Formally write to us on Maharashtra ‘rigging’, EC babus dare Rahul Gandhi | India News

NEW DELHI: Election Commission officers on Sunday challenged Congress’ Rahul Gandhi to follow-up on his claims of “rigging” in 2024 Maharashtra meeting elections by formally writing to the ballot panel, saying solely then can it supply a proper, point-by-point rebuttal of his “baseless allegations”.“It is very strange that even after 24 hours have passed, Rahul has neither written any letter to EC nor sought time with it to air his grievances,” mentioned a senior EC functionary. “It is public knowledge that a constitutional body like EC cannot respond formally to allegations unless they are raised or communicated to it directly,” the functionary added.Also learn: ‘Maharashtra polls have been match-fixed, Bihar subsequent,’ alleges Rahul GandhiRahul, chief of opposition in Lok Sabha, on Saturday hit out at EC after it rejected his allegations of “rigging” in Maharashtra elections in an Op-Ed. He had mentioned the ballot was a “blueprint for rigging democracy”and alleged that this “match-fixing” would subsequent occur in Bihar and “then anywhere BJP is losing”.The EC functionary mentioned the ballot physique is intrigued that Rahul, on one facet, says that the problems raised by him with respect to Maharashtra elections are very severe, “but when it comes to putting them down in black and white to EC, he shies away”.It was urged that Rahul was presumably greatly surprised by a “truthful and factual, point-by-point rebuttal given by EC once again on Saturday”. EC had earlier clarified the exact same points with full details and figures in a word in its response to Congress dated Dec 24, 2024, and once more by means of the media on April 22, 2025.“Rahul, through his Op-Ed article, ended up criticising booth level agents (BLAs), polling agents and counting agents appointed by his own party or its candidates, in Maharashtra. His baseless accusations have disrespected 10.5 lakh BLAs, 50 lakh polling officers and one lakh counting supervisors appointed by EC nationwide, by questioning their integrity and hard work,” mentioned an officer.As per EC directions, footage from CCTV cameras of polling stations can at all times be scrutinised by the competent excessive courtroom in any election petition. However, the footage isn’t shared with the general public or political events by EC to defend the integrity of elections and the privateness of voters. “Does the LoP not trust even the high court now?” requested the officer.EC sources mentioned the fee had, as a part of its consultations with nationwide and state events on all election-related points, invited Congress for a gathering on May 15, 2025. “But it developed cold feet and requested for some more time,” shared the officer.