EC rejects 'slow counting' charges of Congress in Haryana, calls them 'ill-founded allegations'
- In Reports
- 04:13 PM, Oct 08, 2024
- Myind Staff
The Election Commission stated on Tuesday that the election counting was being conducted as per rules in response to Congress leader Jairam Ramesh's memo expressing concern over an "unexplained slowdown in updating of results" from the Haryana Assembly election on its website.
The EC said in a statement, “With reference to your today’s memorandum regarding a slowdown in updating of results of Haryana on the ECI website, it is reiterated that the entire counting process in Haryana and J&K is unfolding in the presence of candidates, observers and micro-observers as per the statutory scheme.”
“There is nothing on record to substantiate your ill-founded allegation of slowdown in updating of results. Your memorandum also does not bring out any contrary facts as to the delay at any of the constituencies in Haryana or J&K,” it added.
The Election Commission had received a letter earlier on Tuesday from the Congress general secretary in charge of communications, Jairam Ramesh in which he complained about the sluggish updates coming in from the counting centres. The Election Commission noted that the party had expressed a similar worry during the June 4 Lok Sabha vote counting. In response, the Commission stated that the counting was being done in accordance with Rule 60 of the Conduct of Election Rules.
The Commission claimed that the results displayed the rate of counting on its results webpage. “Approximately 25 rounds across all the constituencies are being updated every five minutes, which testifies dissemination of counting process in a speedy manner…the Commission unequivocally rejects your attempt to surreptitiously give credence to irresponsible, unfounded and uncorroborated malafide narratives,” wrote the Election Commission.
Sources within the EC claim that no candidate or counting centre has complained to the Commission about the process of counting. Election agents or the candidates themselves must be present during the whole counting process, as per Rule 60 of the 1961 Conduct of Election Rules.
Rule 60 of the Conduct of Election states: “The returning officer shall, as far as practicable, proceed continuously with the counting and shall, during any intervals when the counting has to be suspended, keep the ballot papers, packets and all other papers relating to the election sealed with his own seal and the seals of such candidates or election agents as may desire to affix their seals and take sufficient precaution for their safe custody during such intervals.”
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