Cong slams ECI over reply to EVM questions

In an escalating exchange between the party and the Election Commission of India (ECI), the Congress has expressed deep dissatisfaction with what it described as the ECI's "dismissive and condescending" response to serious allegations of irregularities in Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in Haryana's recent assembly elections.

- NEERAJ MOHAN CHANDIGARH

The latest letter from the Congress, signed by prominent leaders such as KC Venugopal, Ashok Gehlot, Bhupinder Hooda, Ajay Maken, Abhishek Manu Singhvi, and others, highlights multiple grievances and takes aim at the tone and handling of their complaints by the electoral body.

The issue began when Congress filed a complaint, listing specific irregularities in EVMs across 20 constituencies in Haryana, citing issues they believe compromised the fairness of the election process. The ECI, however, responded on October 29, dismissing the complaints as "baseless, misplaced, and devoid of facts."

The Congress's rebuttal, issued just days later, accuses the Commission of shirking its responsibilities by issuing a "clean chit" to itself instead of addressing the party's concerns substantively.