CEC says cannot allow dead, permanently migrated persons to be on voters' list

Poll panel says don't make baseless allegations

- OUR CORRESPONDENT

NEW DELHI: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday launched a sharp attack on the Election Commission of India (ECI), alleging "cheating" in a Karnataka constituency during last year's Lok Sabha polls.

His strong criticism of the poll body drew a measured response from the Election Commission as a spokesperson wondered as to why such "baseless and threatening allegations are being made against the CEC and that too now." Gandhi warned the poll authority that it will not get away with this "because we are going to come for you." He claimed the Congress has "concrete, 100 per cent proof" that the EC allowed cheating in a constituency in the southern state during the Lok Sabha polls 2024.

Responding to Gandhi's statement, the EC said it is "highly unfortunate" that rather than filing an election petition in accordance with section 80 of the Representation of the People Act, or if filed, awaiting the verdict of the high court, he has not only made "baseless allegations" but also "chosen to threaten" a constitutional body.