Is Stealing Not a Sin but Calling Someone a Thief? Opposition Critiques EC on Authentication Appeal
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Synopsis
The Congress-led opposition has rebuked the Election Commission for its request to validate claims of vote tampering through affidavits. They have labeled the Commission's media briefing on the Bihar Special Intensive Revision as mere theatrics. This clash raises questions about transparency and accountability in the electoral process.
Key Takeaways
- Opposition's Critique: Strong backlash against the Election Commission's handling of vote tampering claims.
- Media Briefing Dispute: Opposition dismisses the Commission's media address as ineffective.
- Concerns Over Transparency: Questions raised about the Commission's impartiality.
- Privacy Allegations: Accusations of privacy breaches regarding voter information.
- Public Confidence: Potential impact on voter trust in electoral processes.
New Delhi, Aug 17 (NationPress) Opposition parties led by Congress have strongly criticized the Election Commission on Sunday for its request to substantiate their claims about "vote chori" by submitting a supporting affidavit. They also dismissed the detailed media briefing regarding the Bihar Special Intensive Revision (SIR) as mere window dressing.
During a press conference in the capital, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, accompanied by senior EC officials, stated that there were intentional efforts to instill fear and mislead the voters of Bihar, allegedly by opposition parties. He added that this fearmongering would not prevent the Commission from adhering to and enforcing established protocols.
In response to the CEC's statements, Congress accused the Commission of bias towards the ruling party, while the RJD contended that the explanations provided were lacking in substance.
Congress leader Pawan Khera, in a pointed reply, remarked: "Is stealing not a sin, but labeling someone a thief is? Cease the theft, and we will stop accusing you of thievery. Why has no one accounted for the one lakh votes from Mahadevapura?"
He further alleged a violation of privacy, stating: "(BJP leader) Anurag Thakur is in possession of digital voter lists from six constituencies—where did he obtain them? Isn’t that a breach of privacy? Did the Election Commission issue any notice? No. But regarding CCTV footage, it’s suddenly a privacy issue..."
RJD MP Manoj Kumar Jha expressed, "No questions were addressed. Not a single query was answered. Perhaps someone advised them to hold this press conference as it was turning awkward. What was the outcome? Which questions did they actually resolve? Forget the political parties—the voters are unconvinced by your demeanor and actions."
"Logic cannot justify opacity. Opacity signifies a lack of transparency. The most alarming issue is that the Election Commission appears neither impartial nor neutral. This should raise serious concerns for everyone involved."
Purnia MP Pappu Yadav stated, "The EC lacks comprehension of the Constitution or Babasaheb’s (B.R. Ambedkar) philosophies. After engaging in theft and robbery, will they discuss the Constitution?"
Point of View
The ongoing tension between opposition parties and the Election Commission highlights a significant concern regarding electoral integrity. The allegations of bias and lack of transparency warrant a thorough examination and could have lasting implications on public confidence in democratic processes.
NationPress
09/10/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main concerns raised by the opposition?
The opposition is primarily concerned about the Election Commission's perceived bias towards the ruling party and the lack of transparency in its actions.
How did the Election Commission respond to the accusations?
The Election Commission claimed that there were deliberate attempts to mislead voters and stated that such fearmongering would not deter their commitment to electoral protocols.
What specific allegations were made regarding privacy breaches?
Congress leader Pawan Khera alleged that BJP leader Anurag Thakur possessed digital voter lists, questioning the source of this information.
What did RJD MP Manoj Kumar Jha say about the press conference?
Manoj Kumar Jha criticized the press conference, stating that no questions were adequately addressed and that voters are not convinced by the Commission's conduct.
How did Pappu Yadav describe the Election Commission's understanding of the Constitution?
Pappu Yadav suggested that the Election Commission lacks a proper understanding of the Constitution and its principles.
