'Conduct As Per Law, Decentralised': Election Commission Responds To Rahul Gandhi On Maharashtra Poll Rigging Claims

The Election Commission (EC) has formally addressed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's allegations of rigging in the 2024 Maharashtra polls. The poll body wrote to Gandhi, stating that it conducts all polls strictly as per laws Parliament passes and rules, reported The New Indian Express.

The EC emphasised the entire poll exercise involves thousands of personnel, including political parties' booth-level agents.

In a 12 June letter, the EC responded to Gandhi's article in a leading daily. The Commission explained that the election process occurs decentralised at the assembly constituency level.

This involves over 1,00,186 Booth Level Officers (BLOs), 288 Electoral Registration Officers (EROs), 139 General Observers, 41 Police Observers, 71 Expenditure Observers, and 288 Returning Officers (ROs) whom the Commission appoints.

Additionally, National and State Political Parties, including Congress, appoint 1,08,026 Booth Level Agents (BLAs) across Maharashtra, with Congress appointing 28,421.

The EC told the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, "We presume that any issue regarding conduct of elections would have already been raised through election petitions filed in the competent court of law (high court) by the INC candidates."

The poll authority added, "However, if you still have any issues, you are welcome to write to us and the Commission is also willing to meet you in person at a mutually convenient date and time to discuss all issues."