Why is Congress Requesting Voter Lists and Poll Footage from the EC for Maharashtra and Haryana Elections?
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Synopsis
Discover why the Congress party is pushing for transparency in the upcoming elections by demanding access to voter lists and polling footage from the Election Commission. Their concerns shed light on electoral integrity and raise questions about sudden voter increases in Maharashtra and Haryana.
Key Takeaways
- Congress demands transparency in the electoral process.
- Request for voter lists and polling footage highlights serious concerns.
- Sudden increase in voters raises questions about electoral integrity.
- Communication with the Election Commission has been ongoing since December 2024.
- Congress emphasizes the need for a credible investigation into voter registrations.
New Delhi, June 26 (NationPress) The Congress party has called upon the Election Commission of India (ECI) to supply machine-readable digital versions of the voter lists for the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections and the subsequent Vidhan Sabha elections, especially in Maharashtra and Haryana. Additionally, the party is requesting polling day video footage for both states.
“This has been a persistent request that should be straightforward for the EC to fulfill,” stated Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera on X on Thursday, urging that the materials be provided within a week.
In a correspondence sent to the EC, the party noted that it has established a specialized group to handle election-related matters and referenced the Commission’s June 12 letter to Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, offering a meeting to address concerns regarding the Maharashtra assembly polls.
“Since December 2024, through numerous letters, petitions, press conferences, and speeches in Parliament, we have expressed significant worries about the sudden, substantial increase in voters during the Maharashtra 2024 assembly elections -- particularly the inexplicable rise in polling after 5 p.m.,” the letter articulated.
Highlighting the EC’s own statistics, Congress pointed out that the number of new electors added between the Lok Sabha elections in May and the assembly elections in November 2024 surpassed the total additions made in the previous five years combined.
“This phenomenon has never occurred before and is illogical. Who are these new voters, and where did they originate?” the letter questioned.
The party stressed that any credible investigation must initiate with a comparison of the final electoral rolls of the two elections -- a request it claims has remained unanswered for seven months.
“Rather than simply providing the voter lists, the EC has opted for media leaks, evasive responses, and accusations,” the letter further stated.
“Do you or do you not have these lists? Failing to share polling day footage only heightens public skepticism,” the letter added.
The letter criticized the Commission’s previous responses as unhelpful, accusing it of diverting from fundamental issues by citing procedural justifications or asserting that the lists were shared with individual candidates.
“The Congress leadership would be glad to meet with the Commission after receiving the requested documents, and we will present our findings during that meeting,” it concluded.
Point of View
My perspective aligns with the need for transparency in electoral processes. The Congress party's demands reflect a broader concern for electoral integrity, which is vital for maintaining public trust in democratic institutions. It is essential that the Election Commission addresses these requests promptly to uphold the democratic principles our nation stands for.
NationPress
26/06/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Congress requesting from the Election Commission?
Congress is requesting machine-readable digital copies of voter lists and polling day video footage for the 2024 elections in Maharashtra and Haryana.
Why does Congress believe there is a sudden surge in voters?
They have raised concerns about an inexplicable increase in voters, particularly after 5 p.m., during the Maharashtra assembly elections.
How long has Congress been requesting this information?
Congress has been making requests regarding this information since December 2024 and claims to have not received a response for seven months.
What does Congress believe is necessary for a credible investigation?
They believe that a comparison of the final electoral rolls from both elections is essential for a credible investigation.
What criticisms have been directed at the Election Commission?
Congress has criticized the EC for not sharing the voter lists and opting for media leaks and evasive responses instead.
