 |
|
The electoral landscape of India witnessed a flurry of activity on Sunday as both the Congress-led INDIA bloc and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) dispatched delegations to the Election Commission (EC). These tit-for-tat moves were prompted by the release of exit polls on Saturday, which predicted a resounding victory for the BJP in the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections.
The Congress-led delegation, led by senior party leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi, urged the EC to prioritize the counting of postal ballots and declare their results before revealing the outcome of EVM counting. This demand stems from the Opposition's concerns about the potential manipulation of EVMs (Electronic Voting Machines). The delegation also sought clear guidelines and their strict implementation during the counting process.
In a countermove, the BJP delegation, comprising Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, submitted a memorandum to the EC. The delegation expressed concerns about attempts by certain political parties and civil society groups to undermine the integrity of India's electoral process. They alleged that these entities were engaged in a systematic effort to discredit the results of the elections.
The BJP delegation highlighted the exit polls, which projected a significant victory for the ruling alliance, potentially surpassing the ambitious target of 400 seats. They urged the EC to ensure robust security measures to prevent any violence or unrest on June 4, the day of the official results announcement.
The delegation led by Goyal further alleged that the Opposition was rattled by the prospect of a massive mandate for the BJP. They accused the Opposition of dismissing the exit poll results as an attempt to justify rigging and engaging in psychological games to demoralize their workers.
The exchange between the two delegations underscores the high stakes involved in the upcoming election results. The Congress and its allies have consistently raised concerns about the fairness of the electoral process, while the BJP has vehemently defended the integrity of the EC and the EVMs.
The EC, as an independent body, is tasked with ensuring free and fair elections. Its decisions and actions in the coming days will be closely scrutinized by all parties involved. The outcome of the elections will have far-reaching implications for the political landscape of India.
Source: Day after exit polls, BJP, Congress send delegations to EC in tit-for-tat moves