ECI Refutes Allegations, Calls Claims on Maharashtra Polls Baseless and Misleading

Jammu : The Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued a strong rebuttal to allegations raised by the Indian National Congress (INC) regarding alleged irregularities in the recently held Maharashtra Assembly Elections. In a fact-based statement, the Commission rejected the claims as baseless and misleading, emphasizing that the entire electoral process was conducted transparently and in accordance with the law. The Commission clarified that over 6.40 crore electors exercised their franchise across Maharashtra on polling day, with voting taking place between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. Based on the average voting trend, approximately 58 lakh votes were cast every hour. Statistically, this implies that nearly 1.16 crore voters could have voted in the final two hours of polling. However, the actual number was only around 65 lakh votes—well below the average hourly rate—disproving any notion of abnormal or inflated voting figures during the closing hours. The ECI also pointed out that polling was carried out in full view of polling agents formally appointed by political parties and contesting candidates. At no point during the post-poll scrutiny process did the INC or its authorized representatives submit any substantiated complaints to the Returning Officers or Election Observers. The absence of objections at such a critical juncture, the Commission noted, speaks volumes about the credibility of the voting process.
Addressing concerns related to the integrity of the Electoral Rolls, the Commission underscored that the rolls were prepared in full compliance with the Representation of the People Act, 1950, and the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960. As part of the standard election process, Special Summary Revisions were conducted prior to the elections, and final copies of the voter lists were shared with all recognized political parties, including the Congress. Importantly, after the finalization of the Electoral Rolls, there were only 89 appeals filed before the District Magistrates and a single appeal before the Chief Electoral Officer—despite a total electorate of nearly 9.78 crore. This minimal number of objections strongly indicates widespread acceptance of the rolls, including from the Congress and other opposition parties. Further strengthening its case, the ECI highlighted the role of Booth Level Officers (BLOs) and Booth Level Agents (BLAs) during the roll revision process. Out of more than 1.03 lakh BLAs appointed by various political parties, the Congress alone appointed 27,099 agents. These agents were given the responsibility to examine and verify the rolls, making any post-poll claims of inaccuracies unconvincing and contrary to their own earlier participation. The Commission reminded that it had already issued a comprehensive reply to the Congress on December 24, 2024, addressing all concerns in detail. This response remains publicly available on the ECI’s official website. Raising the same issues again while ignoring these clarifications, the Commission stated, appears to be a deliberate attempt to create confusion and mistrust. Concluding its statement, the ECI reaffirmed that Indian elections are conducted strictly within the bounds of law, with government staff and party-appointed representatives present at every stage—from polling to counting. It warned that spreading misinformation not only undermines public trust in democratic institutions but also disrespects the lakhs of officials who work tirelessly to ensure free, fair, and transparent elections. The Commission strongly condemned the trend of discrediting constitutional institutions following electoral losses, calling it absurd and deeply harmful to the democratic fabric of the nation.