India's Election Commission (ECI) has sent an invitation to Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi, giving a chance to hold a formal conversation about his recent allegations and grievances regarding the election process.
Through a June 12 letter, the Commission communicated that Gandhi was welcome to submit his grievances in writing or hold a personal meeting at a time convenient to both parties.
This outreach comes in the wake of Gandhi’s persistent criticism of the poll panel, particularly in relation to the alleged delay in releasing booth-level CCTV footage and what he termed “abnormal” additions to Maharashtra’s electoral rolls ahead of the 2024 state assembly elections.
Gandhi repeated his accusations just this week in an X post, alleging "vote theft" in Maharashtra and demanding an instant release of machine-readable digital electoral rolls and CCTV footage of polling booths.
The Election Commission has, however, flatly denied the allegations and has issued a few clarifications in the past. It cited a previous communication to the Congress Party dated December 24, 2024, in which similar issues were discussed.
In its recent letter to Gandhi, the ECI stuck to the point that elections are run "strictly according to electoral laws enacted by Parliament, rules made thereunder, and directions given by the Commission from time to time."
The Commission further added that India's electoral system is running in a very decentralized form, with multiple layers of checks and balances at the constituency level.
In the case of Maharashtra itself, the EC pointed to the size and organization of election administration for 2024 assembly elections:
- 1,00,186 Booth Level Officers (BLOs)
- 288 Electoral Registration Officers (EROs)
- 288 Returning Officers (ROs)
- 139 General Observers
- 41 Police Observers
- 71 Expenditure Observers
In addition, 1,08,026 Booth Level Agents were appointed by identified national and state parties, including 28,421 from the Indian National Congress.
Reiterating its willingness to engage in conversation, the Commission further stated, "But if you still have any problems, you are free to write to us. The Commission is also ready to receive you in person at a convenient date and time to clarify all issues."
This is the Commission's latest gesture in an effort to exercise openness and constructive communication under increased political scrutiny.
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