calling district magistrates and collectors, engaging in blatant and brazen intimidation. Ramesh claimed that Shah had already contacted 150 district magistrates or collectors.
Kumar stated that the Election Commission had accepted all demands made by a multi-party delegation that met the panel, noting that the issues raised were part of the electoral process for decades. He emphasized that all returning officers (ROs) and assistant returning officers (AROs) had been instructed to follow election manuals strictly.
